Day 12 Reviewed

2 Chronicles 7 - Ezra 10

• Solomon

     Ooooh, let's talk about Solomon for a while, shall we!? I have really enjoyed reading about this man! As I mentioned before, he had such a heart for his people, and for wanting them to KNOW the true and living God!! It's almost like God and Solomon were a team, desiring the repentant hearts of the people.

"My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray, and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. Now my eyes shall be open and My ears attentive to the prayer offered in this place. For now I have chosen and consecrated this house that My name may be there forever, and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually." (2 Chronicles 7:14-16)

     Solomon was at ease in his heart with his God and wanted all the people to live in that same peace and blessing.
     As Solomon was having the majestic, intricate temple built, he was visited by the Queen of Sheba who had heard about his "fame." When she came to Solomon, "she spoke with him about all that was on her heart," (2 Chronicles 9:1).
     All that was on her heart! What a neat way of putting it! What did this mean? It makes me think that something about what she had heard about Solomon moved her emotionally. Perhaps she wanted the peace and ease of living she saw being experienced by Solomon, and felt compelled enough to ask him for real answers. Whatever it was, Scripture says that, "Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was hidden from Solomon which he did not explain to her," (2 Chronicles 9:2).
     Nothing was hidden from Solomon which he did not explain! Solomon was confident in his God and ready and willing to share the wisdom with anyone who would inquire! What joy! What blessing!
     I feel like this sometimes. I love to share God's thoughts, desires, and intentions with people who are curious. I want them to know, understand, and experience Him! To reap the harvest of blessing in their life!!
     Solomon proves that he truly has this desire for people to know God: his people, Israel, but then, beyond that, anyone, who would seek Him out!!
     The queen calls him blessed and -- this next part amazes me -- she actually blesses him with more!! Spices, expensive stone, gold...she adds to his abundance!! And of course, the king puts it all to good use :)

• Snippets of the Kings

     To King Jehoshaphat it was said, "Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's...stand and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf," (2 Chronicles 20:15-17). And then..."And the dread of God was on all the kingdoms of the lands when they heard that the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel. So the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God gave him rest on all sides," (2 Chronicles 20:29-30).
   
     King Uzziah "continued to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding though the vision of God; and as long as he sought the Lord, God prospered him," (2 Chronicles 26:5).

     "And thus Hezekiah did throughout all Judah; and he did what was good, right and true before the Lord his God. And every work which he began in the service of the house of God in law and in commandment, seeking his God, he did with all his heart and prospered," (2 Chronicles 31:20).