If My People… (2 Chronicles 7.14)

The Text in Context

Ray C. Stedman, "2 Chronicles: God's King in God's House" from the series Adventuring Through the Bible.

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President Bartlett's Fallacious Diatribe

Hank Hanegraaff addresses one example of taking Bible texts out of context that comes from the NBC television series The West Wing. —Hank Hanegraaff, "President Bartlet's Fallacious Diatribe" The Christian Research Journal, volume 23, number 3 (2001).

http://bit.ly/2xA7L51

If My People, Who Are Called By My Name…

"Second Chronicles 7:14 is one of the most misinterpreted and mis-claimed verses in the Bible. But instead of just shutting someone down with a “you-took-that-verse-out-of-context” approach, we can help people by gently walking them through four basic steps of proper biblical interpretation." —Brett Kunkle, “If My People, Who Are Called by My Name, Will Humble Themselves and Pray…” Stand to Reason, May 3, 2017.

http://bit.ly/2w5qPdn

What Is the Meaning of 2 Chronicles 7.14?

"The key to understanding any verse of Scripture is context… Because context is so important, a verse whose meaning and application seem straightforward when quoted in isolation may mean something significantly different when it is taken in context. —"Question of the Week: What Is the Meaning of 2 Chronicles 7.14?" GotQuestions?

http://bit.ly/2wcp10s

Solomon Dedicates the Temple at Jerusalem, c. 1896-1902, by James Jacques Joseph Tissot (French, 1836-1902), Jewish Museum, New York

2 Chronicles 7:19-21 NIV

Deuteronomy 28:1-2 NIV

Deuteronomy 28:15 NIV

For reflection/discussion

Would you agree that 2 Chronicles 7.14 is often misunderstood and misapplied? Can you think of other texts that are similarly taken or quoted out of context? How does studying the historical and biblical context of a passage minimize that dangers of misapplying a biblical passage? How can a good Study Bible (ESV Study Bible, NIV Study Bible, NLT Study Bible) help us understand the context and meaning of scripture?

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV

God has a heart for the whole world.

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John 3:16-17 NIV

Jonah 3:4-5 NIV

Acts 2:21 NIV

Luke 13:29 NIV

Revelation 7:9 NIV

1. Rescue, healing, and renewal come when…

1. Rescue, healing, and renewal come when we humble ourselves before God.

2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV

Matthew 5:3 NIV

Philippians 2:5-8 NIV

James 4:10 NIV

For reflection/discussion

Why is humility so important for the people of God? What evidence do you so for humility (or its lack) in our culture today? Dr. John Oswald of Asbury Theological Seminary has observed that, "So long as a person or nation is arrogant, God can do nothing for them." How does arrogance/pride undermine our relationship with God and others and create unnecessary problems for us?

2. Rescue, healing, and renewal come when…

2. Rescue, healing, and renewal come when we pray and seek the face of God.

2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV

Deuteronomy 4:29 NIV

What Does It Mean to Seek the Lord?

"This setting of the mind is the opposite of mental coasting. It is a conscious choice to direct the heart toward God. This is what Paul prays for the church: 'May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ' (2 Thessalonians 3:5). It is a conscious effort on our part. But that effort to seek God is a gift from God." John Piper, "What Does It Mean to Seek the Lord?" Desiring God, August 19, 2009.

http://bit.ly/1kbwCSS

Deuteronomy 4:29 NIV

For reflection/discussion

How would you characterize your prayer life? What would you like to change about it? Why is prayer a critical component of our rescue, healing, and renewal? What does it mean to "seek the face of God"? What does God promise to those who seek Him with all their heart and soul?

3. Rescue, healing, and renewal come when…

3. Rescue, healing, and renewal come when we turn from our sin and turn to God.

2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV

Isaiah 55:6-7 NIV

"We all want progress. But if you’re on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-face and walking back to the right road; in that case, the person who turns back soonest is the most progressive.” —C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity.

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2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV

For reflection/ discussion

What is the shared meaning of the Old Testament Hebrew and New Testament Greek words that are translated repent? How can turning around be a step forward? Is it possible to add Jesus to your life without subtracting sin? 2 Chronicles 7.14 begins with the conditional word If. What are the conditions that are necessary for us to begin to experience rescue, healing, and renewal in our lives?

2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV