As part of my devotions I do a read through the Bible programme This morning I was reading in 2 Chronicles 6 and came across this, probably controversial passage:
"Moreover, concerning a foreigner, who is not of Your people Israel, but has come from a far country for the sake of Your great name and Your mighty hand and Your outstretched arm, when they come and pray in this temple; then hear from heaven Your dwelling place, and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to You, that all peoples of the earth may know Your name and fear You, as do Your people Israel, and that they may know that this temple which I have built is called by Your name. "When Your people go out to battle against their enemies, wherever You send them, and when they pray to You toward this city which You have chosen and the temple which I have built for Your name, then hear from heaven their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause.
Now, if I were to mention this as a principle that might be applied to immigrants coming in a nation I would hear that 'O, well, you have to look at the context. This was for Israel, you cant' apply it to countries today.'
But then when we come across a verse like 2 Chronicles 7.14, just a little bit after that passage, it says:
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 will forgive their sin and heal their land.
That does apply to modern nations and it is a promise we can claim.
What am I missing?
5 comments:
I agree that some of the principles in ch 6 should be applied. But I am also of the opinion that the verse in 7:14 is not a promise carries out to modern nations. He specifically is addressing his people here. Again, there are principles here that I need, but I do not believe this to be a promise I can claim for the US .
As a second point, I would note that the passage in ch 6 addresses only foreigners that come for the sake of the name of the Lord and his protection. Foreigners that did not want to follow those guidelines were run out. I'm not saying we should do that. Just bringing into question applying the passage to the current problem. Using that principle, I could argue that illegals, since they are breaking the law, should be run out.
Regardless of a Christian's opinion, I do agree that as a group, we have failed to show compassion here as well as to exercise the great commission. The way I have heard most Christians address this issue, it would make it either impossible or extremely hipocritical for them to turn around and witness for Christ. I do think American Christianity, and maybe Western Christianity as a whole will in the next decade come to a tipping point where Christians will have to directly decide, "Am I a citizen of the US or a citizen of heaven." My personal experience has been that we have not taught Americans how to separate the difference. I myself have been guilty of that.
“when they come and pray in this temple” To me, this implies the foreigner is assimilating, he is becoming part of their culture. The current wave of ILLEGAL immigrants are, for the most part, here to take advantage of us not assimilate. I don’t know anyone that is opposed to LEGAL immigration. People who go through the process legally are more invested in making the country a better place rather than taking advantage of us.
Matt O
Chapter 6 begins with, "Then said Solomon" and as I read that first passage, I think Solomon is asking God to bless a stranger who comes to Israel and the temple seeking God.
There are other passages where God tells Israel how to treat strangers that I would look at if I wanted to infer something about immigration.
Personally, I think 7:14 can be *applied* in principle to other nations, but is only *promised* to Israel.
I had been taught that 7:14 only applies to Israel and it cannot be claimed by the Christian modern nations. One of those dispensationalist interpretations. Ken Neate
Thanks for the responses. Apologies for the delay in responding, I am not getting the notifications of posts needing approval, I 'll have a look at that. I appreciate your thoughts and the way you put things.
My own view is that neither passage can be applied to modern nations. They were part of the dedication prayer at the Temple. As someone said, we can apply a principle, like humility and repentance and apply them to today, but these cannot be taken as promise.
I especially like this thought from anon:
Regardless of a Christian's opinion, I do agree that as a group, we have failed to show compassion here as well as to exercise the great commission. The way I have heard most Christians address this issue, it would make it either impossible or extremely hipocritical for them to turn around and witness for Christ. I do think American Christianity, and maybe Western Christianity as a whole will in the next decade come to a tipping point where Christians will have to directly decide, "Am I a citizen of the US or a citizen of heaven." My personal experience has been that we have not taught Americans how to separate the difference. I myself have been guilty of that.
This nails the issue. No matter how our governments respond we as Christians must see situations like this in the light of eternity. I would even contend that if we have a chance to show compassion to 'illegals' we should take that chance to be a witness. I have a friend who is, at the moment I think, fostering an 'illegal' while court decisions are being made. What a perfect solution to this situation.
Thanks again. I will look and see whay I am not being notified.
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