2. Commonly Misunderstood Bible Verses (CMBV) 2 Chronicles 7:14

[GoldenEagle]

2 Chronicles 7:14

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

There are two common misunderstandings of this verse. First, that it’s a guarantee of prosperity. Second, that it applies to the reader’s land (for example, those in the US cite this verse for the National Day of Prayer). Yet the context indicates that the Lord is talking about Israel. The team suggests that if there is a general principle, it’s about God’s people. “It has nothing to do with our nation as a whole,” Bontrager explains, “because we [do not live] in a theocracy.”

 

Source: http://www.reasons.org/blogs/take-two/a-look-at-10-or-so-commonly-misunderstood-bible-verses

 

 

What do you think?

[alphaparticle]

I'd agree with that GE. Many of these verses seem to be quoted out of context to support various kinds of nationalism inappropriately. I'm not surprised it would be done with the prosperity gospel also.

[BFP]

I think that there are times when verses definitely need to be used in context, and there are many times that The Lord has lead me to a single verse, whether in context or not, as an encouragement or teaching. I think The Lord uses the Bible in many ways for teaching. That is why it is called the Living Word.

So yes..it is important to use a verse in context if you are studying a particular area, but on the other hand a single verse can bring comfort, support, and teaching whether it is in context or not. At least that has been my experience.

Now the prosperity teaching when it comes to monetary values...well money is supposed to mean nothing to a Christian unless he is helping others with it....but there is nothing wrong with believing that our Lord provides for all our needs, including health, healing, and protection. And I truly believe He does.

As for the verse above...what would it hurt to believe that God would do these things for each of us? And I do believe that He would. Are we not His children as well?

[bfloydo]

 

2 Chronicles 7:14

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

There are two common misunderstandings of this verse. First, that it’s a guarantee of prosperity. Second, that it applies to the reader’s land (for example, those in the US cite this verse for the National Day of Prayer). Yet the context indicates that the Lord is talking about Israel. The team suggests that if there is a general principle, it’s about God’s people. “It has nothing to do with our nation as a whole,” Bontrager explains, “because we [do not live] in a theocracy.”

 

Source: http://www.reasons.org/blogs/take-two/a-look-at-10-or-so-commonly-misunderstood-bible-verses

 

 

What do you think?

 

  I thank you, for many interesting posts, and a helping hand when I made my typo mistake  . I apologize for what maybe a little long winded answer but, it is my honest opinion, and I took some time and prayers to think it thru. When I read any verse I try to consider the setting, what is going on, why, and who is involved ... then I remind myself that there are many translations, and to look at more than one. So before I render my opinion ( and welcome yours or any others ), I thought I should outline how I got to my conclusion.

 1.) This exchange took place between God and Solomon.... surly, I should be cautious in determining the intent before the wisdom here.

 2.) Solomon prayed on his knees before the people and mentioned stranger/ foreign lands (verses preceding this one).

 3.) Israel(the people) has many translations -- I will use " struggles with God " for this opinion.

 4.) Much of what God said here seems to be an answer and confirmation of Solomon's prayer.

 5.) Are there words here that I should heed, and do as an individual?

 6.) Am I not dust of the earth, a self contained mass of land seeking and following Truth and its path?

 7.) I don't know where my flesh roots go back to... maybe Abraham, maybe not... but I do know that I am God's creation.

 8.) I should be cautious of sifting out gnats. Aware and prepared for the fact that others will interpret differently, or discard God and his words altogether

     I believe all things are possible with God, and that his words will not come back to him empty. His words have profit past, present, and future. A prophets(God's) words have sound meaning for a current time and future time... as in Jesus words, actions and parables. Many times did Jesus correct the understanding of so called experts of his time.

     Even if our perception is wrong, it can serve in Truth, if we continue to struggle with ourselves and God for Truth. As a child I made many, many mistakes in school but, If I humbled myself and listened to the Teacher as he/ she explained my mistakes, I profited.... If I refused to believe the Teacher and stood on my answer being right and his wrong, I stood self condemned of being a fool and destroying self by turning my back to Truth, in my own conceit and vanity.

 So, for this day and this time, my opinion is .... This verse has good instruction, I ought heed and follow. I struggle in this world(as we all do) and long to be with my God and Savior. Even if I am not one of his people I am certain he can graft me in. Whether my words are True or False, I know God will hear them. For I alone will give account before him, if they are words of vanity and self importance.

 May God's Grace and Mercy be with us all as we try to stay the path back home to him.

[GoldenEagle]

I'd agree with that GE. Many of these verses seem to be quoted out of context to support various kinds of nationalism inappropriately. I'm not surprised it would be done with the prosperity gospel also.

Well, technically I guess I took a stance by the title of the thread. But honestly I just wanted to get others thoughts.

I would agree that often verses get taken out of context to support nationalism inappropriately. Particularly somehow claiming the U.S.A. (a democracy and not a theocracy; also with many who do not believe in Jesus) is somehow the new Israel.

The prosperity gospel to me is not the Gospel as found in the Bible at all.

Sometimes God does a miracle. Sometimes God chooses to heal. Other times He doesn't. And that doesn't mean people had lack of faith or that God isn't powerful enough.

As Christians we should expect hardship. God never promised an easy life but He did promise a good eternal life for those who believe in Jesus.

Jesus said we were to take up our cross and follow Him. I don't think we in the modern era really get this image.

 

Luke 9:23-25

And He said to all, “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?

Paul also spoke of it...

 

Romans 5:3-5

More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Romans 8:18

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

James also spoke of it...

James 1:2-4

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Peter spoke of this too... Trials are not strange happenings for Christians nor should they be treated as such IMO.

  1 Peter 4:12-19

¹² Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³ But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. ¹⁴ If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of gloryand of God rests upon you. ¹⁵ But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. ¹⁶ Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. ¹⁷ For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? ¹⁸ And

“If the righteous is scarcely saved,

     what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”

¹⁹ Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.  

1 Peter 5:10

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

So we shouldn't be surprised that trails and tribulations come our way. Yet this life will be where our suffering ends... Praise God!

 

Thoughts?

God bless,

GE

[GoldenEagle]

I think that there are times when verses definitely need to be used in context, and there are many times that The Lord has lead me to a single verse, whether in context or not, as an encouragement or teaching. I think The Lord uses the Bible in many ways for teaching. That is why it is called the Living Word.

So yes..it is important to use a verse in context if you are studying a particular area, but on the other hand a single verse can bring comfort, support, and teaching whether it is in context or not. At least that has been my experience.

Now the prosperity teaching when it comes to monetary values...well money is supposed to mean nothing to a Christian unless he is helping others with it....but there is nothing wrong with believing that our Lord provides for all our needs, including health, healing, and protection. And I truly believe He does.

As for the verse above...what would it hurt to believe that God would do these things for each of us? And I do believe that He would. Are we not His children as well?

I would agree that sometimes God brings a verse to mind to encourage me, encourage others, teach me something about Himself, or help me focus on His glory. Yet I do think understanding the context of the text is important as well.

As far as the passage in 2 Chron. 7:14 I think this passage is very much over-used in reference to the U.S. God isn't going to heal the U.S. Not every citizen of the U.S. is God's chosen people. I think much like Manifest Destiny the replaced of God's people (Israel) to include all of the U.S. is faulty theology. Now, that said all who Believe in Jesus Christ are grafted into the promises God made to Israel and adopted into God's family. Yet not every citizen of the nation of Israel is part of God's people (the Church) either.

I was wondering if yo would expand on the following idea... "well money is supposed to mean nothing to a Christian unless he is helping others with it...."

God bless,

GE

[GoldenEagle]

I like the introduction to this article and the whole idea of CMBV...

General principles to keep in mind when interpreting Scripture:

 

Understand the author’s intent. “Meaning is grounded in the author’s intent.” So before asking what the verse means to us, consider first what the verse meant to the person who wrote it and the person(s) to whom it was written (or spoken). Consider the historical and cultural context.

 

Consider the literary genre. Just like we wouldn’t read a comic book in the same way we would an academic paper, it’s important to read Bible books and verse according to their genre.

 

Think about the overall context. Take a look at the surrounding verses or paragraphs. Pulling an excerpt may not be sufficient to understanding a verse’s significance.

 

Reflect on the universal and personal application. Only after we have a firm understanding of the author’s intent, literary genre, and overall context can we begin to reflect on the universal and personal application.

Source: http://www.reasons.org/blogs/take-two/a-look-at-10-or-so-commonly-misunderstood-bible-verses

[alphaparticle]

GE,

 

I suppose it never crossed my mind that God promised ease all of the time so I am always a little surprised when people think that ought to be the case. It occurred to me as I thought about that today in responding to your thread perhaps part of that is due to my background.

The nationalism thing bothers me a lot and I'd go so far as to say that if anything is a modern day idol love for the flag is. It doesn't mean that we can't or shouldn't respect leaders and laws (admittedly that was a hard thing I had to swallow when I went through the NT!) but when it gets to the point of dividing believers how can it be a good thing?

[nebula]

 

2 Chronicles 7:14

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

There are two common misunderstandings of this verse. First, that it’s a guarantee of prosperity. Second, that it applies to the reader’s land (for example, those in the US cite this verse for the National Day of Prayer). Yet the context indicates that the Lord is talking about Israel. The team suggests that if there is a general principle, it’s about God’s people. “It has nothing to do with our nation as a whole,” Bontrager explains, “because we [do not live] in a theocracy.”

 

Source: http://www.reasons.org/blogs/take-two/a-look-at-10-or-so-commonly-misunderstood-bible-verses

 

 

What do you think?

 

 

Would you say we should stop praying for our nation? That we should basically roll over and play dead with regards to the directions Hollywood and the political leaders are taking this nation and shaping our culture,a nd let them have their way?

[Sevenseas]

 

2 Chronicles 7:14

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

There are two common misunderstandings of this verse. First, that it’s a guarantee of prosperity. Second, that it applies to the reader’s land (for example, those in the US cite this verse for the National Day of Prayer). Yet the context indicates that the Lord is talking about Israel. The team suggests that if there is a general principle, it’s about God’s people. “It has nothing to do with our nation as a whole,” Bontrager explains, “because we [do not live] in a theocracy.”

 

Source: http://www.reasons.org/blogs/take-two/a-look-at-10-or-so-commonly-misunderstood-bible-verses

 

 

What do you think?

 

 

Actually I don't see prosperity there although I suppose it might be a side effect...what I read and or understand, is that God is more interested in people repenting...so that He might forgive their sins and then take away the effects of that sin from the land in which they live.  I suppose one could argue what those effects are?  How about catastrophes attributed to 'nature'? or sickness or hard heartedness?  

 

What does prosper mean in the context of scripture; in the context of God stating I will 'heal'?  

 

I can almost understand that God is saying...you have forgotten Me.

 

As God had/has a unique relationship with Israel that He has never had with another country, I would question applying those verses in a general sense to any one country.  I believe an individual could certainly apply it to themself as God basically always asks for the same thing.