The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Chronicles 7:17-20,
"As for you [Solomon], if you walk before me faithfully as David your father did, and do all I command, and observe my decrees and laws, I will... [respond in one way]... But if you turn away and forsake the decrees and commands I have given you and go off to serve other gods and worship them, then I will... [respond in a different way]"
Many today subscribe to a theology that does not allow for what the Lord told Solomon following the completion of the temple. They have the perspective that God determines all that happens. Therefore, if Solomon obeyed the Lord, the Lord made him do it. Likewise, if Solomon disobeyed the Lord, the Lord made him do it (well, not exactly - they would say that the Lord withdrew his hand which would automatically render Solomon completely compelled by his sinful nature, ensuring he would disobey the Lord.) Either way, they see it as the Lord predestining all that happens. This they postulate in an effort to preserve what they consider to be a pristine view of the total supremacy of the Lord over his creation (preserving the concept of God's transcendence in our theology).
However, that is not how the Lord's interaction with us is presented in the Scriptures. Here in this passage, the Lord takes the formula of: do this and I will respond with that, don't do this and I will respond another way. The Lord left it in Solomon's hands. Unfortunately, the second alternative eventually was taken by Solomon and everything turned out exactly as the Lord said it would for Israel. Solomon did entertain other "gods" and Israel paid dearly as the nation followed suit. "I will uproot Israel from my land, which I have given them, and will reject this temple I have consecrated for my Name. I will make it a byword and an object of ridicule among all peoples. This temple will become a heap of rubble." Verses 20-21. This is precisely what happened in 586 BC when Babylon destroyed Jerusalem and destroyed the temple. It was a different route the Lord took Israel through to accomplish what he intended in the first place, had Solomon heeded the Lord to begin with.
What we are taught in the Scriptures is that the Lord has given each of us our own will. He asks us to exercise our volition in such a way that achieves his purposes and accomplishes what he desires. The Lord's transcendent supremacy is exercised and manifested in his response to how we exercise our wills he has created us with. His response stands. His response is unalterable. His response cannot be challenged or changed. His response brings about his justice and maintains his righteousness. His response to us eventuates into what accomplishes his purposes.
Yes, the Lord will respond to the choices we make. We are told in a number of places that the Lord observes us and determines what he does as his response to the choices we make. "The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good." Proverbs 15:3. "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." Hebrews 4:13.
(Yikes!)
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
"As for you [Solomon], if you walk before me faithfully as David your father did, and do all I command, and observe my decrees and laws, I will... [respond in one way]... But if you turn away and forsake the decrees and commands I have given you and go off to serve other gods and worship them, then I will... [respond in a different way]"
Many today subscribe to a theology that does not allow for what the Lord told Solomon following the completion of the temple. They have the perspective that God determines all that happens. Therefore, if Solomon obeyed the Lord, the Lord made him do it. Likewise, if Solomon disobeyed the Lord, the Lord made him do it (well, not exactly - they would say that the Lord withdrew his hand which would automatically render Solomon completely compelled by his sinful nature, ensuring he would disobey the Lord.) Either way, they see it as the Lord predestining all that happens. This they postulate in an effort to preserve what they consider to be a pristine view of the total supremacy of the Lord over his creation (preserving the concept of God's transcendence in our theology).
However, that is not how the Lord's interaction with us is presented in the Scriptures. Here in this passage, the Lord takes the formula of: do this and I will respond with that, don't do this and I will respond another way. The Lord left it in Solomon's hands. Unfortunately, the second alternative eventually was taken by Solomon and everything turned out exactly as the Lord said it would for Israel. Solomon did entertain other "gods" and Israel paid dearly as the nation followed suit. "I will uproot Israel from my land, which I have given them, and will reject this temple I have consecrated for my Name. I will make it a byword and an object of ridicule among all peoples. This temple will become a heap of rubble." Verses 20-21. This is precisely what happened in 586 BC when Babylon destroyed Jerusalem and destroyed the temple. It was a different route the Lord took Israel through to accomplish what he intended in the first place, had Solomon heeded the Lord to begin with.
What we are taught in the Scriptures is that the Lord has given each of us our own will. He asks us to exercise our volition in such a way that achieves his purposes and accomplishes what he desires. The Lord's transcendent supremacy is exercised and manifested in his response to how we exercise our wills he has created us with. His response stands. His response is unalterable. His response cannot be challenged or changed. His response brings about his justice and maintains his righteousness. His response to us eventuates into what accomplishes his purposes.
Yes, the Lord will respond to the choices we make. We are told in a number of places that the Lord observes us and determines what he does as his response to the choices we make. "The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good." Proverbs 15:3. "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." Hebrews 4:13.
(Yikes!)
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
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