Bible Question: what is the meaning of II chronicles 7:14 please explain |
Bible Answer: Hello Hickory, Welcome to the forum :) 2 Chronicles 7:14 is easier understood with some background knowledge of man's relationship with the righteous and holy God. God was speaking here to His chosen Israel, however, the connotation carries over to believers today, perhaps more specifically the church since He was addressing them as a nation. We have to take the verse in context (always). Notice in the prior verse God said to Solomon "if I send pestilence" (among other things)"among my people..." vs 14 "and my people...humble themselves.." humbling themselves would indicate an acceptance of deserving nothing more than the pestilence and such. Because they were, as we are, sinners no good thing from God is deserved. When we truly understand and accept this and then approach God from that understanding, we do so in humility. Thus, the verse continues.."and pray and seek My face..." An acknowledgement of who God is and a turning to Him in total dependence. "...and turn from their wicked ways..." Once again, in their (our) humility they acknowledge that their ways amount to nothing more than wickedness because they are capable of nothing more. Is it possible to truly repent without first acknowledging the sin? But still, repentance is more than acknowledging sin, even when doing so in true humility. There must be the turning away.. this is repentance. Then and only then does He promise to "hear" and "forgive their sin" and "heal their land." Mic 3:4 4 Then they will cry to the LORD, but he will not answer them; he will hide his face from them at that time, because they have made their deeds evil. ESV James 4:10 (NASB95) 4:10 Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you. Hope this helps shed some light. Other's more capable will eventually respond. God bless, Jeff |