2 Chronicles 7

2 Chronicles 7:1-3 ESV (1) As soon as Solomon finished his prayer, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple. (2) And the priests could not enter the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD filled the LORD's house. (3) When all the people of Israel saw the fire come down and the glory of the LORD on the temple, they bowed down with their faces to the ground on the pavement and worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD, saying, "For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever."

The setting is at the dedication of the first temple built by Solomon. You can read Solomon’s prayer in 2 Chron. 6. All of Israel had gathered together to dedicate and sacrifice unto the Lord. God’s response to their prayers was to rain down fire from heaven. This seems a little familiar. Where else did God respond with fire to the prayers of His people? Acts 2:1-4 ESV (1) When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. (2) And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. (3) And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. (4) And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Next we see that God’s glory filled the house, much like the Holy Spirit filled the believers gathered in the upper room. Let’s look at the Hebrew word for glory: H3519 ‫ כבוד‬/ ‫כבד‬ kâbôd BDB Definition: 1) glory, honor, glorious, abundance 1a) abundance, riches 1b) honor, splendor, glory 1c) honor, dignity 1d) honor, reputation 1e) honor, reverence, glory 1f) glory

Here we see that God’s glory includes His riches, abundance, dignity, reputation and splendor. In other words, His glory is His manifest presence. In the description of the dedication of the temple written in 1 Kings it reads: 1 Kings 8:11 ESV (11) so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD.

I have been witness to this glory once in my life – when people were unable to stand because of the glory. How I wish it were more often. I pray God would move in such power in services that everyone would be on the carpet. Glory!! The response of the people Notice please the third verse of our text. What were the first words out of the mouths of the people after seeing the fire and glory? Was it 1. 2. 3. 4.

“The priests shouldn’t be lying down, this is all too radical.” “Someone should call the fire department; I think the church is on fire.” “God doesn’t do this kind of thing anymore.” “For the Lord is good and His steadfast love endures forever!”

The response of the people to the glory of God was to praise Him for His goodness. Hearts that have been freshly kindled by the fire of the Holy Spirit and the manifested presence of God will pour out their love to God. A fresh revelation of the goodness of God comes with each encounter of His presence. God is a good God!