Today's passage is part of 2 Chronicles' story of Solomon. Solomon had built the temple, furnished it, brought in the Ark of the Covenant, blessed the people, and prayed a prayer to dedicate the temple. At the close of that prayer, Solomon invited God to His resting place. This passage picks up here, as God's glory as fire fills the temple and consumes the offerings. Fire was key throughout Israel's history, from God providing a ram for a burnt offering in place of Abraham's son Isaac (Genesis 22), to the bush that called to Moses (Exodus 3); from the pillar of fire that led the people at night (Exodus 13), to the fire that consumed the wet offering on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18). Fire can be a mark of God's glory, consuming nothing, or it can be a consuming fire that takes in offering or destroys that which is impure. We, too, who are baptized in the Spirit and fire (Luke 3.16), will be tested by fire, the result of which is worship and thanksgiving (Zechariah 13.9, 1 Peter 4.12-13, Titus 2.14, Hebrews 12.28-29). May the word of God ignite our spirit, destroy that which is sinful, and leave us refined and ready for worship through obedience to God.

2 Chronicles 7.1-3

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.”

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ What did the fire from heaven do? [v1]

+ Why could the priests not enter the house of the Lord? [v2]

+ What posture did the people of Israel take when the fire came down? [v3]

+ Why did the Israelites worship and give thanks to God? [v3]

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there a sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ What sin is God destroying in your life?

+ What worship are you doing through study of the Bible and obedience to the commandments therein?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?