2 Chronicles 7:11-18

 “if my people, who belong to me, humble themselves, pray, seek to please me, and repudiate their sinful practices, then I will respond from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.”

— ‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭7‬:‭14‬‬

Lengthy but necessary exercise: Read all of Chapter 6 and 7 to this point for full context. YHWH reuses Solomon’s language about plagues, war, natural disasters, etc which would come because of Israel’s disobedience. (This is all based, of course, on the Mosaic Covenant at the end of Deuteronomy). Solomon begged God to honor their building “of this house” and when they prayed/repented at/toward “this house” that should be enough for healing of the land and restoration of blessing. Here, God says, “Deal, except it’s not really about the house, though I appreciate your building it (cause I deserve it). It’s really just the heart of the people.” 

NOT ABOUT AMERICA

If we really wanted to apply it, “my people” would have to be “church.” (Or still Israel proper). Repentance. Pray. Problem is church doesn’t have a land. Church is global. We ARE living in exile, so some try to see correlation with phrasing in 1 Peter, etc. But there is no corporate solidarity between believers and the nations they inhabit. Kingdom is not from this world, though one day it will break into this world finally and fully. I can’t attack God’s faithfulness for not bringing blessing/prosperity to any nation regardless of its citizens’ ethics because they do not have the covenant that Israel did. Nor do I want church to “reign” and enforce legal code. Repentance. Spread news of Messiah. Discipleship.

Micah 7:18-20

   “There is no other God like you! You forgive sin and pardon the rebellion of those who remain among your people. You do not remain angry forever, but delight in showing loyal love. You will once again have mercy on us; you will conquer our evil deeds; you will hurl our sins into the depths of the sea. You will be loyal to Jacob and extend your loyal love to Abraham, which you promised on oath to our ancestors in ancient times.”

— ‭‭Micah‬ ‭7‬:‭18‬-‭20‬‬

The whole chapter reads like one of David’s psalms. Beginning is despair, disappointment, frustration, almost hopelessness. Content/theme is clearly exile and punishment of Israel for their wickedness. Can’t even trust your own family it’s going to be so bad when Babylon attacks. But Micah turns to future hope of restoration. Enemies will be destroyed. Eat dust like snakes…picture of death. 

Basis of this is two-fold: character of God and loyalty of God to His covenant. He will not destroy Israel…that would prove Him a liar to Abraham. But He would need to punish them for their incessant disobedience. He does not remain angry forever. Interesting that there is no theology here of why God’s anger is appeased. Did Israel just serve the rightful sentence? What covered the sin and threw it into sea? We know they couldn’t pay for their own sin. And there were no sacrifices.

I think it goes back to the two fold point of the author in this passage. God’s covenant and God’s character. Fairness has nothing to do with it. He can discipline and He can have mercy to restore His people to Himself. 

We need to be careful before applying this whole scene directly to us. Obviously, we have Jesus. We interact with these themes at different levels. God is still merciful. And He has a covenant with His people. And He is still faithful to His promises.