Before I begin, I want to introduce a personal theory of mine. I call this theory the "Egg Shell Theory of Manipulation." It posits that if you safely cross eggshells without breaking any, then there will be no offense. In this case, the strength of the eggshells rests solely upon the one laying down the conditions. The conditions are usually infantile to the point of impossible. Some will bend over backward in a futile attempt. It need not be said, but that is the whole point. They desperately hold onto grudges. They desperately cling to their racist ideologies. They look for reasons to be offended. They look for reasons to hold onto their hatred.
It does not matter what information you bring. It does not matter if the source is reliable. If there is a route to sink further into the delusion, it will be the road taken. Try as you might; you can't force someone to take a look deep within themselves. While pointing out errors, mistakes, racial bigotry, or a host of other things in other people, they cannot see those things within themselves.
One may ask how this applies to 2 Chronicles 7:14. Before I begin, let me first illustrate several problems I have run across. The first is the view of the passage that this passage is for the People of Israel during Solomon's time. The second is the Old Testament is a history book that has no bearing on today's world. The first view, while correct, is also short-sighted. The second view is inherently dangerous.
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. - 2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV
The phrase most often overlooked comes directly from the passage most often quoted, "and turn from their wicked ways." Are the critics of this passage inferring that G-d no longer wants people to repent? Yeshua may have paid the price for our sins, but it remains up to the individual to recognize that they are just as guilty before G-d. Scripture also teaches that the person who says that they do not or have not sinned is a liar, and the truth is not in them. Scripture goes further and teaches that a person who says they love G-d and yet hates the fellow human being is a liar! The same holds for those who desperately hold to their grudges. The same holds for those who desperately cling to their racist ideologies. The same holds for those who come up with excuses why they are justified in their hatred!
May the G-d of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob humble you before him. May the G-d of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob open your eyes to the truth of who you are!
One final comment that addresses the notion that 2 Chronicles 7:14 applied to the physical temple; scripture teaches that your body is the temple where G-d wants to reside. While the United States is NOT mentioned anywhere within scripture, the principles of repentance and reconciliation remain the same!
Sincerely,
David A. Kitchens, Editor
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