Revival

Revival is a theological theme, representing a profound reawakening of spiritual fervor within the Church. The contemporary Church is at a crossroads, grappling with secular influences and internal complacency. In this milieu, the call for revival is not just timely but essential. Central to this discourse is the scriptural mandate found in 2 Chronicles 7:14, which many Biblical scholars consider the greatest formula for revival ever penned. This verse underscores the necessity for God's people, who are called by His name, to humble themselves, pray, and seek His face.

The significance of 2 Chronicles 7:14 transcends its Old Testament context, offering a timeless blueprint for spiritual renewal. It connects intrinsically with the mission of the Church and the essence of the Gospel, calling believers to a posture of humility and repentance. As John Piper elucidates, "Seeking the Lord means seeking his presence. 'Presence' is a common translation of the Hebrew word 'face.' Literally, we are to seek his 'face.' However, this is the Hebraic way of having access to God. To be before his face is to be in his presence" (Piper, 2020).

This blog post explores the depths of 2 Chronicles 7:14 from a theological perspective. By conducting an exegetical analysis of the passage and related scriptures, we aim to uncover the Biblical foundation for revival and its implications for the modern Church. We will delve into the original Hebrew language to extract nuanced meanings and examine how humility, prayer, and seeking God's face are integral to experiencing genuine revival.

Exegetical Analysis

To fully grasp the theological weight of 2 Chronicles 7:14, examining the passage within its scriptural context and exploring the original Hebrew language is imperative.

Scriptural Context

2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV) states:

"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."

This verse is part of God's response to King Solomon after the dedication of the Temple. In 2 Chronicles 7:12-16, the LORD appears to Solomon by night, assuring him that the prayers offered in the Temple will be heard:

"Then the LORD appeared to Solomon in the night and said to him: 'I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a house of sacrifice'" (2 Chronicles 7:12, ESV).

God's message to Solomon serves as both a promise and a warning. It acknowledges the possibility of future calamities—drought, locusts, and pestilence—as consequences of Israel's disobedience. However, it offers a redemptive path through humility, prayer, and seeking God's face.

Key Hebrew Terms and Etymology

We examine key Hebrew words in 2 Chronicles 7:14 and their etymology to deepen our understanding.

1. "Humble Themselves" (Hebrew: יִכָּנְעוּ, yikkāneʿū)

 The verb yikkāneʿū is derived from the root כָּנַע (kānaʿ), meaning "to be humbled" or "to be subdued." It conveys a sense of submitting oneself to a higher authority. In the Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament (TWOT), kānaʿ is associated with the notion of bending the knee in submission (Harris, Archer, & Waltke, 1980).

2. "Pray" (Hebrew: וְיִתְפַּלְלוּ, wĕyitpallĕlû)

 The term wĕyitpallĕlû comes from the root פָּלַל (pālal), meaning "to intercede" or "to supplicate." It implies a heartfelt plea or entreaty to God. According to Brown, Driver, and Briggs' Hebrew and English Lexicon (BDB), pālal denotes an act of intercession or judgment (Brown, Driver, & Briggs, 1906).

3. "Seek My Face" (Hebrew: וִיבַקְשׁוּ פָנַי, wĕyĕbaqšû pānāy)

 The phrase wĕyĕbaqšû pānāy combines the verb baqash (בָּקַשׁ), meaning "to seek," with pānāy (פָּנַי), meaning "my face." The term pānîm (face) in Hebrew often represents presence or personhood. Thus, seeking God's face signifies pursuing His presence intimately. In the New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology and Exegesis (NIDOTTE), baqash is associated with seeking earnestly or diligently (VanGemeren, 1997).

4. "Turn from Their Wicked Ways" (Hebrew: וְיָשׁוּבוּ מִדַּרְכֵיהֶם הָרָעִים, wĕyāšûbû middarkêhem hārāʿîm)

 The verb yāšûbû comes from שׁוּב (šûb), meaning "to return" or "to turn back." It is a common term for repentance in the Old Testament. Darkêhem (their ways) derives from דֶּרֶךְ (derek), meaning "way" or "path," and hārāʿîm means "the evil." Therefore, the phrase emphasizes a complete reversal of evil conduct.

Interpretation of Key Verses

The call to humility (yikkāneʿū) indicates a relinquishing of pride and self-reliance, acknowledging one's dependence on God. Prayer (wĕyitpallĕlû) is portrayed as an earnest intercession, bridging the gap between humanity and the Divine. Seeking God's face (wĕyĕbaqšû pānāy) suggests an intimate pursuit of His presence beyond mere ritualistic observance. Turning from wicked ways (wĕyāšûbû middarkêhem hārāʿîm) encapsulates the essence of repentance, involving both a change of mind and direction.

Related Scriptural References

The theme of seeking God is prevalent throughout the Books of 1 and 2 Chronicles:

1 Chronicles 16:11 (ESV): "Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!"

1 Chronicles 28:8 (ESV): "Now therefore in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the LORD, and in the hearing of our God, observe and seek out all the commandments of the LORD your God..."

2 Chronicles 11:16 (ESV): "And those who had set their hearts to seek the LORD God of Israel came after them from all the tribes of Israel..."

These passages reinforce the imperative of diligently pursuing God, highlighting the joy and strength found in His presence.

Examples of Humility, Prayer, Seeking, and Turning

The Chronicles provide narratives that exemplify the principles outlined in 2 Chronicles 7:14:

1. Humility

 Rehoboam: "Then the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves and said, 'The LORD is righteous'" (2 Chronicles 12:6, ESV). Rehoboam's humility led to God's mercy, averting total destruction.

 Hezekiah: "But Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem..." (2 Chronicles 32:26, ESV).

2. Prayer

 Hezekiah's Intercession: "For a majority of the people...had not cleansed themselves, yet they ate the Passover otherwise than as prescribed. For Hezekiah had prayed for them..." (2 Chronicles 30:18, ESV).

 Manasseh's Repentance: "And when he prayed to him, God was moved by his entreaty and heard his plea..." (2 Chronicles 33:13, ESV).

3. Seeking God

 Returning Priests and Faithful: "And those who had set their hearts to seek the LORD God of Israel came..." (2 Chronicles 11:16, ESV).

 Jehoshaphat: "Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah" (2 Chronicles 20:3, ESV).

4. Turning from Wicked Ways

 Hezekiah's Reforms: "Do not now be stiff-necked as your fathers were, but yield yourselves to the LORD and come to his sanctuary..." (2 Chronicles 30:8, ESV).

Theological Discussion

The Evangelical Perspective on Revival

From an evangelical standpoint, revival is a sovereign work of God that brings about a profound transformation in individuals and communities. It is characterized by an increased awareness of God's holiness, genuine repentance, and a renewed commitment to His purposes. The principles laid out in 2 Chronicles 7:14 serve as a roadmap for believers seeking revival.

Humility as a Prerequisite

Humility is foundational to experiencing God's grace. The Apostle Peter echoes this sentiment: "Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble'" (1 Peter 5:5, ESV). By humbling ourselves, we acknowledge our insufficiency and God's sovereignty.

Prayer as Communication and Dependence

Prayer is the lifeline of the believer, fostering communion with God. It reflects dependence on Him and aligns our will with His. The Apostle Paul exhorts the Church: "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17, ESV). Revival is often preceded by persistent, heartfelt prayer.

Seeking God's Face: Pursuit of His Presence

Seeking God's face implies an intentional pursuit of His presence. It goes beyond seeking His hand (what He can provide) to desiring an intimate relationship with Him. As the Psalmist declares: "You have said, 'Seek my face.' My heart says to you, 'Your face, LORD, do I seek'" (Psalm 27:8, ESV).

John Piper emphasizes that seeking God's face is about accessing His presence: "It is the conscious fixing or focusing of our mind's attention and our heart's affection on God" (Piper, 2018). This pursuit leads to transformation as we behold His glory.

Turning from Wicked Ways

Repentance involves a decisive turn from sin toward God. It is not merely feeling remorse but entails a change in direction. The Prophet Isaiah captures this: "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD..." (Isaiah 55:7, ESV).

In the New Testament, Jesus begins His ministry with a call to repentance: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 4:17, ESV). The call to turn from wicked ways remains central to the Gospel message.

Implications for Believers and the Church

The conditions in 2 Chronicles 7:14 are as relevant today as they were in Solomon's time. The Church, identified as God's people called by His name, is responsible for initiating revival through obedience to these divine directives.

The Promise of Forgiveness and Healing

God's response to the obedience of His people is threefold:

1. He Will Hear from Heaven: Indicates God's attentiveness to our prayers.

2. He Will Forgive Their Sin: Emphasizes the restoration of fellowship with God.

3. He Will Heal Their Land: Suggests both spiritual and physical restoration.

The healing of the land can be understood metaphorically as the renewal of communities and societies impacted by the Gospel's transformative power.

Counterarguments and Alternate Interpretations

Some theologians argue that 2 Chronicles 7:14 was a specific promise to Israel and not directly applicable to the Church today. They contend that the land refers exclusively to the Promised Land and that the conditions are tied to the Old Covenant.

However, the Apostle Paul states, "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16, ESV). While recognizing the historical context, the principles of humility, prayer, seeking God, and repentance are timeless and universally applicable.

Moreover, the New Testament reinforces these themes:

Humility: "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you" (James 4:10, ESV).

Prayer: "The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working" (James 5:16, ESV).

Seeking God: "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you" (James 4:8, ESV).

Repentance: "Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out" (Acts 3:19, ESV).

Insights from Renowned Theologians

Renowned theologians have underscored the necessity of these principles for revival:

Charles Spurgeon: "Brethren, we want renewed appearances, fresh manifestations, new visitations from on high... We now seek and ask for a second visitation of the Most High" (Spurgeon, 1872).

A.W. Tozer: "The complacency of Christians is the scandal of Christianity" (Tozer, 1950). He emphasized the need for believers to seek God earnestly.

Conclusion

Exploring 2 Chronicles 7:14 reveals a profound and practical divine formula for revival. The call to humble ourselves, pray, seek God's face, and turn from wicked ways is a timeless prescription for spiritual renewal. This passage addresses not only individual believers but also the collective body of the Church.

Revival begins when God's people recognize their desperate need for Him and respond in obedience to His Word. The promise that God will hear from heaven, forgive sin, and heal the land offers hope for transformation in a world rife with moral and spiritual decay.

As the Church embraces these principles, it aligns itself with God's redemptive purposes. Pursuing God's presence catalyzes change, ushering in a renewed passion for His glory. The broader impact on the Christian faith and the Church is immeasurable, fostering unity, holiness, and a powerful witness to the world.

In the words of the Prophet Jeremiah: "You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:13, ESV). May the Church heed this call, setting hearts ablaze with a fervent desire for God's presence, and thereby experience the revival that only He can bring.