Texts on Suffering: 2 Chronicles 4 - 11

Sorry for the long delay. I've been in Peoria, IL for training a couple days this last week, and Misha and I have just been busy. Let's go.

2 Chronicles 6 - 7

The most specific references to suffering occur in the following verses: 2 Chr 6:24-30, 2 Chr 6:36-39, and 2 Chr 7:12-22. These verses find themselves in the larger context of the completion of the temple and Solomon's prayer of dedication of the people of Israel and the temple. The prayer of dedication is beautifully constructed and follows the following pattern. If God's people find themselves in sin or suffering because of sin and his people repent of sin and plead with God for mercy, then God will hear their prayers and forgive their sin. Each situation follows the same pattern. However, it is interesting to note the different situations.

1. "If a man sins against his neighbor..." - Solomon calls for justice.
   
2. "If your people Israel are defeated before the enemy because they have sinned against you [God]..." - It is implied in this phrase that, in some instances, a person's defeat is due to his sin. Yet, if he were to repent and cry for forgiveness, God would hear his cry and grant forgiveness and mercy.
   
3. "When heaven is shut up and there is no rain because they have sinned against you [God]..." - It is also implied in this phrase that, in some instances, famines are sent over the land because of the sin of people. However, if they were to repent and plead for forgiveness, God would hear their cry and grant forgiveness and mercy, opening up the clouds again.
   
4. "If there is famine in the land, if there is pestilence or blight or mildew or locust or caterpillar, if their enemies besiege them in the land at their gates, whatever plague, whatever sickness there is..." - Again this instance is similar to the first three in pattern. However, I believe that Solomon means this instance to be all-encompassing of any suffering for any individual. Note in verse 30 how personally involved God is in each individual person, not just collective Israel. Again, Solomon cries for mercy, and God gives.
   
5. "If they sin against you - for there is no one who does not sin - and you are angry with them and give them to an enemy..." - Same pattern. One thing to note. It is God who gives over to the enemy.

In the next chapter, God appears to Solomon in the night, telling Solomon that he has heard his prayer. In God's response, he basically affirms Solomon's pleas. If God's people sin and suffering befalls them (because of sin or not) and they repent of their sin, God will hear their cries, forgive their sins, and heal their land.

The overwhelming themes of these verses is twofold.

1. Sin, Repentance, and Mercy
2. God Hears Prayers and Responds