2 Chronicles

2 Chronicles 6: Hear from heaven and forgive

Begin in prayer

Before we read Solomon's prayer in front of all Israel, let us pray ourselves. Ask God to teach us that He lives in heaven and still hears sinners, and to bring us to Christ.

I have called on you, for you will answer me, God. Turn your ear to me. Hear my speech.

Psalm 17:6

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Thank You that You hear prayer and forgive sin, and show us Jesus, who brings us to You. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Solomon turns to the people and blesses the LORD, who kept the promise He made to David. He kneels on a bronze platform before everyone and spreads out his hands toward heaven. He says there is no God like the LORD, and he asks whether God will dwell on earth. He asks the LORD to hear every prayer prayed toward the house, and to forgive. He names times of trouble, such as wrong done to a neighbor, defeat, no rain, famine and captivity. He prays for the foreigner who comes from far away. He asks the LORD to arise and not turn from His anointed.

As you read 2 Chronicles 6, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD lives in heaven, yet He hears His people's prayer and forgives.

Solomon's prayer is the longest speech in this chapter, and it was prayed in front of all Israel (verses 12 and 13). He began by praising the LORD, who had kept the promise He made to David (verses 4 to 10). Then he asked whether God would dwell on earth, since heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain Him (verse 18). Yet he asked the LORD to open His eyes toward the house and listen to prayer made there (verses 20 and 21). The rest of the prayer lists troubles, such as defeat, no rain, famine and exile (verses 22 to 39). Each time he asks the LORD to hear from heaven and to forgive (verses 25, 27, 30 and 39). He knew that Israel would sin, because “there is no man who doesn’t sin” (verse 36). This matters because it teaches God's people to pray, and to ask for forgiveness first. It shows a God who is high in heaven, and still listens to sinners who turn to Him.

How does 2 Chronicles 6 show us that the LORD lives in heaven, yet hears His people's prayer and forgives?

Solomon praised the LORD, who keeps His promises.

Solomon said the LORD had spoken with His mouth to David and fulfilled it with His hands (verse 4). The LORD had chosen Jerusalem for His name, and David to rule His people (verse 6). Solomon said, “Yahweh has performed his word that he spoke” (verse 10). He had set the ark in the house, where the LORD's covenant lay (verse 11).

Heaven cannot contain God, yet Solomon asked Him to listen.

Solomon said that heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain God (verse 18). He still asked God's eyes to be open toward the house day and night (verse 20). He asked God to listen when His people prayed toward that place (verse 21). He asked God to hear from His dwelling place, even from heaven.

Solomon asked God to hear from heaven and forgive.

He asked for forgiveness in many troubles, such as defeat, no rain and exile (verses 24 to 27 and 36 to 39). Each time he asked that people who turn to God and pray be heard (verses 24, 26 and 37). He asked God to hear the foreigner too, so that all peoples would know the LORD's name (verses 32 and 33). Solomon knew there is no man who does not sin (verse 36).

Jesus lives to bring sinners to God.

Paul says there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2 verse 5). John says that if anyone sins, there is a Counselor with the Father, Jesus Christ (1 John 2 verse 1). Solomon prayed toward a house of stone, but sinners now come to God through Jesus. He is the one who brings sinners to the Father.

Memorise

Yes, hear from your dwelling place, even from heaven; and when you hear, forgive.

2 Chronicles 6:21

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what sin do I need God to forgive, and will I ask through Jesus?

Solomon prayed, “Yes, hear from your dwelling place, even from heaven; and when you hear, forgive.” Jesus is the Counselor with the Father for those who come to Him (1 John 2 verse 1).

Solomon knew that everyone sins, and so do we. God forgives sin because a price was paid. At the cross Jesus died for His people, and by His death He paid it fully. On the third day God raised Him, and He is alive today.

So come to Him. Turn from your sin and put your trust in Jesus. Everyone who trusts Him will be forgiven, and God will listen to that person.

Parent's note

Tell your children that Solomon prayed to a God in heaven who hears and forgives, and that Jesus brings sinners to Him. Parents, verses 24 to 38 name defeat, famine and captivity, so please explain these hard words in your own way. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He hears from heaven and forgives, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

In my distress, I cried to Yahweh. He answered me.

Psalm 120:1

Father in heaven, thank You that You listen when Your people pray. Thank You for Jesus, who died for sinners and lives to plead for them. Please lead each of us to turn from sin and trust Him, and teach us to pray this week. Amen.