Jehoshaphat Depends on God to Defeat The Enemy
June 22, 2021
Commentary
The Moabites, Ammonites and Meunites launching an attack on Jehoshaphat (vv. 1-2). The Meunites were an Arabian tribe living in Edom, east and south of the Dead Sea. The army mentioned in (v. 2) was from Edom. Jehoshaphat learned that this invading multitude that would soon head for Jerusalem was in Engedi on the east side of the Dead Sea.
Despite his large army Jehoshaphat feared and sought God and called for a National fast. Standing in the courtyard he began praying to God. In this remarkable prayer he appeals to facts of the past of which his praying people can expect to see repeated in their present time of need. This is a crisis prayer by Jehoshaphat. This model prayer shows:
1. Focus on the Lord (v. 3), on himself (v. 3), & on others (v. 4).
2. Faith in who God is (vv. 5-6), in what He has done (vv. 7-8), & in what He will do (vv. 9-13).
3. Freedom from fear & worry (vv. 14-19).
The Spirit of the Lord came on the Levite Jahaziel, after Jehoshaphat’s moving prayer, and he spoke to the congregation (v. 14). He told them twice to not be afraid and that the battle was not their’s but God’s (vv. 15-17). Then Jehoshaphat and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down in worship to the Lord (v. 18). The Levites stood to give loud praise to God (v. 19). The next day they rose early to go to the Desert of Tekoa. In this seemingly impossible situation Jehoshaphat stood and told them to “Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established: believe his prophets so shall ye prosper” (v.20). Then he appointed singers who inspired the people with their words of encouragement to trust the Lord (v. 21). Then, at the time of encounter with the enemy the Lord caused confusion among the enemy troops, so they destroyed each other (vv. 22-23).
Application
All kind of trials may come into my life. There may be innumerable cares like poor health, troubles, dangers etc. that I don’t know how to handle myself, but I can always look to the Lord in prayer. I Peter 5:7 tells me to “Cast all my care upon him: for he cares for me.” Am I carrying burdens today that I should cast upon the Lord and let Him carry for me?
2 Chronicles 20:1– 23 (NET)
1 Later the Moabites and Ammonites, along with some of the Meunites, attacked Jehoshaphat. 2 Messengers arrived and reported to Jehoshaphat, “A huge army is attacking you from the other side of the Dead Sea, from the direction of Edom. Look, they are in Hazazon Tamar (that is, En Gedi).” 3 Jehoshaphat was afraid, so he decided to seek the Lord’s advice. He decreed that all Judah should observe a fast. 4 The people of Judah assembled to ask for the Lord’s help; they came from all the cities of Judah to ask for the Lord’s help.
5 Jehoshaphat stood before the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the Lord’s temple, in front of the new courtyard. 6 He prayed: “O Lord God of our ancestors, you are the God who lives in heaven and rules over all the kingdoms of the nations. You possess strength and power; no one can stand against you. 7 Our God, you drove out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and gave it as a permanent possession to the descendants of your friend Abraham. 8 They settled down in it and built in it a temple to honor you, saying, 9 ‘If disaster comes on us in the form of military attack, judgment, plague, or famine, we will stand in front of this temple before you, for you are present in this temple. We will cry out to you for help in our distress, so that you will hear and deliver us.’ 10 Now the Ammonites, Moabites, and men from Mount Seir are coming! When Israel came from the land of Egypt, you did not allow them to invade these lands. They bypassed them and did not destroy them. 11 Look how they are repaying us! They come to drive us out of our allotted land which you assigned to us! 12 Our God, will you not judge them? For we are powerless against this huge army that attacks us. We don’t know what we should do; we look to you for help.”
13 All the men of Judah were standing before the Lord, along with their infants, wives, and children. 14 Then in the midst of the assembly, the Lord’s Spirit came upon Jachaziel son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite and descendant of Asaph. 15 He said: “Pay attention, all you people of Judah, residents of Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Don’t be afraid and don’t panic because of this huge army! For the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16 Tomorrow march down against them as they come up the Ascent of Ziz. You will find them at the end of the ravine in front of the wilderness of Jeruel. 17 You will not fight in this battle. Take your positions, stand, and watch the Lord deliver you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Don’t be afraid and don’t panic! Tomorrow march out toward them; the Lord is with you!’”
18 Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face toward the ground, and all the people of Judah and the residents of Jerusalem fell down before the Lord and worshiped him. 19 Then some Levites, from the Kohathites and Korahites, got up and loudly praised the Lord God of Israel.
20 Early the next morning they marched out to the wilderness of Tekoa. When they were ready to march, Jehoshaphat stood up and said: “Listen to me, you people of Judah and residents of Jerusalem! Trust in the Lord your God and you will be safe! Trust in the message of his prophets and you will win.” 21 He met with the people and appointed musicians to play before the Lord and praise his majestic splendor. As they marched ahead of the warriors they said: “Give thanks to the Lord, for his loyal love endures.”
22 When they began to shout and praise, the Lord suddenly attacked the Ammonites, Moabites, and men from Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. 23 The Ammonites and Moabites attacked the men from Mount Seir and annihilated them. When they had finished off the men of Seir, they attacked and destroyed one another.