Chitando, “If My People...” A Critical Analysis of the Deployment of 2 Chron 7:14 ...Critical Comments on the Deployment of 2 Chronicles 7:14
during the Zimbabwean Crisis
Despite having had some positive dimensions, the deployment of
2 Chron 7:14 during the Zimbabwean crisis had considerable problem-
atic aspects.
First, many readers tended to adopt a spiritual, other-worldly interpreta-
tion of Zimbabwe’s problems. They sought to understand the implosion
of Zimbabwe’s economy in terms of the “principalities and powers” that
seek to control the world. As a result, there was greater investment in the
emergence of “prayer warriors” and intercessors to transform the coun-
try’s fortunes. Especially within the Pentecostal fold, this tended to re-
move Christians from directly participating in political processes.
Second, and deriving immediately from the foregoing, an overly spiritual
interpretation of Zimbabwe’s crisis had the effect of minimising the role
of human beings in both its emergence as well as its resolution. From a
sociological perspective, human beings were behind the catastrophe in
Zimbabwe. Yes, there were seasonal droughts that threatened the coun-
try’s capacity to feed itself. Indeed, human beings from Europe and
North America meddled in Zimbabwe’s internal affairs. That they im-
posed illegal sanctions on the country should not be denied. However, a
combination of factors brought Zimbabwe down to its knees. Military
adventures in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, policy inconsis-
tency, corruption, maladministration, nepotism, and other factors had a
negative effect on Zimbabwe’s economy. The coalescence of a kleptoc-
racy with a gerontocracy yielded a highly intolerant state. While the jam-
banja/ Third Chimurenga/ fast-track land reform programme was an
ethical necessity, it was carried out in a chaotic and inconsistent manner.
Politicians, that is, flesh and blood human beings, were therefore guilty
of leading Zimbabwe down the abyss.
There is no need to look for goblins (zvikwambo) or to ascribe misfor-
tunes to evil spirits when it is clear that the government of the day con-
tinues to run the country into the ground. No spiritual cleansing was
needed when the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe continued to print the
Zimbabwe dollar amidst galloping inflation and incessant devaluation.
No deliverance session was required when state enterprises paid their
executives “the salary of angels” when the same enterprises were mak-
ing mega losses. No “man of God” should have been asked to give a