“When your people Israel sin against you and in consequence are defeated by an enemy; then if they turn back to you, acknowledge your name, and pray and make their plea to you in this house; hear in heaven, forgive the sin of your people Israel, and bring them back to the land you gave to their ancestors.” – 1 Kings 8:33-34
Solomon’s 2nd prayer request deals with what happens when Israel rebels as a nation.
The consequences are clear.
The Lord will send oppression from a Gentile enemy, and Israel will be exiled.
The idea is that when Adonai executes His furious judgment by exiling a good portion of His people to a foreign land…
Those remaining will witness the sins their people committed.
Then go to the Temple to pray for forgiveness.
As a result, Adonai will hear their prayers and show mercy.
This pattern shouldn’t surprise you.
Why?
Because that’s precisely what Scripture tells us will happen.
Here are the Torah references:
“I will turn my face against you,
and enemies defeat you.
Those who hate you will pursue you relentlessly.
You will flee even when nobody pursues you.”
Leviticus 26:17 CJB
“ADONAI your God will cause your enemies to defeat you.
You will attack them one way,
then flee seven ways.
You will become a terrifying sight throughout every kingdom.“
Deuteronomy 28:25 CJB
Tragically, history tells us that’s exactly what happened.
And we have the Scripture record to prove it.
There’s an important takeaway we can extract from this.
Here’s what’s coming to me.
Don’t make the theological mistake of thinking that God judging His people means He has cast them away forever.
That’s the mistake the gentile church has made with their idiotic replacement theology.
The Lord is disciplining His People so that they will return to Him.
It is severe discipline for sure.
But discipline nonetheless.
So for the billionth time already…
Never forget that…
The Lord has made an eternal covenant with His people that will never be broken…
Despite all of their sins.
And I betcha if you take a good, honest look at your life…
I think you’ll find it never quite measured up to the Lord’s holy standard either.
Ya feel me here?
Done.
CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT
“…and in this way all Israel will be saved.
As it is written:
‘The deliverer will come from Zion;
he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.'”
Romans 11:26
Leave a Reply