It’s amazing how we can read a Bible story yet miss what God may want us to see within the verses. Let’s read through 2 Chronicles 20 which gives an account of what happened to King Jehoshaphat.
2 Chronicles 20: 2 and 3
And some came and declared this to Jehoshaphat, “A large multitude is coming against you from across the Dead Sea from Edom; and observe, they are in Hazezon Tamar” (that is, En Gedi). Then Jehoshaphat was fearful and set himself to seek the Lord, and he called for a fast throughout all Judah.
Jehoshaphat was fearful, understandable considering a large multitude was coming against him. He decided to seek the Lord; and declared a fast in the land. It was vital that he have a successful battle plan, and knew only God could give him one.
2 Chronicles 20: 4-6
And Judah was assembled to seek the Lord; even from all the cities of Judah, they came to obtain aid from the Lord. And Jehoshaphat stood in the midst of the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem in the house of the Lord before the new courtyard, and he said: “O Lord God of our fathers, are You not God in the heavens? And do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations? In Your hand are strength and might, and there is no one who can oppose You.
The people in the land gathered together to seek the Lord too. Seek means to pursue, go after with all your might. Then Jehoshaphat stood up and praised God about His greatness, telling God, no one was mightier than Him. Jehoshaphat focused his attention on God first, not his problem.
2 Chronicles 20: 7-11
Did You not, our God, drive out those who lived in this land before Your people Israel, and You gave it perpetually to the descendants of Abraham, who was in covenant love with You. And they have dwelled in it and have built in it for You a sanctuary for Your name saying, ‘If disaster comes upon us, the sword, or judgment, or pestilence, or famine, then we will stand before this temple and before You because Your name is in this temple. And we will cry out to You in our distress, and You will hear and deliver.’
“Now here are the sons of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom You did not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt, when they turned away from them and did not destroy them. See how they are rewarding us by coming to drive us out of Your possession, which You have given us to inherit.
After praising God, about His greatness, Jehoshaphat related specific mighty acts the Lord had previously performed to save His people. Jehoshaphat points out to God that this army is planning to steal what was inherited to them.
2 Chronicles 20: 12
O our God, will You not render judgment on them? For we have not strength enough to stand before this great army that is coming against us. And we do not know what we should do, but our eyes are on You.”
King Jehoshaphat presents the problem to God. He humbles himself and admits they don’t have the strength to fight and stand before this great army. They don’t know what to do, but would keep their eyes on God.
2 Chronicles 20: 13
Now all of Judah was standing before the Lord, even their infants, wives, and children.
Here’s a powerful verse. The people stood before the Lord. They were willing to take a stand and simply await upon the Lord until the answer came forth. Waiting on the Lord requires patience and we will see how productive it turned out to be.
2 Chronicles 20: 14, 15
And in the midst of the assembly the Spirit of the Lord came on Jahaziel. And he said, “Pay attention all Judah, and those dwelling in Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not fear, nor be dismayed because of this great army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.
Imagine the joy and shouting that came forth upon hearing God’s say through the prophet, “Do not fear, nor be dismayed of this great army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” Hallelujah! This same God will fight our battles too.
Chronicles 20: 16, 17
Tomorrow, go down against them. They will travel up by the Ascent of Ziz. You will find them at the back of the valley, before the Wilderness of Jeruel. It will not be necessary for you to fight in this conflict. Take your positions, stand, and observe the deliverance of the Lord for you, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not fear or be filled with terror. Tomorrow, go out before them, and the Lord will be with you.”
The Lord gave them clear and specific instructions on what to do. And reminds them again, “It will not be necessary for you to fight in this conflict.” And tells them again, “Do not fear or be filed with terror, for the Lord is with you.” God wants to reassure them that He has all in control.
2 Chronicles 20: 18, 19
Then Jehoshaphat bowed his face to the ground, and all Judah and those dwelling in Jerusalem fell before the Lord to worship Him. And the Levites rose up to praise the Lord God of Israel with a very loud voice.
Jehoshaphat humbled himself and bowed his face to the ground; he positioned himself to pray and worship the Lord. Others stood up and shouted their praises to the Lord. They prayed, they worshiped God, soon it would be time face their enemy.
2 Chronicles 20: 20
So they rose up early in the morning and went out to the Wilderness of Tekoa. And when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and those dwelling in Jerusalem. Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be supported. Believe His prophets, and you will succeed.”
Jehoshaphat reminded them to believe in God and they would be supported. To believe the words spoken by the prophet the day earlier, that they would succeed. The battle was not theirs, but God’s. A great reminder for all of us. When God is with us, who can be against us?
2 CHRONICLES 20: 21
And he consulted with the people and then appointed singers for the Lord and those praising Him in holy attire as they went before those equipped for battle saying, “Praise the Lord, for His mercy endures forever.”
Can you imagine going into battle with just your singing voice as a weapon? Let’s read what happened next. God’s ways are higher than ours, and He will use unlikely sources and people to accomplish what He wants done.
2 Chronicles 20: 22,23
When they began singing and praising, the Lord set ambushes against Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; so they were defeated. Then the Ammonites and Moabites stood up against those dwelling from Mount Seir to destroy and finish them. Then when they made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, each man attacked his companion to destroy each other.
I hope you enjoyed reading 2 Chronicles 20: 2-23 through with me. King Jehoshaphat’s story is just one of many in the Bible that we can learn from. I pray you gained knowledge, understanding, and wisdom in knowing that the battles in our lives belong to God, and He will fight them for us. Amen