2 Chronicles

2 Chronicles 20:1-12

The Moabites and Ammonites to the east came up against Jehoshaphat and his army. The great multitude is probably from Edom and not Syria (difference in Hebrew of a letter). The kings first response is to be struck with fear. He quickly moved to seeking the Lord; and not just himself but he led the people to seek God by proclaiming a fast. All the nation came together seeking God and asking His help.

By praying, Jehoshaphat acknowledges God's presence; while acknowledging the helplessness and need. In the prayer, he acknowledges God's power and sovereignty. The prayer reflects Solomon's dedication prayer when he said in the face of affliction or attack or anything affecting the nation, they would gather, humble themselves, pray and seek the Lord. God answered this prayer in 2 Chron 7:14. Jehoshaphat is trusting in that promise as all the nation stands with him. This is a great moment in Israel's history.

2 Chronicles 20:13-19

If they were God's people trusting in him, they put their problem where it belonged; in the hands of God. They stood before the Lord, waiting on Him. In essence, this hopeless situation was now God's problem and for God, it was no problem at all. The Spirit came on this son of Asaph and he prophecied.

They were not to be afraid; one resource said that "Do not be afraid" was in the bible 365 times; once for each day of the year. That's good news for us! The people had to go out and face this enemy. Imagine how hard this might be. It was an exercise in belief or God's promise. They wouldn't have to fight. They had to face their fear and watch what God would do.

The people bowed before God and worshiped Him and praise Him. They had church before they went out the next morning.

2 Chronicles 20:20-23

It's much easier to believe while you are worshiping in a place of safety. Trust in much easier in a safe place. Its in these safe places and comfortable days we grow our relathionship so that we can rely on it when the days are dark and threatening. We see the leadership of Jehoshaphat in reminding the people of the promise and believe it.

The people went to the battlefield; not with weapons of war but with the Lord and with worship songs and praise of the beauty of His holiness. The Lord set up ambushes; these enemies began to attack themselves and, in the end, destroyed one another.

2 Chronicles 20:24-30

Imagine that moment when they approached the sight of the great multitude. We can know that fear was trying to sneack back in; and had to be a battle for each person to lean on God's promise and push that fear away. When they looked toward the multitude, all they saw was bodies; none had escaped. This is beyond reason, logic and explanation. No one would have come up with this scenarion as they wondered how God might save them.

Not only did God deliver them, but He blessed them with the spoils of the enemy. We serve a big God who delivers in a big way and blesses in a big way. This day would be talked about in Israel for generations to come. Even more importantly, the enemies of Israel heard of God's had on these people and how He fought their battle. This brought peace to the land. Berachah is 'blessing' and this certainly was a valley of blessing.

2 Chronicles 20:31-34

Jehosahphat reigned as his father doing what was right in the eyes of the Lord. Yet, there was still a problem in the land. The high places remain and the people's hearts were still astray.

Verse 35 begins a strange exclamation point on the life of Jehoshaphat. He allied himself with Ahaziah, the wicked king of Israel, to build a fleet of ships to go to Tarshish. But Jehoshaphat didn't consult God on this. A prophet informed him the ships would be destroyed; and they were subsequently wrecked.

©2017 Doug Ford