What can we learn about God's response to humility in 2 Chronicles 12:6? Setting the Scene • King Rehoboam and Judah had turned away from the LORD, so God allowed Egypt’s King Shishak to invade (2 Chron 12:1–5). • The prophet Shemaiah announced that the invasion was God’s judgment: “You have abandoned Me; therefore I have abandoned you” (v. 5). • Faced with certain defeat, “the leaders of Israel and the king humbled themselves and said, ‘The LORD is righteous’ ” (v. 6). Key Verse 2 Chronicles 12:6: “So the leaders of Israel and the king humbled themselves and said, ‘The LORD is righteous.’ ” What Humility Looked Like Here • Acknowledging God’s righteousness instead of defending themselves. • Accepting that the judgment was deserved. • Placing themselves under God’s authority without bargaining. How God Responded • Verse 7 records God’s immediate reaction: “They have humbled themselves; therefore I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance.” • Judgment was tempered; the city was spared total destruction. • God still allowed consequences (tribute to Egypt, vv. 8–9), yet His mercy prevailed over complete ruin. Principles We Can Draw • God notices sincere humility the moment it appears. • Confession of God’s righteousness opens the door to divine mercy. • Humility does not erase every consequence, but it does replace wrath with restoration. • The LORD’s character is consistent: He resists pride yet pours out grace on the lowly (cf. James 4:6). Other Scriptures that Echo This Truth • 2 Chronicles 7:14 — Humbling ourselves precedes healing of the land. • Isaiah 66:2 — God esteems the one who is humble and contrite in spirit. • Psalm 34:18 — “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” • Luke 18:13–14 — The tax collector’s humble plea led to justification. • 1 Peter 5:5–6 — “Humble yourselves…that He may exalt you in due time.” Living It Out • Regularly acknowledge God’s righteous standards. • Respond to conviction quickly with confession rather than excuses. • Embrace any needed discipline, trusting that God’s mercy outweighs His wrath for the humble. • Cultivate a lifestyle of dependence on God, keeping pride at bay and God’s favor close. |
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