2 chronicles 12:7 - When Yahweh saw that they humbled themselves, Yahweh’s word came to Shemaiah, saying, “They have humbled themselves. I will not destroy them; but I will grant them some deliverance, and my wrath won’t be poured out on Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak.

Generated Verse: 2 chronicles 12:7

What does "2 chronicles 12:7" mean?


This verse from 2 Chronicles 12:7 describes a moment of divine intervention after the kingdom of Judah experienced a military setback. Let's break down the meaning:

Context: King Rehoboam of Judah had forsaken God's law. As a result, God sent Shishak, the king of Egypt, to invade and plunder Jerusalem. Judah was in a dire situation.

"When Yahweh saw that they humbled themselves": Faced with the imminent threat of destruction, Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah humbled themselves before God. This likely involved admitting their sin, repenting of their disobedience, and pleading for mercy.

"Yahweh's word came to Shemaiah": Shemaiah was a prophet. God communicated His message to the people through him.

"They have humbled themselves. I will not destroy them": God acknowledged their humility. Their repentance moved Him to have compassion. He decided against complete annihilation of the kingdom.

"but I will grant them some deliverance": God promises a partial reprieve. He will not completely remove the consequences of their actions, but He will lessen the severity of the punishment.

"and my wrath won't be poured out on Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak": God's anger, which was manifested through Shishak's invasion, would be restrained. Shishak would not be allowed to utterly destroy Jerusalem.

In essence, the verse demonstrates the following key themes:

God's Response to Humility: God is responsive to a humble and repentant heart. Humility is a prerequisite for receiving God's mercy.
Conditional Judgment: Divine judgment can be averted or mitigated through repentance and a turning back to God.
Partial Deliverance: God doesn't always completely erase the consequences of sin, but He often shows mercy and limits the extent of the punishment.
God's Sovereignty: God remains in control. He can use foreign powers to accomplish His purposes, but He also has the power to limit their actions.

The verse illustrates a principle found throughout the Old Testament: God desires a relationship with His people based on obedience and humility. When they stray, He provides opportunities for repentance and restoration, even if complete restoration is not always possible.