Like many words in the English language, stretching can be taken many ways. It can be a good thing – stretching before a workout can prevent injury. It can be a bad thing – stretching the truth is synonymous with lying. Sometimes, it can start as a good thing and then go too far – tearing pizza dough or a muscle. When handling Scripture, it’s important to use it properly – “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling [applying] the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15. I find that many Christians (myself included, possibly even in this blog) will take a verse or two and then apply it to a situation incorrectly to make a point or claim a promise that isn’t meant for us. This series is to take a look at more common Scriptures that are taken out of context and/or stretched beyond their intended meaning.

II Chronicles 7:14 – “if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

Nowadays, many kids get an allowance or get paid to do certain chores like mowing the lawn or washing dishes. It wasn’t that way for me growing up, but let’s pretend for a minute. The lawn needs to be mowed and I hear my Dad tell my brother that if he mows the yard, he will get $20. As I would like the money, I decide to go mow the yard instead. I work hard and even do the edging and then go to my Dad and tell him what I’ve done. Rather than give me the money, all I get is a “thank you.” That makes me angry, so I demand an answer to why I didn’t get $20. My Dad looks at me and says, “I appreciate the good things you did, but the $20 was what I promised your brother if he did the work. This promise does not apply to you.”

Similarly, one might hear the verse above and think it’s a promise that America will have revival and become a holy nation if Christians will pray for it. While that’s definitely commendable, and we should definitely pray for our leaders and neighbors to come to faith in Christ, this promise wasn’t given to America, or even Christians in general. This passage is a historical narrative – a documentation of God fulfilling His covenant with the nation of Israel. We must also look at the context – King Solomon has completed the temple, God filled it with His presence, and the people brought sacrifices to dedicate each part of the temple. Then God tells Solomon, ”I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a house of sacrifice” II Chronicles 7:12. He goes on to say that when He starts withholding blessings of rain and sends locust and pestilence, it’s at that time when his people should humble themselves and turn from their wicked ways and He will forgive them and heal the land of Israel (literally, not spiritually).

Throughout the Old Testament we see this pattern of Israel- they would turn from God, He would remind them who’s in charge with physical ramifications, the people would repent, God would bless, the people would forget the blessings and stray again (repeat). Solomon was being reminded of this covenant – pattern of blessing for obedience and curse for disobedience that would continue until the Messiah came and fulfilled the law – Deuteronomy 28. As we are living in a post-Messiah age (commonly referred to as the Age of Grace) and not in Israel, or going through the cycle above, this verse cannot apply to America or Christians.

However, the Bible says, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy‬ ‭3:16-17‬. So, if we cannot claim this promise, what good is this verse? With the helpful context, it can help us understand the nature of God. He is forgiving, He is love, He is faithful, He is holy. No matter how many times Israel turned from Him, He was always there fulfilling His side of the covenant. As Christians, we can know that He will always be faithful to help, redeem and reconcile because He keeps His word (1 John 1:9, 1 Corinthians 1:9, 2 Timothy 2:13). Let us humble ourselves and turn from our wicked ways, not that the land may be healed, but that our nation, and the world, will see our light and praise God and come to a saving faith in Him.