The Story of God and Israel

2 Chronicles 7:11–22 LEB

And Solomon finished the house of Yahweh and the house of the king. And all that came into the heart of Solomon to do with respect to the house of Yahweh and his own house he accomplished. Then Yahweh appeared to Solomon at night and said to him, “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a house of sacrifice. When I hold back the heavens so that there is not rain, and when I command the locust to devour the earth, and if I send disease among my people, then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and will pray and will seek my face and will turn from their evil ways, then I myself shall hear from the heavens and will forgive their sins and heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer of this place. And now I have chosen and consecrated this house for my name to be there forever. My eyes and my heart will be there for all time. Now as for you, if you will walk before me as David your father walked and do according to all that I have commanded you and will keep my ordinances and judgments, then I will establish the throne of your kingdom as I promised to David your father, saying, ‘A man shall not be cut off for you from ruling over Israel.’ “But if you turn yourselves away and forsake my ordinances and my commandments which I have given before you all and will go and serve other gods and bow down to them, then I will uproot them from upon my land that I have given to them, and this house that I have consecrated for my name I will send away from before my face, and I will make it a proverb and a taunt among all the nations. And as for this house, which was exalted, all who pass by it will be appalled and will say, ‘Why has Yahweh done thus to this land and to this house?’ Then they will say, ‘Because they forsook Yahweh, the God of their ancestors, who brought them out from the land of Egypt, and they laid hold of other gods and worshiped them and served them. Therefore he has brought upon them all this evil.’ ”

Introduction: Story of use of this passage in America... https://www.powelltribune.com/stories/forged-in-faith,19670; http://frontlinesohio.com/index.php/2019/05/31/corporate-prayer-event-at-columbus-statehouse-set-for-june-4th-video/

- I question if this is a valid way to use this scripture when I read it in context...

- The Context is Deuteronomistic History..

What is and is not Deuteronomistic History?

Omri is mentioned briefly and unfavourably in the Hebrew Bible (; ). Extrabiblical sources, however, paint a picture of a dynamic and powerful figure, and he is thought by modern scholars to have been one of the most important rulers of the northern kingdom. He is known to have conquered Moab, formed an alliance with Tyre, and moved the capital of Israel from Tirzah to Samaria. As king, Omri brought stability following a period of riots and disorder. He also adopted a policy of toleration for the local Canaanite religion in hopes of reducing tensions between the Israelites and local Canaanite tribes, and that policy is believed to be the main reason why he is condemned in the Hebrew Bible as a propagator of foreign cults. - Britannica.com

21 At that time, the people of Israel were divided into two parts: half of the people went after Tibni the son of Ginath to make him king, and the other half went after Omri. 22 The people who went after Omri overcame the people who went after Tibni the son of Ginath, so that he died and Omri became king.

23 In the thirty-first year of Asa king of Judah, Omri became king over Israel for twelve years. He reigned in Tirzah six years, 24 then bought the hill of Samaria from Shemer for two talents of silver, fortified the hill, and called the name of the city Samaria that he built after Shemer, the owner of the hill. 25 But Omri did evil in the eyes of Yahweh more than all who were before him. 26 He went in all the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat and in his sins that he caused Israel to sin by provoking Yahweh the God of Israel with their idols. 27 The remainder of the acts of Omri that he did and his powerful deeds, are they not written in the scroll of the events of the days of the kings of Israel? 28 Omri slept with his ancestors, and he was buried in Samaria, and Ahab his son became king in his place.

Notice that there is mention of the Annals of the Kings, and how the Bible is not trying to share everything. - Why?

All History vs. Biblical History vs. Modern History.

Why?

The Biblical History has a purpose. It is not simply trying to re-count all of the historical facts of the history of Israel.

Modern History’s approach. Learn as many facts as we can through historical documents and archaeology in order to draw conclusions about the past. - So, Modern History will be very interested in learning more about Omri’s building programs, political policies, lifestyles, military campaigns, etc. than what the Bible seems to care about. - and they seem to have learned a lot.

On the other hand, the Bible does give a lot of material about David, and Solomon, and Ahab, and Hezekiah, whereas Modern History has been unable to piece together a lot less about these folks in the Bible. Why?

All History vs. Biblical History vs. Modern History.

Because The Bible’s primary purpose in its historical telling is to focus on how well Israel lived out the covenant of God.

Definition of Deuteronomistic History - Those books of history in the Bible whose purpose is to show Israel’s journey of obedience and disobedience to Deuteronomy (The Covenant of God), and God’s Faithfulness to the Covenant despite Israel.

Deuternomistic History shows Israel’s Inability.

This Passage is again a reminder of God’s Covenantal Blessings and Cursings from Deuteronomy.

Telling the overall story of the History Books - Timeline.

Deuternomistic History shows God’s Faithfulness.

God always provided a way towards his redemptive purpose despite Israel’s disobedience, and in someways through it.

Raising up Judges when the people humble themselves and pray.

Raising up His choice of King - David, after the people’s choice fails - Saul.

Raising up a few good kings here and there to turn the people back to him

Being patient over 800 years till the exile.

Keeping his word on Blessing and Exiling like he promised - Notice in this passage both honor his name to the nations around.

Keeping a remnant - Elijah and the 7,000 who did not bow their knee to another god. - God is someone who stays faithful and continues his love, and at the same time does not comprimise his principles....

Returning the Exiles, Rebuilding Jerusalem, and Rebuilding the Temple.

Deuternomistic History expresses the need for King Jesus.

Judges shows that a King is needed to lead the people towards God.

In this passage we see the Davidic Covenant - God promising to David that out of his line, God will establish the throne of Israel forever. - This is an unconditional covenant. God will discipline Kings who turn the people away from God, but will be all the while keeping David’s line alive for an everlasting King who would bring the people back to God.

Did you wonder how on one hand God could say his name, heart, and ears will always be at the temple, when in his next breath say he will destroy it for disobedience. How can these two statements be true - Jesus, he is the true temple.

The problem was most of these guys led God’s people away from God, and so all of Deuteronomistic History is begging for a King like David who will lead people into loving God and Loving Others.

It is only in Jesus that there is an answer to Deuternomistic History.

Israel’s disobedience is forgiven.

Abraham’s blessing to be a blessing to all nations is fulfilled.

God’s Faithfulness to his covenant is fulfilled despite disobedience.

Jesus is the true King from the Line of David who turns people back to God to lovingly devote themselves to God, and Love others.

Only Jesus is able to send the Holy Spirit to transform the heart of Israel, and us for this purpose.

How then do we read Deuteronomistic History.

Israel is us - To see our selves in God’s people, unable to be obedient to God on our own.

To see God’s Faithfulness in History to bring about his redemptive plan dispite human frailty.

To find fulfillment of both in Jesus. In Jesus humanity and God are both faithful to the Covenant.

How do use this passage?

Do not take it as a proof text, read it in its historical context.

O.T. Israel is the covenant people of God, whos purpose is to be a light to all of the nations on a land that is the crossroads of all nations. - So when the nations saw Israel’s land being blessed they can ask why? and Israel will say because we are following God. When they see Curse and the nations ask why? Israel will say, because we did not follow God.

America has no such covenant with God. We can not equate America as the People of God even if America was founded on Christian principles.

We, however, are the Church and are the people of God, and we the people of God when we are in Jesus are the temple of God, but unlike Israel, we are not tied to a land, we are scattered across many lands in the world. We, however, can pray the prayer of humility so that God’s light will shine on us, so that whatever country we are in, the people in that country can ask - Why is there something different in a good way, why do you exude peace, patients, kindness, etc? and we can say - because we follow God.

To be sure - we should pray for our country, that it would humble itself and turn to God. God will certainly bless America for doing so, and it would be a better blessing even than rain and prosperity. It will be a relationship with Jesus, the fulfillment of the longing O.T. history.

Reference the Reformed Confessions: The Reformed Confessions are statements of faith written to clarify the Gospel at times when the Church was in crisis. Heidelberg Catechism: Q&A 5, 7-14 Belgic Confession: Article 14, 17 Canons of Dort: Head I, Article 1; Head II, Articles 1-2; Heads III & IV, Article 1-6