I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading. I had been using One Year Bible Online, but it was time for a change.

Today, I am reading and commenting on 2 Chronicles 5-7.

    This passage contains an account of Solomon’s dedication of the Temple which is very similar to the one found in 1 Kings. As part of that dedication Solomon asked God to listen when people repented of their sins, faced the Temple, and called out to Him. I remember reading that in 1 Kings and noting that Solomon asked God to accept foreigners who turn to Him. What I do not remember noticing is that in God’s reply, while He says that He will indeed listen and respond when people repent of their sins and cry out to Him, He makes no mention of them facing the Temple when they do so. On the other hand, God does tell Solomon that He has chosen the temple and set it apart to be holy. However, God also warned Solomon and the people that if they, or their descendants were to fail to obey His commands and decrees, He would bring destruction on the city and the Temple. Destruction which would serve as an object lesson to people for all time. Even today, Jerusalem serves as an object lesson, both to God’s love for His people and for what happens when they fail to follow His commands.