This verse shows how humility can move God’s hand of judgment to mercy.
“When the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah, saying, ‘They have humbled themselves so I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some measure of deliverance, and My wrath shall not be poured out on Jerusalem by means of Shishak.’” (2 Chronicles 12:7). At this time in history (around 926 BC), King Rehoboam, who ruled Judah from 931-913 BC as the son of Solomon, was threatened by Shishak, the powerful Pharaoh of Egypt (circa 945-924 BC). Jerusalem was the capital city situated in the mountainous region of Judah, and it was the spiritual and political heart of God’s chosen people. Here, the prophet Shemaiah, also noted in related passages for guiding Rehoboam and warning him according to God’s will, delivers the LORD’s word.
In this verse, we see the LORD responding to the humility of Rehoboam and his leaders. The earlier context tells us they had forsaken God, resulting in military threats from Egypt. Once they chose to humble themselves, God declared through Shemaiah that He would spare them total destruction. This act of humility before the LORD shows the biblical principle that when people submit themselves under God’s mighty hand, He responds with mercy rather than judgment (James 4:6). Though consequences still followed, God’s full wrath was withheld, illustrating how humility can alter the course of divine discipline.
God’s willingness to “grant them some measure of deliverance” reveals His desire to restore and protect His people when they acknowledge their wrongdoing and draw near to Him. This foreshadows the New Testament message of grace through Christ, where turning away from pride and humbly appealing to God’s mercy paves the way for spiritual rescue (1 Peter 5:5). The city of Jerusalem, often contrasted with Egypt’s power throughout Scripture, stands firm in this instance only because of the people’s humble change of heart, reflecting God’s faithfulness when His children choose repentance and dependence on Him.
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2 Chronicles 12:7 meaning
“When the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah, saying, ‘They have humbled themselves so I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some measure of deliverance, and My wrath shall not be poured out on Jerusalem by means of Shishak.’” (2 Chronicles 12:7). At this time in history (around 926 BC), King Rehoboam, who ruled Judah from 931-913 BC as the son of Solomon, was threatened by Shishak, the powerful Pharaoh of Egypt (circa 945-924 BC). Jerusalem was the capital city situated in the mountainous region of Judah, and it was the spiritual and political heart of God’s chosen people. Here, the prophet Shemaiah, also noted in related passages for guiding Rehoboam and warning him according to God’s will, delivers the LORD’s word.
In this verse, we see the LORD responding to the humility of Rehoboam and his leaders. The earlier context tells us they had forsaken God, resulting in military threats from Egypt. Once they chose to humble themselves, God declared through Shemaiah that He would spare them total destruction. This act of humility before the LORD shows the biblical principle that when people submit themselves under God’s mighty hand, He responds with mercy rather than judgment (James 4:6). Though consequences still followed, God’s full wrath was withheld, illustrating how humility can alter the course of divine discipline.
God’s willingness to “grant them some measure of deliverance” reveals His desire to restore and protect His people when they acknowledge their wrongdoing and draw near to Him. This foreshadows the New Testament message of grace through Christ, where turning away from pride and humbly appealing to God’s mercy paves the way for spiritual rescue (1 Peter 5:5). The city of Jerusalem, often contrasted with Egypt’s power throughout Scripture, stands firm in this instance only because of the people’s humble change of heart, reflecting God’s faithfulness when His children choose repentance and dependence on Him.