In the biblical narrative, the concept of divine judgment is a recurring theme, often depicted as a response to sin and disobedience. However, Scripture also reveals that such judgments can be averted through genuine humility and repentance. This principle is illustrated in several key passages throughout the Bible, demonstrating God's mercy and willingness to relent from sending calamity when His people humble themselves before Him.

1. Nineveh's Repentance (Jonah 3:4-10):
One of the most striking examples of judgment being averted through humility is found in the account of Nineveh. God sent the prophet Jonah to proclaim impending destruction due to the city's wickedness. Jonah 3:4-5 states, "On the first day of his journey, Jonah set out into the city and proclaimed, 'Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned!' And the people of Nineveh believed God. They proclaimed a fast and dressed in sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least." The king of Nineveh also humbled himself, issuing a decree for fasting and repentance. As a result, Jonah 3:10 records, "When God saw their actions—that they had turned from their evil ways—He relented from the disaster He had threatened to bring upon them."

2. King Hezekiah's Humility (2 Kings 20:1-6):
King Hezekiah of Judah faced a dire prophecy from the prophet Isaiah, who told him to set his house in order because he would die. In response, Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed earnestly, weeping bitterly. 2 Kings 20:5-6 recounts God's response: "Return and tell Hezekiah, the leader of My people, 'This is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you. On the third day from now you will go up to the house of the LORD. I will add fifteen years to your life.'" Hezekiah's humility and sincere prayer led to the extension of his life and the postponement of judgment.

3. Ahab's Temporary Reprieve (1 Kings 21:27-29):
King Ahab, known for his wickedness, received a severe judgment from God through the prophet Elijah. However, upon hearing the words of judgment, Ahab tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and fasted. 1 Kings 21:29 reveals God's response: "Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before Me? Because he has humbled himself before Me, I will not bring the disaster in his days; but in his son's days I will bring the disaster upon his house." Although Ahab's repentance was not complete, his temporary humility delayed the judgment.

4. The Promise of 2 Chronicles 7:14:
The principle that judgment can be averted through humility is encapsulated in the promise found in 2 Chronicles 7:14 : "And 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, forgive their sin, and heal their land." This verse underscores the conditional nature of divine judgment and the power of collective repentance and humility to invoke God's mercy.

5. Josiah's Reforms (2 Kings 22:18-20):
King Josiah of Judah, upon hearing the words of the Book of the Law, tore his clothes in distress and sought the Lord. God acknowledged Josiah's humility and promised that the impending disaster would not occur during his reign. 2 Kings 22:19-20 states, "Because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before the LORD when you heard what I spoke against this place and its people...I have heard you, declares the LORD. Therefore, I will gather you to your fathers, and you will be buried in peace. Your eyes will not see all the disaster I am going to bring upon this place."

These accounts collectively illustrate the biblical principle that divine judgments, though justly deserved, can be averted when individuals or nations humble themselves, repent, and seek God's mercy. The consistent message is that God is compassionate and responsive to genuine acts of humility and repentance, offering forgiveness and restoration in place of judgment.Exodus 33:3,4,14
To a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up in the middle of you; for you are a stiff necked people: lest I consume you in the way.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Chronicles 7:14
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Holy Exercises of Resignation.
... those from whom my nature is most averted.17. ... correspondence with the world, that
so I may attend to ... myself to Thy most wise and secret judgments concerning my ...
/.../holy exercises of resignation.htm

"Nineveh, that Great City"
... Their doom was averted, the God of Israel was exalted ... Thousands may thus be reached
with saving truth and ... In quick succession the judgments of God will follow ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 22 nineveh that great.htm

The Greater Prophets.
... are fast approaching, and which can be averted only by ... of his own age, and the heavy
judgments of God ... for all time, in which wicked nations may see themselves ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxii the greater prophets.htm

Covenant Duties.
... so that, if possible, there might be averted the crisis ... I have chosen the way of
truth: thy judgments have I ... the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter iv covenant duties.htm

Crucified, Dead, and Buried. '
... with Messiah, or even with the Messianic judgments, and the ... One of the soldiers -
may we not be allowed ... hindered in his good deed, yet averted the opposition ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xv crucified dead and.htm

And ii.
... it to seven rivers, so that one may wade through ... of God, purified by the divine
judgments, shall be ... at the time when Christ appeared in His humiliation, is not ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap i and ii.htm

The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
... and more the justice of his judgments, Deiokes, finding ... of the two streams of
immigration may be placed in ... Having thus averted the Cimmerian danger, he was able ...
/.../chapter iithe power of assyria 2.htm

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