Does 2 Chronicles 7:14 Promise Revival
When the Church Prays?
Whenever you question the interpretation a
person's favorite verse you get into big trouble! For years, especially in my relationship
with "revival movements" I hear 2 Chronicles 7:14 quoted.
You probably know the verse:
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.
2 Chronicles
The ESV Bible notation,
instructs us that Second Chronicles actually 'chronicles'
the history of Judah after the exile. The author recalls the magnificence of
Solomon's reign that occurred before all of this. The record mostly focuses,
though, on the sin that propelled Judah into captivity, the faithfulness of God
and the sovereignty of God in their return.[1]
So the verse in
question falls within the context of the author (maybe Ezra) reminding the
people of their history under Solomon (Chapters 1-9). An important part of that history was the creation
and dedication of Solomon's Temple (3:1–7:22).
Immediate Context
The dedication of the Temple is a glorious
event with an amazing speech by Solomon as he kneels before the Lord, praying
and worshipping. He prays that God would listen to the prayers that come from
that Temple. He asks God to forgive the people's sin and repent. He prays for
all who serve in that Temple, including himself. As the years go by and this great King
completes the construction of his own palace – in the middle of the night, God
appears to Solomon, privately.
“Then the Lord appeared to Solomon in the night and said to him: “I
have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a house of
sacrifice.” (2 Chronicles 7:12, ESV)
God is indeed
responding in much grace as the prayers of dedication are heard and will be
answered. Solomon must have been
delighted. Remember what Solomon had
previously asked: (2 Chronicles 6:22–40)
- 22 “If a man sins against his neighbor . . . 23 then hear from heaven
- 24 “If your people Israel are defeated before the enemy because they have sinned against you, and they turn again . . . 25 then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your people
- 26 “When heaven is shut up and there is no rain because they have sinned against you, if they pray . . . 27 then hear in heaven and forgive the sin of your servants,
- 28 “If there is famine in the land . . . 29 whatever prayer . . . 30 then hear from heaven your dwelling place and forgive . . .."
- And so on ….
The Promise
So God comes to Solomon in the night and
says, "I have heard your prayer."
Indeed if such and such happens in Israel and they repent I will hear
their prayer. Or, stated otherwise:
“When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the
locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, 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. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the
prayer that is made in this place.” (2 Chronicles 7:13–15, ESV)
God does not paint a
rose garden for this nation. He tells
them that they are going to sin. And as
a result there will be drought and famine, etc.
But for sure, if His People (Israel) will humble themselves, pray, seek
God and repent, God promises to forgive and heal. He promises to specifically restore the land
and produce. What will be restored are crops, harvest, physical produce, etc.
"God promised that the nation would
receive relief from the hardships caused by their sin if the people would turn
to Him in humility and prayer. This promise was especially relevant to the
restored community following the Babylonian exile. A number of events in the
divided and reunited kingdoms illustrate the principles of this passage (12:6;
13:14; 14:8–15; 18:31; 20:5–19; 32:20; 33:12, 13 and notes). Many times in
Chronicles the concepts in this passage appear as the decisive factor for
divine blessing and curses."[2]
To employ this promise to bring about
spiritual revival in a nation rips it out of it's context and misappropriates it. Now does that mean we shouldn't pray
for revival? No! Does that means we shouldn't pray for our
countries? No! To fail to do so would be
to disobey 1 Timothy 2:1–2 (ESV),
1 First of all, then, I
urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for
all people, 2 for kings and all who
are in high positions, that we may
lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. [my emphasis]
Summary
"God is pleased when we pray. He is
also pleased when we intercede for others, for our leaders, and for our
country. God also desires to see people humble themselves and repent so that
they may be saved through faith in Christ and come to the knowledge of the
truth. Then they will join the people of God (the church) who are called by his
name. Additionally, they will also find new citizenship in a spiritual kingdom
that will stand firm for eternity and cannot be shaken (Hebrews 12: 28). They
will become citizens of a better country, with a city that has uniquely been
prepared for them (Hebrews 11: 16). They will be citizens of heaven itself
(Philippians 3: 20)."[3]
[1] The
Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2001 (2 Ch). Wheaton: Standard Bible
Society.
[2] Whitlock, L. G., Sproul, R. C., Waltke, B.
K., & Silva, M. (1995). The
Reformation study Bible: Bringing the light of the Reformation to Scripture:
New King James Version (2 Ch 7:14). Nashville: T. Nelson.
[3] Bargerhuff, Eric J. (2012-05-01). The Most
Misused Verses in the Bible,Surprising Ways God's Word Is Misunderstood (pp.
76-78). Baker Book Group. Kindle Edition.
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