READING FOR AUGUST 29, 2025: 2 CHRONICLES 7, LUKE 19, PSALM 89:19-37 2 CHRONICLES 7 This chapter continues to repeat much of the material from 1 Kings 8 but then moves ahead of it in time. It picks up the story at the point when Solomon finished his mighty prayer and the Lord’s fiery glory came down from heaven to fill the Temple. In response to this spectacular scene all Israel “bowed down on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave praise to the LORD, saying, ‘Truly He is good, truly His lovingkindness is everlasting”’ (vs. 3). Another overwhelming response to God’s work was recorded in Mark 15:39: “When the centurion, who was standing right in front of Him [Jesus], saw the way He breathed His last, he said, ‘Truly this man was the Son of God'” When we contemplate the how and why Jesus died for us, any other response is illogical. “When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of Glory died
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride.”
In this chapter the number of oxen (22,000) and sheep (120,000) listed as sacrificed in vs. 5 matches exactly the number given in 1 Kings 8:63. (Thanks go to all the scribes throughout the centuries for copying this number accurately.) Starting with verses 11, the narrative moves ahead of what we have already read in 1 Kings. The construction of the Temple and even the king’s palace, which took 13 years to build, have been completed. God then appears to Solomon with an essential message. Of course, any message from God, whether through a dream, a prophet, or our daily reading of the Bible is totally essential to our lives.
First, God said that He has heard Solomon’s prayer. What wonderful assurance. Can we also know this? Yes, if we meet one condition: “This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us” (1 John 5:14). Then God seems to prepare Solomon for some actions He might take that are not so pleasant: If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send a plague among My people” (vs. 13). This writer has sometimes heard, from people he respects, that God never causes any such natural disasters. It is hard to square that nice-sounding sentiment with this and many other scriptures that indicate otherwise.
Yet, this frightening word is not the last word: “[If] 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, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (vs. 14). But after the cross, who are God’s people?You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” (1 Pet. 2:9-10).
READING FOR AUGUST 29, 2025 CONTINUED: LUKE 19, PSALM 89:19-37
LUKE 19 Zaccheus was a short man in a culture favoring height (1 Sam. 9:2) and a rich chief tax collector who made lots of money, and enemies, collaborating with Rome. The people were upset Jesus even went to his house. Yet, this man climbed a tree, acting like a child as Jesus said in Luke 18:17; rejoiced at receiving Jesus, like the woman finding the coin in Luke 15:10; and was lavishly generous with his money, unlike the rich young ruler in Luke 18:23. He’s a model for us!
Parable of the Ten Minas. Main point—Those not growing what God gives lose what they have. Those not accepting Him as Lord perish. Who’s who—The ten slaves (doulous) are believers. (Paul was a doulous of Jesus). The nobleman is Jesus. Application—In vs. 10 Jesus’s goal is to save sinners. What does our record show for what He has given us?
The crowd in Luke’s version of the triumphal entry quotes from Psalm 118 “Blessed is the King, the One who comes in the name of the Lord.” Luke adds the word “King,” possibly to let Theophilus, his Greek patron, know that Jesus is his king as well. The next words, “Peace on heaven and glory in the highest,” show that the crowd understands that Jesus’s work on earth had ramifications in heaven. The Pharisees didn’t like this, but Jesus said that their “learned opinion” didn’t change this reality. He said even the rocks had more spiritual sense than they did. Although much has been written, Luke’s version of Jesus driving out the merchantsgives a simple reason for His action: the Temple should be a house of prayer not a place of shady business. Jesus then demonstrates a proper use by teaching there daily.
PSALM 89:19-37 These verses reflect on God’s goodness to David that reaches its fulfillment in Jesus. As you may recall, David was chosen by God when Samuel was led to review all of Jesse’s sons. David was an afterthought even to his father, just as Jesus was the stone the builders rejected who became the chief cornerstone. Samuel, representing God, anointed David King of Israel with oil, but Jesus was the promised Christ (anointed one of God) for all the world. David faced his share of evil enemies, from Goliath to Saul and even his own son Absolom. Yet, God always strengthened Him so that he was never conquered. Jesus tangled with Satan directly but, filled with the Spirit, did not fall for Satan’s deception. He set His mind on conquering sin and death at the cross. God said David would call out to Him as his Father. He would then make David His firstborn, the highest King, and establish his throne forever (vs.37). All these promises were only totally fulfilled in Jesus, the greater David, who Is the eternal King of Kings.
