“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.”
Here’s the punch line first: “their
land” = “the whole earth,” not just “my country.”
The original context was about three
millennia ago, at the dedication of King Solomon’s temple. A millennium later
Jesus of Nazareth came, lived, died, rose, ascended, and was enthroned as the
entire world’s Suffering King. Jesus was both Israel’s Messiah and the entire
world’s Savior. Jesus expanded “Israel” to mean all kinds of people who
would follow him. For II Chronicles 7:14, “my people” expands to all of
Jesus’s followers worldwide, irrespective of nationality, ethnicity,
socio-economic class, or any other distinction.
Our identity as Jesus’s followers
affects, encompasses, but is not restricted to any of these categories. To
humble ourselves, repent, and pray for God’s merciful healing of “our land” as
“God’s people” similarly should not be restricted to my socio-economic class,
ethnicity, nationality, gender, or whatever. The power of national
identity often constrains us to assume that “our land” = “my country.” In actuality, however, God’s
merciful healing of “our land” encompasses the “whole earth.” We are awaiting a
“new heaven and new earth,” not simply a new national entity - all of which
change, come, and go throughout history.
The Jesus-fulfilled prayer: “If my
worldwide 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 the still unredeemed earth.” May it be so, Lord
Jesus. Come quickly!
