Principles or Promises?

One of the common errors people make when reading/interpreting Scripture is to take statements made as promises, irrespective of the setting of the statement

Proverbs is a good example

These are statements of general truth…but not promises

One particular realm of promises people often misconstrue is those regarding God’s people

Generally, the are specific to the people and the time…and they come with serious conditions

It was a normal practice—common in treaties in ancient days

Blessings and curses

Suzerain/vassal treaties—between the sovereign one and the ruled ones

If this, then that; if not this, then something else

7:14 ff is a popular passage often used…maybe misused

I’ve used it myself, as a reading with some comments, as our nation was facing some racial unrest—I cited it as a principal, NOT a promise

A Necessary Context

We could go back as far as Deut., chapters 26-28 and recite the conditions, curses and blessings…but we’ll not do that

We also note that this chapter is very similar to 1 Kings, chapt. 9

Since authorship for these books is unknown, it is suspected that the author of Chronicles wrote his work from the perspective that the Davidic Kingdom was central to the saving work of God, where Samuel and Kings were more of straight historical works

We will, however, take a brief look at the few chapters so we see the immediate context of this statement

We get the temple built and furnished; the Ark is brought to the temple; Solomon blesses the people and offers a prayer of dedication for the temple…with some specific pleas and understanding of the original Deuteronomic covenant; fire descends from Heaven

English Standard Version Chapter 7

and the glory of the LORD filled the temple

The king and the people offer sacrifices—22,000 oxen; 120,000 sheep

It was only then, in the night, the Lord appeared to Solomon and gave him the words we just read: if…

We must note: all the work Solomon had done would have been entirely without value had God NOT chosen it as His temple! V.12

A Promise with Conditions

If…, then...

There appears to be the assumption that God’s people will fail—this promise regards an assumption of repentance

Humble themselves, pray, seek His face and turn from their evil ways

Then the promise: I will hear, I will forgive, I will heal their land

He will be attentive to prayers made within the temple—and some acknowledgement that it has a special place

We must also note the personal—from the perspective of Solomon—aspect here

He must walk before God as David had walked

Though not perfect, repentant when necessary

Doing what God commands

The promise to him is a permanent heir of his sons to rule Israel

A Realistic Caution

But if they don’t…here come the curses; v. 19 ff

BUT...

…and here, interestingly, the language turns from singular to plural…seemingly from Solomon to the people of all Israel—the king and all the people of the nation—all God’s people!

…the threat of exile and abandonment comes into play

In an almost cruel way, the nations who are Israels enemies will understand the cause—they—God’s chosen people--have been disobedient to their God

If we have read our Old Testament and have a grasp of the history, we know what happened: Solomon himself chased foreign women, who led him into idolatry; the nation was split after his death; the northern kingdom went headlong into idolatry and other gross sin; ultimately dispersed by Assyria

The southern kingdom stayed in somewhat better condition; but ultimately it, too, would go into exile on account of gross sin

A Rational Comparison

There is much use of this passage as a call for/to national, as well as personal repentance

There is good reason to draw from this the principle that God honors repentance

However we must recall that it is a principle for us, NOT a promise

The entire context of the 2nd Chron. passage is God dealing with national Israel—HIS CHOSEN PEOPLE

We can look back and see how the promises played out, over time from Solomon to the time of the Exile

We can pull the principle here; AND

We could look at Ps 33 12

Psalm 33:12 ESV

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!

…but we must note that it is specific to Israel

Psalm 146:5 ESV

Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God,

Much the same…except we see a broader context, any and all who hope in the Lord, not necessarily Israel

A Realistic Consideration

The reality of Christian Nationalism

Definitions are all over the map; opinions are all over the map

Pew research organization has found that more non-Christians think we’re a Christian nation than Christians--

Were we founded as a Christian nation?

…on Christian, or at least Biblical principles?

The last is certainly true; the first is more difficult to prove

If we are a Christian nation, we are so just as Israel and then Judah were Godly nations

They gave it lip service—and did what they wanted

They claimed godliness—and chased idols

They claimed adherence to the Word of God—and listened to false prophets

My question is this: Is that the most important question we have to answer?

I hope not; the most important question is

Are we following God?

As the people of Israel thought they were special—immune from all threats—because the were God’s chosen people, so do some of the Christian nationalist mentality believe that we’re immune to whatever God may send our way, because we are—or claim to be--

One Nation under God

Before you chose to tar and feather me—run me out of town on the proverbial rail—be assured that I am a patriot

I believe we should honor our nation—we display the American flag, along with the Christian flag

We are told to obey our government—Romans chapt. 13 is all about that, Rom 13 1

Romans 13:1 ESV

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.

We are to pray for our national/other elected officials, 1Tim 2 1-2

1 Timothy 2:1–2 ESV

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

We tend to only like these verses when they fit our purposes

Back to My Question

Are we following God?

Not just a generic god-being—one we can manipulate, use as a genie in a bottle to be taken down and rubbed when we need him

Not just falling into the thought that we’re a god-fearing nation, therefore falling under divine protection of some sort

NO! we’re talking about personal decisions here

As God offered multiple opportunities, along with severe warnings, to repent while there is still the time; do we still wait, thinking there will be plenty of time

We will never be (arguably never again be) a nation under God until we become a people faithful to God

It all begins with personal repentance, confessing that we are—each one of us—sinners

Asking God’s forgiveness based upon the finished work of Christ on the cross

Only when the hearts of the people are changed will—CAN—the heart of a nation be changed

Challenge

First—be sure your heart is right

Have you repented of your sin, become a true believer—a Christ-follower!

Remember a lesson from a couple weeks ago, if you are not saved, you have no reason to think or hope that God will answer any prayer other than a prayer of forgiveness!

Next—pray for those in authority…national, state, local officials; following quickly behind this, the direction of our nation, state and local governments—including school boards

Vote—not according to party affiliation, favoritism…but according to the direction that is projected by the individual candidates—that’s a tough one