If my people...

America's propensity to see
ourselves as God's new chosen nation has often led us to claim scripture
directed at Israel (or Judah) as promises for ourselves. While such
thinking generally makes me squirm, I can re-apply such interpretations
to see how they apply to the modern world. Granted, such direct
application is woefully historically inaccurate and the nationalistic
(and narcissistic) assumption that the good ole US of A has magically
replaced Israel as God's chosen people seemingly ignores the
sacrificial act of Jesus on behalf of all nations – but I can still see
how it works. I trust in the words of the prophets, and can believe
that the principle of their commandments transcends culture even as
they were original situated in particular cultures themselves. So while
I have trouble reading passages that talk about requirements of or
blessings for God-s people as applying to the citizens of the USA, I
have no problem applying such commands to the church as the new
representations of God-s people.

That said, I do find it curious which passages those who see the USA
as God-s new chosen nation see fit to claim as applying directly to us.
For many years the theme verse for the National Day of Prayer was 2
Chronicles 7:14 "If my people who are called by my name humble
themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I
will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."
In context, the passage refers to God helping heal the land from
drought and swarms of locusts, but it more often these days is a
request for God to rid our land of abortion and liberals. But whatever
the context, I find it most intriguing that this verse suggests only
personal piety (prayer and repentance) as the required acts that God
will reward. This promise of "If we pray, God will heal" fits nicely
into the modern Evangelical culture that stresses piety as the
necessary work of the people. Many churches shy away from acts of
charity or justice due to the fear that they might become acts of
"works righteousness" or distract us from personal habits like prayer
and worship (as if such things are an either/or).

Choosing such passages of promise involves direct acts of selection
and interpretation. The Bible is full of other such promises to Israel
– telling them what is required of them in order for God to bless them
– but those aren't often selected. For instance, take Jeremiah 7:3-7 -