Introducing 

Prezi AI.

Your new presentation assistant.

Refine, enhance, and tailor your content, source relevant images, and edit visuals quicker than ever before.

Loading content…
Loading…
Transcript

A Prayer of Dedication:

II Chronicles 6:12-21

Context

  • Solomon summons the Israelites for a festival in Jerusalem. It is the month of the Day of Atonement and the Feast of Tabernacles.
  • The ark of the covenant is brought by the Levites from Zion (the part of Jerusalem called the city of David), to the temple. It is reverently installed in the Most Holy Place.
  • This was always David’s hope, that the ark which led the Israelites through the wilderness might finally come to rest in a permanent house for God.
  • As the priests withdraw from the Holy Place, the musicians burst into a mighty psalm of praise.
  • One hundred and twenty priests sound their rams’-horn trumpets, and the temple is filled with the cloud of God’s glory.
  • Solomon blesses the people. He praises God, who has chosen Israel to be his nation, David to be his king, Jerusalem to be his city and this temple to be his house.
  • This moment, (with the cloud of glory filling the temple), sees God’s promises fulfilled and David’s and Solomon’s dream come true.
  • The ark of the covenant, the royal line of David, the city of Jerusalem and the house of God are all brought together for the first time.
  • On a bronze platform in the temple forecourt, Solomon kneels to pray.

Andrew Knowles, The Bible Guide, 1st Augsburg books ed. (Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg, 2001), 181–182.

Observations

Observations

A Prayer of Dedication

1. His position (6:12) : Solomon spreads out his hands toward heaven.

2. His platform (6:13) : Solomon is on a bronze platform 71/2 feet square and 41/2 feet high.

3. His praise (6:14–15): Solomon worships the Lord, Israel’s unique and faithful God.

4. His petitions (6:16–39)

a. He prays for himself (6:16–21): Solomon calls on the Lord to hear his prayers in the Temple.

b. He also prays for his subjects concerning:

(1) The innocent (6:22–23)

(2) Defeat due to sin (6:24–25)

(3) Famine due to sin (6:26–31)

(4) Foreigners (6:32–33)

(5) Israel’s battles (6:34–35)

(6) Israel’s captivity (6:36–39)

5. His plea (6:40–42): Solomon asks the Lord to dwell in the Temple, where the Ark resides, to clothe the priests with salvation, to cause the people to rejoice in his goodness, and to be faithful to the king.

H. L. Willmington, The Outline Bible (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1999), 2 Ch 6:11–42.

Application

Application

  • Just as the Temple in the text is significant, Churches where christians worship are also significant in that they represent Christ's covenant with believers.
  • The place of prayer is identified with God, whose actual dwelling place is heaven.
  • Kings, rulers, presidents, all leaders bow down before God's sovereign power.
  • We should always honor God when we see the fruition of his blessings and promises in our life.
  • Sometimes the completion of God's work can span multiple generations.
  • Our prayer should be for the presence of God to dwell with us, within our house of worship.
  • The furnishings of our place of worship pale in comparison to the God we worship.
  • The house of God stands for the purpose(s) of worship, refuge, forgiveness, and healing
Learn more about creating dynamic, engaging presentations with Prezi