2 chronicles 6:38 - if they return to you with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity, where they have carried them captive, and pray toward their land, which you gave to their fathers, and the city which you have chosen, and toward the house which I have built for your name;
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What does "2 chronicles 6:38" mean?
This verse, 2 Chronicles 6:38, is part of Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem. It outlines a scenario of the Israelites being taken captive due to their disobedience to God. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"if they return to you with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity...": This is the crucial condition. It emphasizes a sincere, complete repentance. It's not just outward conformity, but a genuine turning back to God with their entire being. This repentance must happen in the land of their captivity, meaning even amidst hardship and punishment, they must acknowledge their sin and seek forgiveness.
"...where they have carried them captive...": This acknowledges that their captivity is a consequence of their own actions. It's not an arbitrary punishment, but a result of breaking the covenant with God. It emphasizes their situation of powerlessness and dependence on God's mercy.
"...and pray toward their land, which you gave to their fathers, and the city which you have chosen, and toward the house which I have built for your name...": This describes the direction and focus of their prayer. They are to pray:
Toward their land: This represents their longing for restoration and return to their homeland, the land God promised to their ancestors. It shows they still considered themselves tied to that land and its covenant with God, even in exile.
Toward the city which you have chosen (Jerusalem): Jerusalem was God's chosen city and the center of their national and religious identity. Praying towards it signifies their continued allegiance to God and their hope for the restoration of the Davidic kingdom.
Toward the house which I have built for your name (the Temple): The Temple was the physical dwelling place of God's presence among them, a place of sacrifice, worship, and atonement. Praying toward it demonstrates their faith in God's forgiveness and their desire for renewed fellowship with Him. It's a symbolic act recognizing God's presence and power, even though they are physically separated from it.
In essence, this verse is a promise contingent upon sincere repentance. It suggests that even in the direst of circumstances – captivity in a foreign land – God will hear the prayers of His people if they turn to Him with genuine repentance, longing for restoration, and faith in His promises. It emphasizes God's mercy and His willingness to forgive and restore those who truly seek Him. It is a testament to the enduring covenant between God and his people, even when they are unfaithful. It also foreshadows the later exiles of Israel and Judah, and provides a pattern for seeking God's forgiveness during periods of national hardship.
2 chronicles 6:38 - if they return to you with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity, where they have carried them captive, and pray toward their land, which you gave to their fathers, and the city which you have chosen, and toward the house which I have built for your name;
What does "2 chronicles 6:38" mean?
This verse, 2 Chronicles 6:38, is part of Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem. It outlines a scenario of the Israelites being taken captive due to their disobedience to God. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"if they return to you with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity...": This is the crucial condition. It emphasizes a sincere, complete repentance. It's not just outward conformity, but a genuine turning back to God with their entire being. This repentance must happen in the land of their captivity, meaning even amidst hardship and punishment, they must acknowledge their sin and seek forgiveness.
"...where they have carried them captive...": This acknowledges that their captivity is a consequence of their own actions. It's not an arbitrary punishment, but a result of breaking the covenant with God. It emphasizes their situation of powerlessness and dependence on God's mercy.
"...and pray toward their land, which you gave to their fathers, and the city which you have chosen, and toward the house which I have built for your name...": This describes the direction and focus of their prayer. They are to pray:
Toward their land: This represents their longing for restoration and return to their homeland, the land God promised to their ancestors. It shows they still considered themselves tied to that land and its covenant with God, even in exile.
Toward the city which you have chosen (Jerusalem): Jerusalem was God's chosen city and the center of their national and religious identity. Praying towards it signifies their continued allegiance to God and their hope for the restoration of the Davidic kingdom.
Toward the house which I have built for your name (the Temple): The Temple was the physical dwelling place of God's presence among them, a place of sacrifice, worship, and atonement. Praying toward it demonstrates their faith in God's forgiveness and their desire for renewed fellowship with Him. It's a symbolic act recognizing God's presence and power, even though they are physically separated from it.
In essence, this verse is a promise contingent upon sincere repentance. It suggests that even in the direst of circumstances – captivity in a foreign land – God will hear the prayers of His people if they turn to Him with genuine repentance, longing for restoration, and faith in His promises. It emphasizes God's mercy and His willingness to forgive and restore those who truly seek Him. It is a testament to the enduring covenant between God and his people, even when they are unfaithful. It also foreshadows the later exiles of Israel and Judah, and provides a pattern for seeking God's forgiveness during periods of national hardship.