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. 2 Chronicles 7:13-14 (ESV)I've seen alot of people using this passage to relate to events happening now (fires in Australia, locusts in Somalia, and COVID-19) and I just wanted to shed some light/knowledge on it. I've studied the passage and have also consulted other sources such as theologians, pastors, study Bibles, etc. As Christians, we always want to turn to the Bible for answers in times of trouble. This is not an incorrect desire or action. God's Word is the best source for help, but it is a misuse of Scripture to yank verses from their contexts and falsely apply them to modern times. This is an example of what is happening with 2 Chronicles 7:13-14. Let's look at the type of passage this is. It is categorized as a historical book. This fact alone displays how it is a misuse to apply it to now, since it is not a prophetic book. Moreover, there is no prohecy being given in this verse. It is specifically in response to Solomon's dedicatory prayer and is meant for Solomon and the Israelites. Now, let's examine the context of this verse. It is around 946 BC and Solomon has just had the first temple built and dedicated. God's words in verses 13 and 14 are a response to Solomon's dedication (2 Chronicles 6:26-31). The phrase "if my people" is relevant to the restored community after the Babylonian exile-- a specific people group. The concepts held in this passage and the surrounding words (2 Chronicles 7:12-22) often serve as decisive factors for divine blessings & curses in the book(s) of Chronicles. When one attempts to apply this verse to modern times and incidents, it supposes that these sufferings are "Acts of God" or the "wrath of God" being poured out on the Earth. However, Romans 2:1-11, mainly verses 5-8, explain when the wrath of God will be poured out on the Earth: But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed. He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. Romans 2:5-8 (ESV) There is a specific "day of wrath" that God's judgment, punishment, and "wrath" will be delivered. The day when everyone will either be determined a child of God or a child of darkness. There is no wrath given now in the present time, and that can be seen in Romans 5:6-10: For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die-- but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. Verse 9 says, "Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God." Jesus saves us from the wrath of God; Jesus bore God's anger on the cross so that we would not have to. So because Jesus did this, God's wrath is saved for the final judgment day, not the present time. Therefore, natural disasters, pandemics, etc. are a consequence of our sin nature and our status as a fallen world, not an "act of God." Although He allows these things to happen, they are not his active wrath being carried out on the world. Another explanation for these things could be the persecution of believers in order to refine the Church, like the "tempering of iron to make purified steel" or "the pruning of the unfaithful from the vine." Using 2 Chronicles to say that if we pray it will turn around immediately would simply mean God’s actions are determined by us not Him. This is an example of people thinking too little of God and too much of themselves. He isn’t a kid holding a magnifying glass on an ant hill burning the ants alive then stopping when the ants implore Him to. This is a wrong view of who God is. He is the God of the universe who, despite our sin, still wants to have a relationship with us. This fact doesn't mean we shouldn't pray for deliverance-- we should. However, our prayers do not force God into action. God is good if He answers us. God is good if He does not. Praying for relief in a disaster, or in this pandemic, is like praying for anything else. He does not always give a definitive answer or grant the request. Despite this, He is still working and still has a purpose in all things. Sources:
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