2 Chronicles 7:1 – His Wrath Diverted

Daily Devotions Bible Verse

As soon as Solomon finished his prayer, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. (2 Chronicles 7:1 ESV)

The Temple, the dwelling place of the Lord, was being consecrated by king Solomon, the wisest man of his day. At the end of his prayer, and in the presence of the people of Israel, fire rushed from heaven engulfing the offering and sacrifices in heavenly flame. This display of power awed every person present and sent them to their faces, bowing before the mighty one of Israel. This scene would echo again, some thousand years later, as Jesus hung on the cross, for “it was the will of the Lord to crush him,” (Isaiah 53:10). His burning wrath toward the sin of man was poured out upon Jesus, and he diverted, or propitiated that righteous wrath from us. We are now reconciled to the Father through the Spirit by the blood of his Son. Jesus, as our substitute was “made…to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21), and be made alive as the new “living stones” (I Peter 2:5) of his church.

Thank Jesus today for taking the wrath you deserved.