I am glad you brought this up. There are two fundamental truths in that first part-- Scripture most certainly interprets Scripture; and context is definitely important in interpretation. But, unfortunately, the second of those two truths is used to the exclusion of other hermeneutical truths and leads to errors of interpretation, such as the one we see in the reference to 2 Chronicles 7:14.
If context is king, then the bulk of the Old Testament is relegated to history. It becomes no more than simply an account of God's dealings with Israel. But, if that is true, then what do we do with New Testament scriptures such as the following?
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
"For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through endurance (Greek hupomoné) and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." (Romans 15:4).
In the Greek the "all" (πᾶσα) of 2 Timothy 3:16 is extensive and carries the meaning of "every" and "any" in the sense of referring to the whole. And the Greek "whatever" (ὅσα) of Romans 15:4 literally means "whatsoever": in other words, it applies to every thing you find written in the Word of God that existed at that time-- the Old Testament.
The principles of God are revealed in His dealings with Israel, indeed with mankind in general, as recounted in the Old Testament. These principles transcend the events in which they are revealed. By this I mean that when God shows grace instead of judgment, mercy instead of punishment, the necessity of humbleness, the desirability of lawfulness, the blessing of forgiveness, it does not matter under which specific context that occurs: the principle transcends it.
For example: take the principle that God honors true humility with mercy. This is demonstrated multiple times in the history of Israel. But it's also demonstrated with pagan nations. We see judgment on Nineveh replaced by mercy when Nineveh wholeheartedly repented. Jonah knew that would happen ... because he knew God. He understood the principle. The principle was that genuine repentance results in God's mercy, regardless of the circumstance. That's why he did not want to preach to the Ninevites; they were so evil that he did not want them forgiven. Anyway, to summarize-- the principles of God are demonstrated in numerous specific historical contexts, but transcend those contexts. Put plainly: we cannot limit a principle to an event.
All of which leads me to 2 Chronicles 7:14. Yes, the words "if My people who are called by My name will 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" were spoken by the Lord God to Solomon after the dedication of the First Temple. But the principle contained in those words is an expression of a doctrine God had made clear from the beginning of time. Therefore we would be incorrect to limit it to just that point in history.
The New Testament writers often used allusions to specific events in the history of Israel to teach lessons and principles that applied to both Christ and the Church. I can think of Paul's use of portions of the Exodus story to teach the principle that disobedience results in punishment to the church at Corinth (1 Corinthians 10:1-17). There are many other examples.
Yes, we need to be Bereans. After all, the Holy Spirit through Paul refers to them as "more noble than the Thessalonians" because they not only received the gospel with great eagerness but daily examined (Greek anakrino: to search, judge, discern) the Scriptures to see if these teachings were true. (Acts 17:11) But those Scriptures they examined were Old Testament and they clearly did not limit themselves to the context of Old Testament events but to the principles and types that God revealed in them.
Therefore, respectfully, as a Berean I suggest that those who apply 2 Chronicles 7:14 to the church are correct. God will indeed respond to genuine repentance on the part of His people --the Church-- with mercy, grace and restoration.
Or that I would think it did?
Wow! I didn't know that. Thank you for letting me know. In all my years I have never run across that. I'd be willing to suggest that those churches are wrong on a number of other important doctrinal points as well. Such a shame. But all part of the falling away.
