Book of 2 Chronicles - Chapter 12 - Verse 12
Meaning
The verse "And when he humbled himself, the wrath of the Lord turned from him, that he would not destroy him altogether: and also in Judah things went well" emphasizes the importance of humility in the eyes of the Lord. In this context, the verse refers to King Rehoboam of Judah, who showed humility and repentance after facing the consequences of his arrogance and disobedience. By acknowledging his mistakes and humbling himself before God, Rehoboam was able to avert total destruction and experience God's mercy and blessings once again. This verse serves as a reminder that humility is a virtue that God values highly, and that true repentance and a contrite heart can lead to forgiveness and restoration. It also highlights the theme of God's willingness to show mercy and compassion to those who are willing to humble themselves before Him.
Theological Overview
One theological interpretation of this verse can be seen through the understanding of God's response to humility. The verse speaks about how the wrath of the LORD turned away from a person when they humbled themselves. This shows that humility plays a significant role in how God interacts with His people. It highlights the importance of acknowledging one's wrongdoings and seeking forgiveness, as this act of humility can lead to God's mercy and the prevention of destruction. Additionally, the verse mentions that as a result of this humility, things went well in Judah. This can be seen as a demonstration of God's faithfulness to His people when they turn towards Him in humility. It serves as a reminder of the power of repentance and humility in restoring one's relationship with God and experiencing His blessings. Through a word study, we can see that the term "turned from him" signifies a shift in God's disposition, indicating a change from wrath to mercy when humility is shown.