How does God's decision in 2 Chronicles 12:7 affect your view of consequences? Setting the Stage • Rehoboam and Judah have drifted into unfaithfulness. • God allows Shishak of Egypt to invade as a wake-up call. • Leaders and king humble themselves before the LORD. Reading the Verse “ ‘They have humbled themselves; therefore I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance, and My wrath shall not be poured out on Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak.’ ” (2 Chronicles 12:7) Humbling Hearts, Adjusted Outcomes • God notices genuine repentance—“When the LORD saw that they had humbled themselves….” • Destruction is averted; He chooses “some deliverance” instead of total ruin. • Judgment is still real, yet measured. The invader strips the temple’s treasure (vv. 9-10), but Jerusalem survives. Mercy Does Not Erase Every Consequence • Judah keeps its life but loses its gold—grace without indulgence. • Galatians 6:7-8 reminds, “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked….”. Sow rebellion, reap loss—even when spared. • Hebrews 12:6: “For the Lord disciplines the one He loves…”. Discipline remains an act of love, not wrath. • Exodus 34:6-7 shows the same blend: compassionate yet “He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished”. Lessons for Our Understanding of Consequences • God’s decisions are personal. He weighs real-time humility, not just past failures. • Repentance can shorten or soften consequences, but usually does not erase them. • Divine mercy aims to restore, not simply relieve pain; lingering consequences keep us sober. • Because Scripture is literal and trustworthy, we can anchor our expectations: sin always costs something, grace always offers hope. Supporting Passages That Echo This Truth • Jonah 3:10—Nineveh repents; destruction delayed. • Psalm 103:10—“He has not dealt with us according to our sins”. • 2 Chronicles 7:14—humility leads to healing. Living This Out Today • Take sin seriously; consequences are real. • Run quickly to humility—God is eager to temper judgment. • Accept remaining fallout as loving discipline, not rejection. • Let past mercy fuel present obedience, remembering Romans 2:4—kindness is meant to lead us to repentance. |
    |