2 Chronicles 20
New Century Version
Jehoshaphat Faces War
1 Later the Moabites, Ammonites, and some Meunites came to start a war with Jehoshaphat. 2 Messengers came and told Jehoshaphat, “A large army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Dead Sea. They are already in Hazazon Tamar!” (Hazazon Tamar is also called En Gedi.) 3 Jehoshaphat was afraid, so he decided to ask the Lord what to do. He announced that everyone in Judah should fast during this special time of prayer to God. 4 The people of Judah came together to ask the Lord for help; they came from every town in Judah.
5 The people of Judah and Jerusalem met in front of the new courtyard in the Temple of the Lord. Then Jehoshaphat stood up, 6 and he said, “Lord, God of our ancestors, you are the God in heaven. You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. You have power and strength, so no one can stand against you. 7 Our God, you forced out the people who lived in this land as your people Israel moved in. And you gave this land forever to the descendants of your friend Abraham. 8 They lived in this land and built a Temple for you. They said, 9 ‘If trouble comes upon us, or war, punishment, sickness, or hunger, we will stand before you and before this Temple where you have chosen to be worshiped. We will cry out to you when we are in trouble. Then you will hear and save us.’
10 “But now here are men from Ammon, Moab, and Edom. You wouldn’t let the Israelites enter their lands when the Israelites came from Egypt. So the Israelites turned away and did not destroy them. 11 But see how they repay us for not destroying them! They have come to force us out of your land, which you gave us as our own. 12 Our God, punish those people. We have no power against this large army that is attacking us. We don’t know what to do, so we look to you for help.”
13 All the men of Judah stood before the Lord with their babies, wives, and children. 14 Then the Spirit of the Lord entered Jahaziel. (Jahaziel was Zechariah’s son. Zechariah was Benaiah’s son. Benaiah was Jeiel’s son, and Jeiel was Mattaniah’s son.) Jahaziel, a Levite and a descendant of Asaph, stood up in the meeting. 15 He said, “Listen to me, King Jehoshaphat and all you people living in Judah and Jerusalem. The Lord says this to you: ‘Don’t be afraid or discouraged because of this large army. The battle is not your battle, it is God’s. 16 Tomorrow go down there and fight those people. They will come up through the Pass of Ziz. You will find them at the end of the ravine that leads to the Desert of Jeruel. 17 You won’t need to fight in this battle. Just stand strong in your places, and you will see the Lord save you. Judah and Jerusalem, don’t be afraid or discouraged, because the Lord is with you. So go out against those people tomorrow.’”
18 Jehoshaphat bowed facedown on the ground. All the people of Judah and Jerusalem bowed down before the Lord and worshiped him. 19 Then some Levites from the Kohathite and Korahite people stood up and praised the Lord, the God of Israel, with very loud voices.
20 Jehoshaphat’s army went out into the Desert of Tekoa early in the morning. As they were starting out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, people of Judah and Jerusalem. Have faith in the Lord your God, and you will stand strong. Have faith in his prophets, and you will succeed.” 21 Jehoshaphat listened to the people’s advice. Then he chose men to be singers to the Lord, to praise him because he is holy and wonderful. As they marched in front of the army, they said,
“Thank the Lord,
because his love continues forever.”
22 As they began to sing and praise God, the Lord set ambushes for the people of Ammon, Moab, and Edom who had come to attack Judah. And they were defeated. 23 The Ammonites and Moabites attacked the Edomites, destroying them completely. After they had killed the Edomites, they killed each other.
24 When the men from Judah came to a place where they could see the desert, they looked at the enemy’s large army. But they only saw dead bodies lying on the ground; no one had escaped. 25 When Jehoshaphat and his army came to take their valuables, they found many supplies, much clothing, and other valuable things. There was more than they could carry away; there was so much it took three days to gather it all. 26 On the fourth day Jehoshaphat and his army met in the Valley of Beracah and praised the Lord. That is why that place has been called the Valley of Beracah[a] to this day.
27 Then Jehoshaphat led all the men from Judah and Jerusalem back to Jerusalem. The Lord had made them happy because their enemies were defeated. 28 They entered Jerusalem with harps, lyres, and trumpets and went to the Temple of the Lord.
29 When all the kingdoms of the lands around them heard how the Lord had fought Israel’s enemies, they feared God. 30 So Jehoshaphat’s kingdom was not at war. His God gave him peace from all the countries around him.
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Jehoshaphat, the king of Israel, had finally, unlike his prior choices and experiences, started to do things and make choices the way God wanted him to.
We often find ourselves acting, thinking, responding, and living in new ways. We finally are doing more things in, "the right ways". The ways that God has been trying to teach us to.
We are finally choosing His ways, in how we think, respond, and live. Ways that took us years to finally be able to accept, see, understand and agree with. Ways of love, mercy, forgiveness, etc.
Yet, in finally living in these ways, God's ways, of mercy, peace, love, forgiveness, and truth, we often find ourselves being attacked. It can seem that as we are doing "the right" things, making choices, and standing against old patterns and ways of doing things, that we are suddenly experiencing more turmoil, opposition, and trials than we were before.
Jehoshaphat, who finally was leading Israel in the way God wanted him to, was now being attacked. And not by one, or even two countries. But three countries. A larger army than ever was now coming to destroy Israel. And some of these countries were ones that Israel could have destroyed in previous years.
Had Israel chosen to, or been living and doing things the way they had wanted to in previous years, some of this large army that was attacking them wouldn’t have even been in existence right now.
It can often seem that way. Like, "WTF God? If you had let me do things the way I wanted to, the way I used to, I wouldn't even be in this much trouble right now. But because I was nice, because I listened to you and chose mercy, chose love, and forgiveness, because I chose your way, now here they are, attacking me."
King Jehoshaphat’s choice now, in this fearful, unexpected, and overwhelming scenario, was to go to God. Not attack right away in a fearful response. Not run. He went to God.
Yet, in a way, he still told God, "Hey, God?! I did things your way, remember? And now, look! Now we are being attacked from all sides. By an army that we didn't fight when we could have won. And we didn't fight them and kill them when we could have because you said not to. We chose your way. So, now what do we do?
God's answer is so awesome.
"The Lord says this to you: ‘Don’t be afraid or discouraged because of this large army. The battle is not your battle, it is God’s. 16 Tomorrow go down there and fight those people. They will come up through the Pass of Ziz. You will find them at the end of the ravine that leads to the Desert of Jeruel. 17 You won’t need to fight in this battle. Just stand strong in your places, and you will see the Lord save you. Judah and Jerusalem, don’t be afraid or discouraged, because the Lord is with you. So go out against those people tomorrow.’”
This is where we see the reward, the promise of God's blessing and protection. When we choose to, and keep choosing to, think, respond and act the way God has been teaching us. It is then that he fights for us. And we don't have to do a thing.
God had made promises to a man named Abraham because Abraham simply did what He heard God tell Him. Abraham did things in his life, that seemed odd, unwise, or different from most people. Much like certain ways God may tell us to handle situations. Yet, he did things the way God told him to no matter what. Because of this, Abraham was considered "righteous". God promised, "I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you." God has also promised this, "The Righteous are never forsaken".
If we will think, act, respond, and live, continually, in the way God has been telling us to. In our judgements of people and incidents. In our choice of judgements, words, and responses to others. In forgiving, loving, and showing mercy. "Taking the high road." If we will, like Jesus, and unlike Peter, put down the sword and not try to fight for "our rights", or defend ourselves, but let The sovereign Almighty God defend us. Then we will see God's promises fulfilled.
The enemy may still come. You might still be attacked from all sides. Even the unexpected. Maybe from people you didn't expect to ever attack you. The weapons and plans against you may be formed. But, "no weapon formed against you will prosper". No plans, no gossip, no slander, no evil will win against you.
If you have chosen, and choose again, in the face of large armies, trials, struggles, and fears, to think, act, respond and live in God's way, then here is your answer. This is your promise from God.
"The Lord says this to you: ‘Don’t be afraid or discouraged because of this large army. The battle is not your battle, it is God’s. 16 Tomorrow go down there and fight those people. They will come up through the Pass of Ziz. You will find them at the end of the ravine that leads to the Desert of Jeruel. 17 You won’t need to fight in this battle. Just stand strong in your places, and you will see the Lord save you. Judah and Jerusalem, don’t be afraid or discouraged, because the Lord is with you. So go out against those people tomorrow.’”
Choose to not take back up your sword and fight in your own strength. Don't fight out of your logic, or fear. Even if it looks helpless, detestable, overwhelming, heartbreaking, no matter what, let God defend you.
Remember also that our fight is not against flesh and blood. Our attacks, trials, and struggles, often involve humans. But remember, our fight is not against humans. It is against the unseen forces, dark powers, the lies, fears and strongholds that rule in people’s minds.
As you stand in your situation, waiting to see how God will fight your battle, remember to choose love. Choose forgiveness.
Like Jesus said when being unjustly beaten, "FATHER, FORGIVE THEM! They don't really know what they are doing." He said this because it was the unseen forces of fear, hate, etcetera, that was ruling their minds. He loved the people, even though the dark, evil forces were controlling their behaviors.
Also, Stephen, in the book of acts, while being dragged to the area where they were going to stone him to death, he had a heart of surrender to God.
He chose mercy. He chose to see the ones who were murdering him the way Jesus did. Stephen also said, (paraphrased) Father, although I am being wrongfully accused, attacked and brutally killed with stones, I ask you to forgive these men. They are still your children. Your creation. You love them, even though they are blind to what they are doing and saying. They are blind to who you really are. Yet, you love them. And so, I love them, even now, still. Even though they are killing me. I choose to bless my enemies. To love my enemies. Father, because you love them, I also love them. And I trust you to handle this situation however you see is best. Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.
Keep choosing to think, respond, talk, act and live the way God shows you. No matter what trial, attack, or hardship comes.
Rejoice when you experience all sorts of trials. Because, if it's happening, it may have not been God's doing, but He has allowed it. And if He allowed it, then it's for the best.
It will teach you, strengthen you, help you know Him more. It will increase your patience, perseverance, and your faith.
Choose God's way. No matter what. Watch Him fight for you. Let Him defend you. Always choose mercy, love, and forgiveness.
In doing so, you may just find your trial, your attackers, your opposition have been taken care of. And you didn't need to do a thing, except choose His way and cast all.your cares to Him. Like Jehoshaphat, and Israel, you may walk away from a large battle you didn't even have to fight. Yet you get to walk away with the blessing, and prosperity. You get to have the "spoils of war". All because you chose God's way.
24 When the men from Judah came to a place where they could see the desert, they looked at the enemy’s large army. But they only saw dead bodies lying on the ground; no one had escaped. 25 When Jehoshaphat and his army came to take their valuables, they found many supplies, much clothing, and other valuable things. There was more than they could carry away; there was so much it took three days to gather it all.
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