By David Ettinger
Misapplied Verse
For as long as I have been a Christian (since 1986), I have heard many sermons centered on 2 Chronicles 7:14. Every one of these sermons has been well thought out and well-intended, but not scripturally accurate.
In other words, the reason for appropriating this verse is noble and sincere, but I don’t believe its precise meaning applies.
2 Chronicles 7:14 reads: “and [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, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
The Context
The chapter is 2 Chronicles 7, the year is 759 B.C., and King Solomon has just completed constructing Israel’s magnificent Temple in Jerusalem. A spectacular ceremony filled with exultant music and multitudinous burnt offerings highlighted the festivities, and now God is ready to respond (vv. 1-6). However, He does not do so at the ceremony, but that night, and to an audience of just one – Solomon (v. 12a).
The Lord begins by saying: “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice” (v. 12b). This is an encouraging start, however, the Lord takes an unexpected turn when He says: “If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people” (v. 13). Why would the Lord say this? Basically, He is foretelling the future; you can easily change the “ifs” in v. 13 to “whens.” God is addressing Israel at a coming time of disobedience, a time when He will be forced to discipline them. In this case, God will do so by cursing the land, a stipulation of the Mosaic Covenant (Leviticus 26:18-20; Numbers 28:18; 23-24; 38-40).
In this scenario, God tells Israel in v. 14 what they must do to appease Him, and what He will do in return: “and [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, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
Key Phrases
Let’s look at three key phrases. The first is “my people,” which is used 217 times in the Bible, and just about every time God utters it, it refers to the very specific nation of Israel. In fact, the Lord often expands this phrase to read, “My people Israel” (1 Samuel 9:16; Jeremiah 12:4; Ezekiel 36:8).
The second is “called by My name.” This simply means to “belong to God.” This of course refers to the Israelites, but is later expanded to include Gentile believers (Acts 15:14, 17).
The third is “heal their land.” This is a crucial one. Among God’s permanent promises to Israel is that of a very specific mass of land. This land mass is identified in Genesis 15:18-21, and repeated several times, notably in Exodus 23:31. This is the specific land mass God had in mind when he says, “heal their land.”
Church Application
So, can the Church reasonably “claim” this verse and expect it to be fulfilled as written?
The first problem for the Church is that the repentance being called for here is national, requiring the overwhelming majority of a nation to repent. This could not be the case today. Even if all of God’s people (Christians) in a given nation repented, this would add up to but a small portion of the population. It would hardly result in anything resembling a majority national repentance.
In order for there to be a vast majority, huge portions of nations would have to be saved, which is nowhere the case in any nation on Earth. Don’t forget, those being called upon to repent are “My people” “who are called by My name.”
A second problem for the Church is God’s promise to heal the land. Again, this was a very specific promise made to the only nation on Earth – Israel – with whom God ever made a covenant. He never made a covenant with any other nation. He is under no obligation to heal any nation’s land.
A third problem is, why would the Church need to repent? Yes, individual Christians need to repent of their sins, but why would the Church as a whole need to repent? In other words, yes, a large portion of the Church is backsliding, but a large portion, as well, is not backsliding. Are so many Christians behaving so wickedly as to bring judgment upon their nations? Don’t forget, God is calling those “who are called by My name” to “turn from their wicked ways.”
Are huge numbers of Christians (those today “who are called by My name”) really behaving so wickedly as to warrant national repentance and bringing punishment upon their nations? Unbelievers are the ones doing this, not God’s people.
A fourth problem concerns God’s part of the bargain. Even if all BELIEVERS in a nation repent, why would God be obligated to heal and forgive the entire NATION for the actions (repentance) of the small minority? In other words, if a nation has a population of 50 million, and 3 million are believers, is God obligated to heal the entire nation based on that small minority? Of course not.
Based on the above, the Church cannot reasonably apply 2 Chronicles 7:14 to a modern-day context.
However …
The heart and intent of 2 Chronicles 7:14 is sound, noble, and lofty. Christians should always be praying for forgiveness and revival – individual and national. God will always look favorably upon such petitions, and will respond to them as He sees fit.
Read my follow-up: “My 2 Chronicles 7:14 Blog: Addendum“
Blue Collar Theologian
October 20, 2020
David, I absolutely agree with you and thank you for stating this!
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dettinger47
October 20, 2020
Thank you, Mandy.
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craig
October 20, 2020
Thanks for a thought-provoking read. I get your points, and agree that this verse is often applied without much historical context, and the context today is vastly different. Still, I wonder if there isn’t some legitimacy is thinking that we might apply what this verse tells us about the character of God and His actions with a covenant people. Similar, perhaps, to the letters to the churches in Asia in Revelation.
While I don’t think we can necessarily carry these passages before the Lord’s throne and say, “you promised, and we are claiming this promise,” I think there might be some legitimacy in carrying them before the Lord’s throne and in humility saying, “Lord, just as You promised this once, we ask that you would do similarly today.”
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I’m afraid too many people are a bit too quick to tear verses out of their context and vigorously misapply them. Praise the Lord for His great mercy!
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dettinger47
October 20, 2020
Excellent insights, Craig. Well thought out and worth thinking about.
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Angel at Watchyourlifeinpictures
October 20, 2020
Agree.
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dettinger47
October 21, 2020
Thumbs up!
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Tom
October 21, 2020
Thanks, David. Excellent post! I cringe every time I hear 2 Chronicles 7:14 being applied to the United States, as if this country was in a covenant relationship with God as was ancient Israel. We have the Puritans to blame for initially misappropriating these Old Testament verses and passages meant only for Israel and of course the error has been perpetuated for 400 years.
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dettinger47
October 21, 2020
Precisely, Tom. Thanks.
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Bonnie Roerdink
October 21, 2020
Thank you for setting the record straight on this very popular verse. When applied to the U.S. it implies that Christians are responsible for the havoc that is so prevelant in our culture. The fact that Satan is the god of this world and man has free will to follow his own lustful desires explains our nation’s condition.
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dettinger47
October 21, 2020
Excellently said, Bonnie. “When applied to the U.S. it implies that Christians are responsible for the havoc that is so prevalent in our culture.”
I wish I had included this in my post. I think I’ll write an addendum to my blog later today and tomorrow, based around your quote (which I will credit you for).
Much thanks, Bonnie!
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mrsmariposa2014
October 21, 2020
David, I appreciate you breaking this down in such an accessible way. I have long heard the verse quoted in a very sincere way but pondered if what was being said could be accurately applied in such a manner. What you have pointed out makes a lot of sense. Thank you! Blessings!
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dettinger47
October 21, 2020
Thanks, Marisa. And if you look at the comment just above yours, Bonnie made a great point about how this application actually makes it look as if Christians are to blame for the havoc occurring in our country!
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mrsmariposa2014
October 21, 2020
You’re welcome! Yes, that is an excellent point!
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Lisa Beth
October 21, 2020
Thank you David, your points cannot be overstated. While I cringe at the misuse of scripture, I also challenge those who recite it: Why dont you recite the dire threats, indictments and punishments declared upon “God’s people” as your own?
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dettinger47
October 21, 2020
Exactly, Lisa Beth! Christians need to be challenged in their thinking rather than simply rehashing the same old mistaken interpretations.
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Lisa Beth
October 21, 2020
Amen!
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jarilissima
April 14, 2021
Fantastic post! Context is key! My first Bible, the first one I ever read, had a brief section before every Bible book providing the context– who wrote it, when, and what was going on at that time. It was immensely helpful, and later helped me notice when Bible verses were used completely out of context.
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dettinger47
April 14, 2021
So well said, Yari. Besides teaching the Bible, pastors and Bible teachers should always explain to their listeners and readers just how important context is!
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