Cause and Effect

He said to them, “Listen to me, you Levites! Purify yourselves, and purify the Temple of the LORD, the God of your ancestors. Remove all the defiled things from the sanctuary. Our ancestors were unfaithful and did what was evil in the sight of the LORD our God. They abandoned the LORD and his dwelling place; they turned their backs on him. They also shut the doors to the Temple’s entry room, and they snuffed out the lamps. They stopped burning incense and presenting burnt offerings at the sanctuary of the God of Israel. “That is why the LORD’s anger has fallen upon Judah and Jerusalem. He has made them an object of dread, horror, and ridicule, as you can see with your own eyes. Because of this, our fathers have been killed in battle, and our sons and daughters and wives have been captured. [2 Chronicles 29.5-9]

Cause and effect.

Israel suffered because they were unfaithful. Period.

Hezekiah suggested that if they would return to God (purify themselves) He would reverse the suffering they were experiencing.

Judah, and some of Israel complied. Note: not all Israel complied! However, look at the last verse from today's One Year Chronological Bible reading (in the context of Hezekiah's story):

In all that he did in the service of the Temple of God and in his efforts to follow God’s laws and commands, Hezekiah sought his God wholeheartedly. As a result, he was very successful. [2 Chronicles 31.21]

Failure was associated with Godlessness. Success was associated with Godliness. This theme is consistent throughout the Bible. Oh, there are a couple of questionable passages in the Bible that cause raised eyebrows, but the overall, overriding consistent presentation of good and evil is that good results in blessing and evil results in curses. 

We should adjust our thinking and theology accordingly!

Father, help me to remain dedicated to the truth about good and evil - the cause and effect principle behind blessings and curses.