2 chronicles 12:12 - When he humbled himself, Yahweh’s wrath turned from him, so as not to destroy him altogether. Moreover, there were good things found in Judah.

Generated Verse: 2 chronicles 12:12

What does "2 chronicles 12:12" mean?


This verse from 2 Chronicles 12:12 refers to the reign of King Rehoboam in Judah. Let's break down its meaning:

"When he humbled himself...": This refers to King Rehoboam acknowledging his wrongdoing and submitting to God. In the preceding verses, Rehoboam had abandoned God's law, leading to an invasion by the Egyptian Pharaoh Shishak. The prophet Shemaiah rebuked Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah for forsaking God, and this verse indicates their response was one of humility and repentance.

"...Yahweh's wrath turned from him, so as not to destroy him altogether.": Because Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah humbled themselves, God lessened the severity of his punishment. The invasion still happened, and they were forced to pay tribute to Egypt, but God did not allow the complete destruction of Judah as might have been expected.

"Moreover, there were good things found in Judah.": This suggests that despite the apostasy and the divine judgment, there were still some righteous people and some elements of faithfulness remaining in the kingdom. This hints at a potential for future restoration and a reason why God didn't completely abandon them. It implies that there was some underlying goodness that provided a foundation for hope.

In Summary:

The verse means that when King Rehoboam and the people of Judah humbled themselves and repented of their sins, God lessened his judgment and did not completely destroy them. The fact that some good remained in Judah was another reason for God's mercy. This verse illustrates the principle that repentance can mitigate God's judgment and that even in times of widespread sin, pockets of righteousness can influence God's dealings. It also highlights God's willingness to show mercy when people turn from their wicked ways.