One God, One Focus, a healed land (2026)
- Chronicles 7:14The context here of chapter 7 is the dedication of the temple and the the reign of King Solomon.
- To understand the context of 7:14 we need to start at the beginning of the chapter.
- 2 Chronicles 7:1-3 In the Middle of the dedication of the Temple God pours out His glory and fills the Temple with his Presence to the Point that the Priests could not enter.
- Then as the chapter continues, we see how King Solmon and the People respond to God’s presence.
- Chronicles 7:4-5 That is a lot of animals that were just sacrificed.
- Notice it says all the people. This was not just King Solomon.
- In response to God pouring out his glory and presence there was extraordinary and extravagant worship from the people. This is a lesson for us to remember.
- 2 Chronicles 7:11-13 This is still a very important part of the context setting up 2 Chronicles 7:14.
- We can’t begin to understand 7:14 until we understand what verse 13 means.
- This verse (7:13) refers to Duet 11.
- Deuteronomy 11:15-17Here is the reference to shut up the heavens we see in 2 Chronicles 7:13.
- God is warning the people, if you follow other gods, I will remove your blessings, provision, and protection.
- Then here in 2 Chronicles 7:13 God is reminding them of this warning from Deuteronomy to not follow other gods.
- Chronicles 7:14 It starts with “if my people” Who are His people?
- In the day this was written it was the Hebrew people. The Israelites, the Jews.
- In our day this would be the people who follow the ways of Jesus.
- The Next phrase is very important. “who are called by my name”
- This would the names Yahweh and Elohim.
- He says this to distinguish Himself from the other gods of the day, from the people who follow Baal.
- Now the next phrase, “will humble themselves and pray.”
- An Imperfect verb is used generally to indicate an action that is not complete, or an action that either occurs in the present or will occur in the future.
- You could say that he being humbled is an ongoing or future process.
- The meaning here is basic enough. God does not like the proud. Pride is an enemy of God. (James 4:6)
- This command to be humble is closely tied to the command to pray.
Then the next phrase is and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways,
- It starts with the command to seek His Face. The seeking is again ongoing.
- The word can mean to seek or search. In the bible seeking the Face of God always speaks of intimacy.
- turn from their wicked ways. In the church culture of our day, people want to insert and force their own understanding of what the wicked ways are.
- I have heard all kinds of nonsense applied to this phrase.
- So, then, what did God mean by wicked ways??
- This is essential to understanding this verse and to effective prayer.
- This very much ties back to verse 13 which reminded us of Deut 11.
- So here in 2 Chronicles 7:14 you could get away with inserting Deut 11.
- The Phrase turn from your wicked ways in 2 Chronicles 7:14 means turn from the other gods you are following.
- Now the next phrase is then I will hear from heaven,
- The implication here is that God has not or will not hear prayers unless these conditions are met.
- and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
- The implication here is that what was negatively affecting their land was their sin.
- And their sin was following other gods.
- What does it look like to have our land healed? 2 Chronicles 7:1-3, The Glory of God coming strong.