2 Chronicles 7:12-16 And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said to him, I have heard your prayer… I. THE SUPPOSITION OF JUDGMENTS. 1. Judgments light not on a people casually or by chance, but by the overruling command and commission of God (Job 5:6, 7). (1) Sometimes by way of dominion and absolute power. (2) Sometimes as a preparation unto intended mercy, as men plough the ground which they mean to enrich with precious seed, and carve the stone which they mean to put in the top of the building. As men put forth longest into wind and sun that great timber which must bear the greatest burden and stress of the building. (3) But most usually in a way of justice (Jeremiah 30:15; Nehemiah 9:33; Ezekiel 14:23). Personal chastisements may be for trial and exercise of faith and patience, but general and public judgments are ever in wrath and displeasure. Let us therefore labour to find out our sins by our sufferings. Chastisements never mend us till they teach us (Psalm 94:12; Micah 6:9). 2. The Lord hath variety of judgments whereby to reduce froward and stubborn sinners. God's method in these various judgments usually is — (1) He begins at the outward man, exercising a people many times with change of rods, which is ever a sign of anger in the father and stubbornness in the son. (2) He proceeds to the soul, revealing His wrath, causing guilt and fear to gripe and seize on the conscience (Psalm 51:8; Job 6:4; Proverbs 18:14). (3) Towards obdurate sinners the Lord many times deals in a more fearful manner, sealing them up under hardness of heart, a spirit of slumber, a reprobate sense, a seared conscience, etc., till destruction unawares overtake them (Matthew 24:39; Ezekiel 24:14; Hosea 4:17; Revelation 22:11). II. A DIRECTION UNTO DUTIES. Consider — 1. The quality of the persons who are to perform them: "My people that are called by My name." All men are His creatures, only a select and peculiar inheritance that bear His name and are in covenant with Him are called His people (Ezekiel 16:8; Psalm 4:3; Isaiah 43:21; Isaiah 63:18; Acts 15:14). To be called by His name noteth to be His adopted children. We are God's people — (1) By visible profession or sacramental separation from the world, as the whole nation of the Jews are called His people (Exodus 19:5; Deuteronomy 4:7). (2) By spiritual sanctification and internal dispositions (John 17:6; Galatians 6:16; Romans 2:29; Romans 9:8; Romans 11:5; Philippians 3:3). 2. The duties required for the removal of judgments. (1) Humiliation. (2) Prayer. Without this humiliation is but a sinking under God, not a seeking unto Him. (a) By this we honour God in acknowledging Him the fountain of all our good, the inflicter of all evil. As a diamond is cut only by a diamond, so God is pacified only by Himself. (b) By this we ease ourselves. Prayer lighteneth affliction where it doth not remove it. The heart is meekened to accept the punishment of sin, as wool or mud deadens the force of a bullet. (3) Seeking the face of God. His favour to comfort us, and His counsel to direct us. (4) Reformation of life. III. A GRACIOUS PROMISE OF MERCY. 1. A promise — (1) Of gracious condescension: "from heaven." (2) Of gracious audience. (3) Of forgiveness. (4) Of healing: 2. Touching these promises, observe — (1) That when God comes down to deliver, and looks from heaven, He doth it by no other way than by the Incarnation of His Son, the efficacy of His Spirit, the operation of His providence, or the ministry of angels. (2) When He hears prayers, it is only by the intercession and mediation of Christ. (3) When He forgives sins, it is only by the merits and righteousness of Christ. (4) But when He heals a land, He often useth in that work the ministry of men. Magistrates are healers and repairers (Isaiah 3:7). Ministers are healers of the sick (Ezekiel 34:4). (Edward Reynolds, D.D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice. |
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