I hear it quoted by many American Christians, especially during election seasons: 2 Chronicles 7:14.
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 will forgive their sin and heal their land.
Attached to this verse are pleas for different groups to change their wicked ways. Sometimes it’s applied to American Christians, American politicians, American politicians who are Christians, or just America in general. Take your pick. It doesn’t matter. They’re all mistaken.
I know this may upset some well-meaning believers who have cited this verse time and again when things look morally bleak across the land they love. It’s all the more confusing when, say on social media, fellow Christians respond with a hearty “Amen,” retweet your post, or click the Like button in a spirit of solidarity. But it still doesn’t remove the fact the biblical text is being misapplied. To be direct, 2 Chron. 7:14 has nothing explicitly to do with the United States. Nothing.
How so? When in doubt, always look at a Scripture’s context. We first notice 2 Chronicles is an Old Testament book which deals with God’s original (or Old) covenant people, the Israelites. That should be a big clue as to why the USA doesn’t factor into this passage. It gets clearer as we examine the immediate context. 2 Chron. 7 follows King Solomon’s dedication of the Temple he built on behalf of Israel. Verse 12 says God spoke to Israel’s king in a dream saying Israel should obey the Lord’s covenant with them. If the Israelites do, they will enjoy the blessings of the covenant which includes a fruitfulness of the physical land itself.
Look at how Deuteronomy 28:1-6, 8 details Israel’s obedience to the old covenant and the physical blessings it entailed.
And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God. Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground and the fruit of your cattle, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock. Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out…And he will bless you in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
Clearly this is an Old Testament passage to an Old Covenant people with a call to be faithful to the Old Covenant promises in order to receive Old Covenant blessings (see a pattern here?). The King of Israel and his people are to keep covenant with Yahweh and in doing so, God will bless them, even the very land of Israel itself. 2 Chron. 7:14 is simply referring to these Old Covenant promises. Now the immediate context of v. 13 makes better sense. God says if Israel disobeys he will “shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people.” Blessing and cursing is literally tied to the land itself.
But how come American Christians don’t quote that part of the verse? In the ESV v. 13 is actually the first part of the sentence which v. 14 completes. This only demonstrates how 2 Chron. 7:14 is explictly a command and promise for Israel. They are the “my people” in context. It’s about Hebrews in ancient Israel, not modern-day Christians in America. Old Covenant people receiving Old Covenant promises, not New Covenant people receiving New Covenant promises. For the record, the Gospel of John demonstrates that for New Covenant believers, these promises and blessings are fulfilled in Jesus. Christ is the better Temple, People, sacrifice, high priest, etc. This is where, once again, Bible readers (and quoters) should understand at what stage each biblical book is in the progressive revelation of salvation history. The text at hand is Chronicles not Corinthians.
This also demonstrates that quoting 2 Chronicles 7:14 and applying it to the USA isn’t so much a historical blunder (although many would argue that as well) but a theological one. It’s mixing apples and oranges. It’s confounding two covenants that, while one builds on the other, are still different covenants – with different peoples of God that were/are dealt with in different ways by God. In the New Covenant, the church replaces ethnic Israel as God’s people. Peter refers to Christians essentially as the true Israel calling them “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession.” (1 Peter 2:9)
Removing 2 Chron. 7:14 from your quotation arsenal won’t really change much in what you hope for the United States. You can still call fellow Americans to repent of their sins. You can continue hoping and praying for a national revival where fellow citizens come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. You don’t have to remove the fact that our national history clearly had Judeo-Christian moorings in its founding. You also can continue to love America and think it’s a special place – one blessed by God. All of those things can still be true without quoting 2 Chron. 7:14. The only difference is you won’t be using the Bible incorrectly.
…and don’t get me started on Phil. 4:13. 😉
57 thoughts on “Stop Quoting 2 Chronicles 7:14 for the USA”
Amen.
I agree that it’s inappropriate to apply this verse In a blanket way for the USA. However, wouldn’t it be appropriate to apply it to believers? I’ve been preaching through Ephesians, and Paul keeps hammering that we have been adopted as children of God, fellow heirs with Christ, and members of the same household.
So, then, wouldn’t we qualify as “My people who are called by my name?” I think it’s an abuse to use 2 Chr. 7:14 as a blanket call to repentance for our nation, as you pointed out, there are plenty of other verses to use to do that same thing (I.e., John the Baptist’s redundant call to “Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand). But, would it be appropriate to use the verse in a prayer gathering in order to call believers to repentance?
Just a question I’ve been mulling over since reading your post. If I’m wrong, so be it. My wife assures me it wouldn’t be the first time. I can still do all things Tim Tebow can through Christ who gives me strength. ?
If you can not see beyond the Physical than you cannot see the spiritual Logic and principal, Nor if you do not have the Holy Spirit of God than you will not be able to Discern what inspiration is needed. if you understand spiritual Principal that you would understand that this scripture reference can and may be used for the hope in Americas national saving grace. I almost feel as though most think we are a “righteous” nation, and i do not agree, i feel maybe we have become a “self-righteous” nation and i believe the Abomination that leads to desolation is tainting our country, and if we do not repent of our national sins as a country who claims to be “under God” than we will parish same as other nations and empires such as Sodom and Gomorrah.. So i advise all to only focus on yourself, and let the Lord advise what the Lord discerns necessary. I could be wrong, but i am confident that my opinion will glorify God being the intent is humble and sincere concern for us all, not to argue words… (as the bible also stated). We need peace love and harmony not further division and strife.. if your intent is to glorify God than great, but we must remember to have faith in God, and not to lean unto our own understandings.
May peace and love be with you always, Take care
That’s like saying to stop quoting any verse in the Old Testament because it was meant for the Israelites…
Actually Georgina it’s nothing like the case. Unless you follow every OT prescription, you probably don’t even practice what you’re saying. More accurately, it’s like saying stop applying the OT directly to the USA when it was meant for God’s original covenant people. Pretty simple.
The verse is worded in a broad manner and its meaning can certainly be applied to any country. It makes perfect sense that any nation collectively seeking after Yahweh’s heart will be protected by His Spirit.
Sad. Everything you say is wrong. Or maybe since the Bible’s about a bunch of old dead people, times & places, that it’s irrelevant to today. The New Testament explains why the Old Testament is relevant to all people of all time. Jesus said He didn’t come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it & to keep the Commandments. We were all brought into the New Covenant, thru the receiving of the Holy Spirit and all who believe in Christ, can inherit the Kingdom of Heaven…which is “neither here nor there, but within us”..here & hereafter. Jesus Himself never did or said anything without stating “It is written…” It’s explained in the NT that Paul’s purpose was to bring Gentiles into covenant with the Jews…in Romans 11 it’s also clear that we’re also to bring Christ to the Jews & if we don’t, we may well lose our own Salvation. We are interdependent upon each other. We are never to change “even one tittle” of The Gospels..both New & Old Testaments would be included, as the New Testaments were being written after Christ’s earthly life & death & Jesus was talking about all the prophets and their prophesies, including the Torah, lst 5 books of the Bible, especially…which we modern folks should be happy of, as it assured/s us that there’s not been even a slight variance of what was written & the fact that the Jews spread out worldwide and still honor those commands, is what verifies “The Word” still is as it was thousands of yrs ago. I suppose according to what you’re saying…tho I don’t believe you realize it, is that the Bible is just what the new generations are saying it is, a relic to be relegated to the dustbin of history. But, there’s much wisdom in the saying that “Those who forget history are destined to repeat it” and that it’s so apparent today that history is doing just that, because we have neglected to teach our children well and by apathy and neglect have been instrumental in the moral decay and decline of so-called “modern” society, by ignoring the Bible’s warnings, as old-fashioned & irrelevant, as well as doing the same with our founding documents, which were based of Biblical principles and precepts, regardless of those Liberals who would deny the facts & even want to banish all tradition & the values based upon them. The Bible is to give us the examples of what happens when people stray from the straight & narrow, committing sins that have been committed since the beginning of time, as there’s “Nothing new under the sun” & there won’t be. The same old sins committed by new people, with foolish ideas that “this is now & that was then”. And your fueling the fires of damnation with the ridiculous notion that the OT covenants are null & void is absolute poppycock…& dangerous! The Bible is an intricately woven tapestry, ALL of it pertinent to us now & to future generations…those who remain, to read it.
Is not each and every Beatitude an extension of the spoken word of God to his people as in 2 Chronicles 7:14, as well as the woes of the new testament and curses of 2 Chr 7:15 similar in scope? Both are the spoken word and both are not only tied to the land, but also to God’s Kingdom and the hearts of his people.
One cannot pray without humility, or seek God without humility and prayer, or repent without humility, prayer and seeking God first. For those beings who are fallen, this is incomprehensible; it cannot be accepted and cannot be understood.
Mark 4:26-29: He said, “This is how it is with the kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come.
Luke 17:21 and no one will announce, ‘Look, here it is,’ or, ‘There it is.’ For behold, the kingdom of God is among (within) you.”
Matthew 18:20: For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.
Ironic, How to Stop a Church Bully ad just below this article.
I went online looking for colorful, attention-grabbing memes to share with a Facebook post regarding this verse. Imagine my shock (and curiosity) seeing this blog post in the middle of them all. Hence, this was less a teaching tool than an “I have a new book coming out soon” clickbait.
Lets humble our hearts and repent. Maybe God in his infinite love and grace will heal our hearts and lead us to a higher life where nationality, social status and skin color don’t matter. Lets focus all our energy in growing to all things into Christ until we achieve the stature, measure and fulness of Christ. Until we achieve that we should continue repenting and changing our ways. God bless you all.
I believe verse 13 and 14 are for God’s people. Look at the world today God shut up the heavens during the fire of Australia. The locus in East Africa and Middle East and moving up. Now the coronavirus that is world wide. God is telling us to repent. Not just one place or just the Jews but all across the world all of his people. The time is now.
Believers are adopted and grafted into the Vine. The OT is revealed in the New Testament. Any believer in any land can pray this with humility and repentance. Any believer can ask God to clear his/her heart and pray with purity to God. Using His own words to pray to Him is surely powerful and meaningful.
If you go to verse 13 if I shut up the heavens and there be no rain. Look at all the fires with no rain for months. Like California and Australia. Now the locust they are destroying east Africa and the middle East and moving very fast toward Asia. Now this Coronavirus, I know it’s not a plague because we know know where it came from but still it’s just something to look at. Jesus said he didn’t come to do away with the law but to fulfil it. We are all God’s children through Jesus Christ. Now I know this doesn’t go for American but it goes for the world and all of God’s children. We all need to get our hearts ready something is about to happen. God is given the signs are we going to get right or not.
Jonathan Rhymer… You are spot-on. This verse, 2Chron 7:13-15, amonst others, has been heavy on my heart. And relevant. I was soo relieved to see a “real-time” response to this blog..considering our current times. I have felt the same impression from our Lord for many months. And everything you mention I have been seeing for myself too. This time were in, presently, is a unique (to say the least) experience. Almost like a time-out…All heads uP…group huddle..remove distractions…so that we can clear away the droth and see from God’s perspective. His Game Plan : to humble ourselves…to pray…to seek His face… Thus, repent. It’s like we’re at a crossXroads.. Hot or Cold..not luke warm. As much as I would like to see a healing in our lands around the globe, I would hope that it starts and continues with a healing in our hearts. Spirit filled /Spirit led. CHRIST centered. All in His timing. 😉
BTW: Larry.. your statement, too, IS very powerful. For God’s Word is alive n well n relevant for all people whom are willing to humbly repent. Ask, seek and knock…receive. Through Christ’s way. To God’s denomination. 😉
Satan has fooled you!
You are incorrect my friend. All Scripture is God breathe and does apply to all nations, all people and to Jew and gentile. May God reveal Himself to you.
What a foolish assertion–That the promises of the Old Testament can’t be appropriated by the believers in the New. The entire Bible is a “chronicle” not only of God’s love for His people, but is also “His Story”–Get it? History. Jesus came to sinful humanity to fulfill the Old Testament–the Law and the Prophets, not to nullify them!
Jesus came to fulfil the & not to annul the law.Every christian is bound by biblical laws.Corona virus is a warning to people of this world to repent.Old & New Testament can’t be seperated.In fact,they r integrated.R there any provisions in the bible for abominations like homosexuality,gay-marriage,dating,polygamy,lesbianism,adultery,fornication & divorce.Even the animals do not indulge homosexuality.People have become drunkard.Unless christians repent worser days r ahead.we r called to be holy because God is holy.It’s unfortunate that so many christian nations have legalised above mentioned abominations.God can not be a spectator over sodomy.It’s time for humanity to repent from wicked ways & seek God thru Jesus.
Beyond Sad. We need real Christians. That are not afraid to warn the World. That what Jesus put in the Holy Bible is the truth. And that Hell is very hot. And you don’t want to go there. We also need Christians that understand what he said in the book of Revelations 22:19. People need to stop trying to do wrong and break his Commandments. And make ways to justify what he said is wrong as right! This is exactly why the COVID-19 pandemic is going on. Let’s make it make sense!
Sad you don’t see the big picture. In this portion of scripture, it does not matter if it is O.T or N.T. It is about the sin and heart of those that serve God. Just because Paul in the N.T wrote to the Philippians does not mean it was for them only. The inspired Word of God is spirit-breathed and has been given so we learn to love the Lord and others. If Americans do not humble themselves and do not pray then do you think God will heal their land? Every believer around the world should put this in motion. Our world (Land) needs healing.
If God points to a verse in scripture and says, “Do this”, or “This applies to this situation,” who are we to say, “Oh no Lord, that doesn’t fit the context”?
The viewpoint of this blog post seems to be about the importance of
context.
What if the same line of thinking was applied to the Old Testament verses that Jesus quoted?
Would anyone say that Jesus misappropriated any of the verses he quoted?
1 Corinthians 10:11 and 2 Timothy 3:16 seem to be very applicable to the situation that Dr. Yancey C. Arrington is writing about.
These are the preachers today sadly who brings false teachings to destroy the faith of the believers… I agree that above verse found to be applicable to all believers according to 2 Tim 3:16 and Romans 15:4….
Both the context and heart of this scripture points us to the central source of the pain that all societies, cultures and countries experience…sin. This truth applies to all of us, all the time. God will not hear our prayers for healing until we are willing to confess our sins and choose to live lives changed by the shed blood of Christ.
I agree…?? Lets also stop quoting Exodus 20 because obviously this is for the Hebrew people, we should also negate the book of Genesis and Psalms and the all the rest of OT Scripture ( in and out of context) for these books were written by Hebrews for Hebrews… unless Jesus Himself quoted them they are not to be part of our Christian theology, doctrine or teaching…HOW ABSURD. Of course this was speaking to the Hebrews but this is THE WORD OF GOD (or so we say) I have heard this argument from Jewish Scholars as well, but The word of God is applicable to all because it is the word of God
This kind of pseudo-intellectualism is what I call “A Rationale For Impotence.” The world goes to hell while the church spends its time finding reasons not to seek renewal and relevancy. 2CHR7:14!
What? I know people who hold fast to this as their life verse. I understand the whole thing about taking a scripture out of context and all… however, if God would say this to Israel why would he not give the same “deal” if you will to his children in 2020? God is showing His character in this scripture, and as we all know,His character never changes.
You write “Stop Quoting 2 Chronicles 7:14 for the USA”
Can you share with us verses or scripture that we should use to encourage people to pray for our nation and leaders and for God to bless our nation?
That would be very helpful.
Thank you.
Well that’s true it applied to Israel, but Christians are also God’s people. So I won’t stop quoting it for the good ole U.S.A.
If the Old was good enough,faultless, perfect, free from imperfection, whatever your favorite translation says, there would be no need for a Second or the New. HEBREWS 8:7. Are we under a New Covenant or Old? If you like or insist (especially to pastors) on keeping any part of the old Law, i.e tithing, are you not still required to keep the whole law?
“If my people with humble themselves and turn from their wicked ways” My question is, “How humble?” And how would I ever discern how I am doing? We are not even sure of our wicked ways, is it smokin’, drinkin’, lustin’, when I consider my judgements, my negativity at times and even hatred (defined as, “I have no need of you”) how would I ever do it good enough? Thank God for Jesus Christ who erased all the guess work, all the striving to be better Christians. No, the Old Covenant is now obsolete, done, out, replaced by the new. Still important of course, so important that Jesus came and had fulfill all of it for us, then fold it up like an old letter and file it away. We now live under the blood of Jesus, not our performance and not out of the old agreements, “If you do this (law) I will do that!” In Christ all the law has been fulfilled, we are set free, we have the power of The Holy Spirit in our lives and the only life left in the restrictions of the Old are how we often make it into an idol, thinking we can keep the law perfectly. Think of it this way, “Let us all join Christ and be led by The Holy Spirit as he heals our (not land) but our hearts. There is another Kingdom and it’s not America and there is another King and He is not The President of the United States.
There is nothing wrong with praying any scripture to the Lord, asking Him to apply it as He deems appropriate. It is HIS will be done. We pray other scriptures all the time, because the Lord tells us to do so, He loves to hear His words repeated back to Him. He tells us He wants to hear from us. If we never prayed scripture we would be disobedient. Just always remember it is HIS will, not ours. It never hurts us to ask Him to apply it for other purposes, as long as we understand it is His Will Be Done.
Since when does God’s word stop having meaning just because the original scripture came from the Old Testament? I mean, the entire Bible was written BEFORE any of us were born, so why should we follow any of it?
This verse DOES in fact apply to the United States, as well as every other country. All we have to do is break it down. “If MY people” referring to God’s chosen people, aka Christians, “will HUMBLE themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways then I will hear them and will heal their land”. It is very evident that the US is full of very prideful people who needs lessons in humility. We as Christians should be on our knees night and day crying out to God. His judgment and wrath are coming, and signs of his turning His back on us are EVERYWHERE, but we’ve become so engrossed with modern day Babylon that we sweep these things under the rug. God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow … and His word never changes. The fact that anyone would say that a verse doesn’t apply to the United States simply because it was included in the Old Testament is absurd.
Very interesting discussion! While we are well aware of the differences between the OT and the NT, the message of 2 Chronicles 7:14 is as relevant for we Christians today as it was for the Israelites those many years ago. Surely humility, prayerfulness, seeking God’s face, and repentance do lead to our healing as individuals and then to that of our land. These are timeless principles!
Mr Yancey,
The problem with your article is that you choose to apply the erroneous “replacement theology” to Israel and therefore, attempt to make Old Testament teaching irrelevant today. I do not believe that the Church has replaced Israel in the New Covenant. The Church and Israel are both still a very important part of God’s plan. All believers in Jesus will reap the rewards of God’s promises if we follow his commands. Obviously, the US is not mentioned because it did not exist in that day. Obviously, no Christians would pray for the curse because we hope for the blessing, not the curse. By the way, the pilgrims were predominantly Jewish families that were being persecuted in England, and looking to establish a new land with religious freedom. The Queen did not finance Christopher Columbus’s trip to America like we were told in elementary school, it was financed by a Jewish man in England who had been forced to convert to Catholicism. Interesting topic if you research it, instead of accepting what you are told to believe at face value.
Ummm… no. It’s a Godly principle and can–and should–be appealed to in all sorts of situations around the world. No rational person denies that the original context was not “America.” Turn to God and, by His grace, position yourself for His mercy and blessing. The bit of the context that you–and most people–miss in situations like these is not the historical context of the subjects but the eternal context of the unchanging Lord. It is faithful and Christian to assume that turning to God is what all people should do, and it’s more than reasonable to assume that God may chose to meet that repentance with blessing.
As just a Christ follower (meaning not a theologian or biblical scholar) how can it ever be wrong to ask the Lords people to humble themselves, ask for forgiveness and healing of their nation? I won’t stop quoting that scripture or any other that points to the Lord and His mercy and our need to pray.
If My people! 2 Chron 7:14, If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Gal 3:23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
25 *But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
26 *For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
27 *For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28 *There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 *And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Ro.3:4 4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.
Matthew 7:1-5 1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.
6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
last
9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Can we touch and agree that prayer is the answer that prayer availeth much! Can we agree that prayer is the answer! Then let’s start there pray that we all need God …start there because if we start with prayer all because we can agree that prayer changes things Let us pray and allowGod to change all of us through and by prayer!
God Bless my sisters and my brothers satan will always give us a reason not to pray! Prayer is Gods authority to change things in the land! Purpose for Prayer
Yancey please stop preaching.
You’re an arrogant fool and the comments here are quite on target as to IT’S TIME FOR YOU TO GET A DAY JOB
(applause especially to Deborah for her commentary)
S.A. MCCLELLAN your reply was SPOT ON. Oh my word, did you ever read my mind and heart. (And put it MUCH more eloquently). My prayer is that Mr. Yancey (not to be confused with the wonderful OTHER author Philip Yancey), will not harden his heart to so many replies. Replies which I truly pray will touch his heart as we all are God’s children and shouldnt eat each other alive. Rather, we should reach out in love in regards to God’s Word.
It is obviously true that this message was intended for the land of Israel. However, the Old Testament’s main purpose is to reveal to us the nature and character of God. Thus meaning that if the same unchanging God would make that promise back then, he would surely do the same today.
My people who are called, yes is Old Testament but that’s why we now have the New Testament which brings Life to old scriptures. The Ten Commandments were old testament- eradicated through the blood, but the principles are the same, they are still applicable to life. Our country is built on the Christian principles of that and we’re the ones who need prayer for our leadership to circumcise their hearts for redemption. Without humility there is no restoration of you or your land, government included. We suffer the fallout of leadership without realizing who’s taking us down the wrong road. Hence Roman rule in the Temple is the purpose of Yeshua showing up to tear down the government rules in the Temple because they had kicked God out of the Temple. The New Temple was implemented because they had walked away from having Him show up. Welcome you crossover Jews – gentiles – into the new covenant of Christ the universal church in Acts. 1 John 4:4. For the man that is in you is greater than he that is in the world.
You have to know, because I am pretty sure that you have read the Apocrypha, Ancient Israel does exists today. And you kniw who we are, so, while that vs does not apply to American Christians, it does apply to the True Israelites living in America, and the 4 corners of the world. Only one people call themselves Israelites….and I don’t mean those who say Black Israelites. There is no need to define Black when the only Israelites to exist have always been black. The converts call themselves Israelis and are forbidden to call themselves Hebrew Israelites. Why is that?
We are turning back, because even though we have been the hidden ones, the 400 year curse of Deuteronomy 28 has ended, and Yahuah our Elohim is turning His face back to us and He is awakening us up in the land of our captivity.
I so very disagree with the article’s author. A call to repentance is a call to repentance. “All will repent or perish” is basically the same. It’s not apples to oranges, it’s a call to repentance.
As has been already clarified by another commenter, “all scripture is profitable for being quoted!” Intellectualizing the application of scripture has no other purpose than to eliminate its profitability. Your article does not serve to encourage Christians to do the three things that 2 Chronicles requires, which coincides with the teachings of Jesus, namely:
1) humble ourself and pray,
2) seek the Lord God’s face,
3) turn from our wicked ways.
These things are good for Christians to keep in mind as they observe our country falling into evil. 2 Chronicles 7: 13, 14 is a perfect application to US Christians, who identify with the name of Christ, and therefore are “called by (His) name.”
WE ARE ALL GODS PEOPLE. WE SHOULD ALL BE PRAYING FOR PEACE AND HEALING OF OUR PEOPLE AND OUR LAND. GODS WORD IS FOR ALL OF HIS CHILDREN.
As an Australian the use of that verse by Americans has always annoyed me. No it’s not about them – they just think the whole Bible is about them like everything else.
I understand what you are saying about II Chronicles 7:14. There have been times when God has changed His mind as when Moses pleaded with Him regarding the Israelites. But once we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and repented do we not become Gods children same as the Israelites even though we are Gentiles? My understanding is that God has never changed but He has changed His mind about destroying certain people. If Sodom and Gomorrah could have been saved if there had been even 5 or 10 “good” people found there as Abraham asked of God, then why would He not save even the USA if people of this land turn to Him and repented. He has done it before and being God our Creator He has every right to change His mind if He so chooses. I don’t think we as His people are considered any less of importance just we were born into a different age or generation. Maybe I’m wrong but why would He love His children back then anymore than His children now. He did send Jesus to the Cross to give up His life by being crucified to save us. So if His children would repent and turn back to Him whose to say that He wouldn’t change His mind and heal our land? Why would that be impossible? The only one that knows when the end of time is going to happen is God Himself, not even Jesus knows.
2 Tim. 3 Verses 16 to 17
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”
It says ALL scripture. It is the Holy Spirit that moves us for God’s purpose. It is the Holy Spirit that gives us the words to speak.
1 Thessalonians 5:19-22
Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.
Brethren- This is an exercise in discernment. The enemy comes to steal hope and strength,
-he ends his article stating this “…and don’t get me started on Phil. 4:13. ?” He literally sends a winking emoji and implies this verse isn’t for us.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Proverbs 16:30
30 Whoever winks with their eye is plotting perversity; whoever purses their lips is bent on evil.
When you Pray Ask God for understanding. I totally disagree with what you are saying, this passage was one of the very first Sermons God gave to me for his people, and just a few days ago God brought this same passage to me to share again. discernment is what’s needed. it is a 4-step process, Humble, Pray, Seek, Turn.
this can also be accepted individually, this scripture alone can change one’s Heart, the Holy Spirit reveals all things, I pray that God gives you discernment on this passage. God Bless You.
God gave us our minds, and the logic in my mind agrees that the referred to verse indeed refers to Israel, and not the USA, or any other modern day country. Furthermore, why should we, who are born of the spirit, having already repented from our sins, have to turn from our wicked ways, when we shouldn’t have any wicked ways? Sorry, brothers, and sisters, this just doesn’t make sense to me. The only way the USA can be saved is through a majority of our fellow citizens being saved. And forgive me, if I don’t see this happening. The human race tendency is to turn away from God, just like Israel did.
Although all Scripture is not written to us, all Scripture is written for us.”
As the apostle Paul taught Timothy, his son in the ministry, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16)
First, the PRINICIPLE, in this scripture; “My people who are called by My name.” (2 Chronicles 7:14a)
Second, comes the PRACTICE. We must humble ourselves. God does not move for the prideful. (Proverbs 11:2)
Finally, we must PRAY as one body in Christ with faith and God shall hear us.
Reminder , Jesus often said It is written….
If it was written and documented , it should also be considered the example as well
I’ve never heard 2 Chron 7:14 preached in love, so this right here is good.
I agree that this promise was specifically addressed to ancient Israel but I also agree that, since our Lord used OT scripture in his teachings, we can too. I believe that the story of Jesus started in Genesis. However, here in the US, we tend to apply it to our nation and want to make sin and opposition go away so that we can be blessed and we can be safe to practice our faith. What if we applied it to the Church? God is not so much interested in any individual nation but in his Church which is supposed to be a light on a hill. What if we humbled ourselves and sought God’s face, letting go of any preconceived notions of what we expected. What if we let go of our agenda and opened ourselves freely to God’s agenda? It might be his will for us to be persecuted. It might be the thing that brought us together in love and unity. What if we allowed him to show us our sins and we were able to repent of them? This verse may or may not be a promise, but it is certainly a great lesson.
Look at us (literally us, including me), we respond unkindly to things we disagree with. We allow nonessentials to divide us. We are so busy looking at other people’s sins we can’t see our own. Scripture tells us that the world will know we are Christians by our love; true religion is to take care of widows and orphans and foreigners; God wants mercy and not sacrifice. I believe the Church is headed for revival and that the world will see that we are different by the way we love each other and the way we love our enemies.
We need and we tend to humble ourselves and repent of the sins of other people. If we really humble ourselves,
Sorry, those last 3 lines were supposed to be deleted ?
It applies to the Americans because true Israelites are the colored people and some whites are mixed in with out knowing