At first glance, the title above probably sounds scary.
Fire is a powerful energy that is often used for cooking and warmth.
It is also something that can destroy everything in its path when not properly contained.
Biblically, the passage we’re studying together today is talking about a different fire.
It is a fire that represents and reveals the Lord to us.
As we study together, keep in mind how we should respond to the Lord today, considering the Israelites’ way of responding to fire from heaven.
Responding to Fire from Heaven | A Study of 2 Chronicles 7:1-10
7 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 And the priests could not enter the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord filled the Lord’s house.[1]
Describe Solomon using 1 Chronicles 29:21-25.
What was Solomon praying about? (See 2 Chronicles 6:12-42)
Compare what happened in the verses above with Leviticus 9:23-24.
What does this fire from heaven and the glory of the Lord filling the temple reveal about the Lord’s response to Solomon’s prayer?
3 When all the people of Israel saw the fire come down and the glory of the Lord on the temple, they bowed down with their faces to the ground on the pavement and worshiped and gave thanks to the Lord, saying, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.” [2]
Why did the people of Israel respond in this fashion? (Keep Solomon’s prayer in mind too as you answer.)
4 Then the king and all the people offered sacrifice before the Lord. 5 King Solomon offered as a sacrifice 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep. So the king and all the people dedicated the house of God.[3]
Were only 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep sacrificed to dedicate the house of God?
Why are we told about the amount of oxen and sheep offered by King Solomon? (See 1 Chronicles 29:21-25 again.)
6 The priests stood at their posts; the Levites also, with the instruments for music to the Lord that King David had made for giving thanks to the Lord—for his steadfast love endures forever—whenever David offered praises by their ministry; opposite them the priests sounded trumpets, and all Israel stood. [4]
Why does the chronicler include the phrase “for his steadfast love endures forever”? (See 2 Chronicles 6:14-15.)
7 And Solomon consecrated the middle of the court that was before the house of the Lord, for there he offered the burnt offering and the fat of the peace offerings, because the bronze altar Solomon had made could not hold the burnt offering and the grain offering and the fat. [5]
What is significant about this information?
8 At that time Solomon held the feast for seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great assembly, from Lebo-hamath to the Brook of Egypt. 9 And on the eighth day they held a solemn assembly, for they had kept the dedication of the altar seven days and the feast seven days. 10 On the twenty-third day of the seventh month he sent the people away to their homes, joyful and glad of heart for the prosperity that the Lord had granted to David and to Solomon and to Israel his people. [6]
How long were the Israelites celebrating their Lord together?
What was everyone excited about after this time of dedication and feasting?
Responding to Fire from Heaven | Personal Application
Do you identify more with Solomon, the priests, or the Israelites in this passage? Why?
What did you learn about the Lord from this passage?
How do you express your own joyfulness and gladness of heart for the blessings and presence of the Lord today?
Responding to Fire from Heaven | New Testament Connections in Acts
In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.
4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” [7]
The first book referred to is Luke’s Gospel, where he shares about Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection.
What is Jesus promising the apostles in this section?
2 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. [8]
Describe the apostle’s baptism with the Holy Spirit.
How does this relate to 2 Chronicles 7:1-10?
Peter, one of Jesus’ apostles, explains this baptism of the Holy Spirit to the crowds that observed it in Acts 2:14-41.
Read the closing statement of his explanation.
36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. [9]
How did the crowd respond?
What is your own response to fire from heaven?
Warmly,
Barbara Lynn
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[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 2 Ch 7:1–2.
[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 2 Ch 7:3.
[3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 2 Ch 7:4–5.
[4] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 2 Ch 7:5–6.
[5] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 2 Ch 7:7.
[6] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 2 Ch 7:8–10.
[7] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Ac 1:1–5.
[8] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Ac 2:1–4.
[9] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Ac 2:36–41.