CPN 0006

1. CPN 0006

2. How to Reclaim America -- Part 3 This is part 3 of a series of studies on reclaiming America. In previous discussions, we have stated a belief that our Government, indeed even America, is out of control, and that we, the Church, have been asleep at the wheel. As we have stated before, the task of RECLAIMING AMERICA belongs to us. As the Church goes, so goes the nation! Who better to “call for justice and plead for truth”, as Isaiah teaches, than she who holds justice and truth in her bosom? This third part is a study of the most significant verse of holy scripture for Christian patriotism – a verse which holds the KEYS for restoration of our godly heritage.

3. This verse was spoken by the LORD GOD at the dedication of Solomon’s Temple, around 960 BC.

4. And yet, the timelessness of the text of this verse authenticates it, specifically, for Christian patriotic use today – 30 years shy of 3 millennia after it was first spoken.

5. “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.” (2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV)

6. Exegesis of 2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV, using Strong‘s Exhaustive Concordance “If my people,H5971 whichH834 are calledH7121H5921 by my name,H8034 shall humble themselves,H3665 and pray,H6419 and seekH1245 my face,H6440 and turnH7725 from their wickedH7451 ways;H4480H1870 then will IH589 hearH8085 fromH4480 heaven,H8064 and will forgiveH5545 their sin,H2403 and will healH7495(H853) their land.H776”

7. H5971 “If my people” ‛am am From H6004; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively a flock: - folk, men, nation, people. Is this phrase “If my people” to be applied individually, or collectively, singular, or plural? Who are God’s people? It applies specifically, and collectively, to God’s universal Church, and to local or national groups, or associations, or denominations of believers/followers.

8. H834 “which” 'ăsher, pronounced ash-er‘ simply shows connection between God’s people and their calling H7121 together with H5921, the word ‛al, = “are called” qa^ra^‘ ‛al (read from right to left, al kaw-raw’) A primitive root (rather identical with H7122 through the idea of accosting a person met); to call out to (that is, properly address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications): - bewray [self], that are bidden, call (for, forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite, mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim (-ation), pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say. H8034 “by my name” she^m, pronounced shame A primitive word (perhaps rather from H7760 through the idea of definite and conspicuous position; compare H8064); an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character: - + base, [in-] fame [-ous], name (-d), renown, report. “my people, which are called by my name” denotes a specific assembly of people, called by God for a specific purpose, and marked for that purpose and marked as belonging to him. Read Ezekiel, chapter 9, and Revelation 9:4

9. H3665 “shall humble themselves” ka^na‛, pronounced kaw-nah' A primitive root; properly to bend the knee; hence to humiliate, vanquish: - bring down (low), into subjection, under, humble (self), subdue. If we, the Church, are called “into subjection” to our God, then we are his “subjects” or “servants.” Typically, as Christians, we do indeed claim that we “serve the LORD.” Do servants ask their master to accomplish a given task? Many Christians consider prayer as the only required action by 2 Chronicles 7:14, with no consideration given to the other 3 required actions. Will God forgive our national sin and heal our land for no other reason than prayer? Tom Sine, of “Sojourners” magazine, had this to say of the silence of the modern church: "I am persuaded that the powers of darkness have pulled off an amazing coup. While the American Church is undoubtedly the wealthiest church ever in education, discretionary time, and money, a major segment of that church has been lured into believing it cannot make a difference for world peace or social justice. Ironically, in this deterministic view of the future, not only can't the church make a difference, neither can God. This eschatology of despair unwittingly seems to lock God outside of history, characterizing God as an important absentee landlord who is unable to effect any real change in the present world. All God gets to do is bring down the final curtain at the end of history."

10. H6419 “and pray” pa^lal, pronounced paw-lal' A primitive root; to judge (officially or mentally); by extension to intercede, pray: - intreat, judge (-ment), (make) pray (-er, -ing), make supplication. How do you pray? Who do you pray for? What do you ask for? Do you pray for our nation? Do you pray for our leaders? Do you pray for President Obama, or Nancy Pelosi, or Harry Reid? When you pray, do you do all of the talking? Do you ever listen for God’s answers, or for his instructions? Do youpray for those people and organizations whose goal is to control the world? What do you pray for them? Do you pray alone? Do you pray with your church? Do you pray for other churches, and other denominations?

11. H1245 “and seek” ba^qash, pronounced baw-kash' A primitive root; to search out (by any method; specifically in worship or prayer); by implication to striveafter: - ask, beg, beseech, desire, enquire, get, make inquisition, procure, (make) request, require, seek (for). H6440“my face” pa^ni^ym, pronounced paw-neem' Plural (but always used as a singular) of an unused noun (פּנה pa^neh, paw-neh'; from 6437); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.): - + accept, a (be-) fore (-time), against, anger, X as (long as), at, + battle, + because (of), + beseech, countenance, edge, + employ, endure, + enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront (-part), form (-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, X him (-self), + honourable, + impudent, + in, it, look [-eth] (-s), X me, + meet, X more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), X on, open, + out of, over against, the partial, person, + please, presence, prospect, was purposed, by reason, of, + regard, right forth, + serve, X shewbread, sight, state, straight, + street, X thee, X them (-selves), through (+ -out), till, time (-s) past, (un-) to (-ward), + upon, upside (+ down), with (-in, + stand), X ye, X you. Suggestion/Example Seeking God’s face is to ask him “What should we, the Church, do in the war against abortion? What should we, the Church, be doing about the oppressive laws which, by all appearances, are designed for the destruction of our country?

12. America’s founders gave us a very important example of seeking God’s face. Shouldn’t we also seek his face for the restoration of our godly heritage? Liberty can be maintained only through God’s wisdom. Last Paragraph of Our Declaration of Independence We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

13. H7725 “and turn” shu^b, pronounced shoob A primitive root; to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat; often adverbially again: - ([break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep]) X again, (cause to) answer (+ again), X in any case (wise), X at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call [to mind], carry again (back), cease, X certainly, come again (back) X consider, + continually, convert, deliver (again), + deny, draw back, fetch home again, X fro, get [oneself] (back) again, X give (again), go again (back, home), [go] out, hinder, let, [see] more, X needs, be past, X pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), X repent, requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, + say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, X surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw. H7451 “from their wicked” ra‛ ra^‛a^h, pronounced rah,raw-aw' From H7489; bad or (as noun) evil (naturally or morally). This includes the second (feminine) form; as adjective or noun: - adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, + displease (-ure), distress, evil ([-favouredness], man, thing), + exceedingly, X great, grief (-vous), harm, heavy, hurt (-ful), ill (favoured), + mark, mischief, (-vous), misery, naught (-ty), noisome, + not please, sad (-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex, wicked (-ly, -ness, one), worse (-st) wretchedness, wrong. [Including feminine ra’ah; as adjective or noun.] H4480 “ways” min minni^y minne^y, pronounced min,min-nee',min-nay' For H4482; properly a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or outof in many senses: - above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason of), from (among), in, X neither, X nor, (out) of, over, since, X then, through, X whether, with. H1870 used in conjunction with H4480, above Derek, pronounced deh'-rek From H1869; a road (as trodden); figuratively a course of life or mode of action, often adverbially: - along, away, because of, + by, conversation, custom, [east-] ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, [high-] [path-] way [-side], whither [-soever].

14. Thinking on the order of corporate bodies of believers, what does it mean to “turn from our wicked ways?” If we say that we are to turn from our idols, what or who are our idols? If we say that we are to turn away from sin, what are our sins? We have been taught that there are sins of “commission”, and sins of “omission”, what good things are we omitting, that we ought to be doing? Would God ever tell us to cross denominational lines to accomplish a specific task, such as overturning Roe v. Wade? Thinking corporately: What if we ask the LORD “What do you want us to do about the current trend toward socialism in America?” – or – “What do you want us to do about the abortion issue in America?” And what if he answers “Stop doing nothing and start doing something!” Turning from our “ wicked ways” is to stop doing nothing, and to start doing something!

15. H589 “then will I” 'ăni^y, pronounced an-ee' Contracted from H595; I: - I, (as for) me, mine, myself, we, X which, X who. H8085 “hear” sha^ma‛, pronounced shaw-mah' A primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively to tell, etc.): - X attentively, call (gather) together, X carefully, X certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, X diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear (-ken, tell), X indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim (-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, X surely, tell, understand, whosoever [heareth], witness. H4480 “from” min minni^y minne^y, pronounced min,min-nee',min-nay' For H4482; properly a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or outof in many senses: - above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason of), from (among), in, X neither, X nor, (out) of, over, since, X then, through, X whether, with. H8064 “heaven” sha^mayim sha^meh, pronounced shaw-mah'-yim,shaw-meh' The second form being dual of an unused singular; from an unused root meaning to belofty; the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies revolve): - air, X astrologer, heaven (-s). In the context of the rest of the text, God’s hearing us is predicated on all 4 of the actions required of us, as we ask for restoration and healing for our country.

16. H5545 “and will forgive” sa^lach, pronounced saw-lakh' A primitive root; to forgive: - forgive, pardon, spare. H2403 “their sin” chaṭṭa^'a^h chaṭṭa^'th, pronounced khat-taw-aw',khat-tawth' From H2398; an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender: - punishment (of sin), purifying (-fication for sin), sin (-ner, offering). What are the sins of the modern and post-modern Church? Is there anything we need to be forgiven for?

17. "I am guilty of cowardly silence at a time when I ought to have spoken. I am guilty of hypocrisy and untruthfulness in the face of force. I have been lacking in compassion and I have denied the poorest of my brethren . . . We, the church, must confess that we have not proclaimed often or clearly enough our message of the one God who has revealed Himself for all times in Jesus Christ and who will tolerate no other gods beside Himself. She must confess her timidity, her evasiveness, her dangerous concessions. She has often been untrue to her office of guardianship and to her office of comfort. She was silent when she should have cried out because the blood of the innocent was crying aloud to heaven. She has failed to speak the right word in the right way at the right time. She has not resisted to the uttermost the apostasy of faith, and she has brought upon herself the guilt of the godlessness of the masses . . . The church must confess that she has witnessed the lawless application of brutal force , the physical and spiritual suffering of countless innocent people, oppression, hatred, and murder, and that she has not raised her voice on behalf of the victims and has not found ways to hasten to their aid. She is guilty of the deaths of the weakest and most defenseless brothers of Jesus Christ . . . The church must confess that she has desired security, peace and quiet, possessions and honor, to which she has no right . . . She has not borne witness to the truth of God . . . By her own silence she has rendered herself guilty because of her unwillingness to suffer for what she knows to be right." (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, "Ethics,"- New York: MacMillan Publishing CO., 1975, p. 112.)

18. The inactive, rudderless Church If the church of Jesus Christ, whose congregations number in the hundreds of millions in America, was doing what she were supposed to be doing ("... created in Christ Jesus to do good works"), a whole host of problems would be taken care of in short order. Indeed, instead of four horsemen of the apocalypse, we may do well to concentrate heaviest on this primary one. An inactive and ineffective church, ignoring the call to be holy, is as bad as a culture can hope for. To have a faith that is comfortable inside the confines of worship but remains unreleased into the world is, really, no faith at all. Dennis Kinlaw recalls one of his tasks as a boy -- gutting a pig and hanging it in the smokehouse for his mother. One day, she asked her son to retrieve that ham, for special company was expected at their dinner table. He dutifully grabbed the meat and took it to his mother, who cut it with a butcher knife. Her mood suddenly soured, as the boy approached to investigate to find out that the meat was now oozing with maggots. She said somewhat forcefully to Kinlaw: "Not enough salt, Dennis, not enough salt."When the church isn't the salt of the earth or the light of the world, disaster awaits. And the coming disaster, caused by Christian fecklessness, is the rise of paganism, cults, and Islam. None of these can compete with a vitalized, loving, compassionate church. Luther had a phrase -- "Cor incurvatus ad se" ... a heart turned in on itself; a basic definition of sin. Ecclesiastically applied, there is nothing worse. The Church was not meant simply for itself; it was made for others. And the world is waiting for us. Matt Friedeman (mfriedeman@wbs.edu) is a professor at Wesley Biblical Seminary.

19. H7495 “and will heal” ra^pha^' ra^pha^h, pronounced raw-faw',raw-faw' A primitive root; properly to mend (by stitching), that is, (figuratively) to cure: - cure, (cause to) heal, physician, repair, X thoroughly, make whole. See H7503. H853 used in conjunction with H495, above 'e^th, pronounced ayth Apparently contracted from H226 in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely): - (As such unrepresented in English.) H776 “their land” 'erets, pronounced eh'-rets From an unused root probably meaning to befirm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land): - X common, country, earth, field, ground, land, X nations, way, + wilderness, world. Isn’t it time for the Church to reclaim America for Christ, the eternal King? If not now, when? If not the Church, who?