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Charles Spurgeon · Citado em PreceptAustin
2 Crônicas 20
Spurgeon - Perhaps he had never delivered a prophecy before. This is his first sermon; but the Spirit of God was with him, and he could not hold his tongue. 2 Chronicles 20:15 and he said, “Listen, all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: thus says the LORD to you, ‘Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s. Do not fear or be dismayed 2Ch 32:7,8 Ex 14:13,14 De 1:29,30 20:1,4 31:6,8 Jos 11:6 Ne 4:14 Ps 17:1,2 Isa 41:10-16 43:1,2 the battle: 2Ch 32:8 1Sa 17:47 Related Passages: 1 Samuel 17:47+ (DAVID TO GOLIATH) and that all this assembly may know that the LORD does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the LORD’S and He will give you into our hands.” Joshua 1:9+ “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” DO NOT FEAR THE BATTLE IS GOD'S! and he said, “Listen, all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: thus says the LORD to you, ‘Do not fear or be dismayed (chathath - again in 2Ch 20:17) because of (term of explanation) this great multitude, for (what a great term of explanation) the battle is not yours but God’s - The reason not to fear for Jehoshaphat (and us) is that the battle is the Lord's! Does this mean we are simply to "Let go, let God?" No, even in as this story unfolds, Judah played their part by offering praise in light of the fact that the battle was the Lord's (the Levitical singers actually led the army before the battle 2Ch 20:21). I like to say it is not "Let go, let God," (totally unscriptural and inaccurate) but "Let God, let's go!" Judah was to "go down against" the strong enemy (2Ch 20:17), they were to "stand and see the salvation of the LORD," and "when they began singing and praising," (THEIR RESPONSIBILITY), "the LORD set ambushes against" the strong enemy (2Ch 20:22) (GOD'S PART/PROVISION). Of course to carry out their part in the battle, they had to have faith and believe what the prophet had spoken from God was true. God's Word is always the Word of Truth. We can stake our life and our eternity on it! (See Andy Naselli's article on Let Go, Let God.) Do not fear in the Septuagint is a command in the present imperative with a negative calling for them to stop fearing or not to begin to fear. Dismayed (chathath) in the Septuagint is the verb ptoéō which means to be terrified, frightened, startled, alarmed (cf use in Lk 12:4+). 🙏 THOUGHT - This important spiritual principle saturates both the old and new testaments - Let God, let's go! God's sovereignty, provision and power, and our responsibility (faith and obedience = trust and obey). This is the pattern for victory in our warfare over our strong enemies the world, the flesh and the devil. Are you losing the battles dearly beloved? The reason may just be you do not understand this spiritual dynamic, which is the "secret" of victory over our strong foes! See more discussion of "Paradoxical Principle of 100% Dependent and 100% Responsible" (100/100). Bob
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Spurgeon - Oh, how those words must have fallen on the weary ears of those who were in such trouble! And how glad those ears must have been to hear such a message of wondrous mercy, and so near at hand, too! “To morrow.” Imminent danger brings eminent mercy, and when the lion is about to leap upon his prey, then comes the lionslayer and breaks his teeth, and delivers his lamb even from between his jaws. Glory be to God for such promises as he gives to his people in times of trouble, even such promises as he gave here. Dismayed (discouraged)(02865) chathath basically refers to breaking or shattering like a boe (Jer 51:56) or ground cracked by drought (Jer 14:4). This idea of shattering is used figuratively of God shattering nations (Isa 7:8). It can also mean to fright or terrify (Isa 30:31, Job 7:14) Standing in awe of God's Name (Mal 2:5). Summary - to be shattered, be dismayed, be broken, be abolished, be afraid. In Hiphil to cause to be dismayed, to terrify, to shatter. Chathah - 47v - Deut. 1:21; Deut. 31:8; Jos. 1:9; Jos. 8:1; Jos. 10:25; 1 Sam. 2:10; 1 Sam. 17:11; 2 Ki. 19:26; 1 Chr. 22:13; 1 Chr. 28:20; 2 Chr. 20:15; 2 Chr. 20:17; 2 Chr. 32:7; Job 7:14; Job 31:34; Job 32:15; Job 39:22; Isa. 7:8; Isa. 8:9; Isa. 9:4; Isa. 20:5; Isa. 30:31; Isa. 31:4; Isa. 31:9; Isa. 37:27; Isa. 51:6; Isa. 51:7; Jer. 1:17; Jer. 8:9; Jer. 10:2; Jer. 14:4; Jer. 17:18; Jer. 23:4; Jer. 30:10; Jer. 46:27; Jer. 48:1; Jer. 48:20; Jer. 48:39; Jer. 49:37; Jer. 50:2; Jer. 50:36; Jer. 51:56; Ezek. 2:6; Ezek. 3:9; Obad. 1:9; Hab. 2:17; Mal. 2:5 Salvation (help, deliverance) (03444)(yeshua) is from a root in Arabic = "make wide" or "make sufficient' sarar = "narrow," = "be restricted" or "cause distress." The idea of wide connotes freedom from distress and ability to pursue one's objectives. It means to move from distress (enemies, natural catastrophies, plague or famine, sickness) to safety which requires deliverance. Generally deliverance comes from some an outside source. The one who brings deliverance is known as the "savior." Yeshua may be used in everyday life free of theological overtones at a well Moses saved daughters of Reuel (Ex 2:17) but generally has strong religious meaning. And so we read Yahweh wrought deliverance - God of our salvation Ps 68:19-20. Yeshua can also describe salvation through human agents empowered by God. While the NT idea of salvation is primarily forgiveness of sin, deliverance from sin's power and defeat of Satan, the OT only begins to point in this direction. And so in the OT the majority of references to salvation speak of Yahweh granting deliverance from real enemies and out of real catastrophies. It is surprising that there is only one other use of yeshua in Kings and Chronicles - 1 Chronicles 16:23 "Sing to the LORD, all the earth; Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day." Yeshua - 77v - Ge 49:18; Ex 14:13; Ex 15:2; Dt 32:15; 1Sa 2:1; 1Sa 14:45; 2Sa 10:11; 2Sa 22:51; 1Ch 16:23; 2Ch 20:17; Job 13:16; Job 30:15; Ps. 3:2; Ps. 3:8; Ps. 9:14; Ps. 13:5; Ps. 14:7; Ps. 18:50; Ps. 20:5; Ps. 21:1; Ps. 21:5; Ps. 22:1; Ps. 28:8; Ps. 35:3; Ps. 35:9; Ps. 42:5; Ps. 42:11; Ps. 43:5; Ps. 44:4; Ps. 53:6; Ps. 62:1; Ps. 62:2; Ps. 62:6; Ps. 67:2; Ps. 68:19; Ps. 69:29; Ps. 70:4; Ps. 74:12; Ps. 78:22; Ps. 80:2; Ps. 88:1; Ps. 89:26; Ps. 91:16; Ps. 96:2; Ps. 98:2; Ps. 98:3; Ps. 106:4; Ps. 116:13; Ps. 118:14; Ps. 118:15; Ps. 118:21; Ps. 119:123; Ps. 119:155; Ps. 119:166; Ps. 119:174; Ps. 140:7; Ps. 149:4; Isa. 12:2; Isa. 12:3; Isa. 25:9; Isa. 26:1; Isa. 26:18; Isa. 33:2; Isa. 33:6; Isa. 49:6; Isa. 49:8; Isa. 51:6; Isa. 51:8; Isa. 52:7; Isa. 52:10; Isa. 56:1; Isa. 59:11; Isa. 59:17; Isa. 60:18; Isa. 62:1; Jon. 2:9; Hab. 3:8 Rob
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Spurgeon - Faith's Checkbook - 2Ch 20:17. THIS was a great mercy for Jehoshaphat, for a great multitude had come out against him; and it will be a great mercy for me, for I have great need, and I have no might or wisdom. If the Lord be with me, it matters little who may desert me. If the Lord be with me, I shall conquer in the battle of life, and the greater my trials the more glorious will be my victory. How can I be sure that the Lord is with me? For certain he is with me if I am with him. If I trust in his faithfulness, believe his words, and obey his commands, he is assuredly with me. If I am on Satan’s side God is against me, and cannot be otherwise; but if I live to honour God I may be sure that he will honour me. I am quite sure that God is with me if Jesus is my sole and only Saviour. If I have placed my soul in the hands of God’s Only-begotten Son, then I may be sure that the Father will put forth all his power to preserve me, that his Son may not be dishonoured. Oh for faith to take hold upon the short but sweet text for to-day! O Lord, fulfil this word to thy servant! Be with me in the house, in the street, in the field, in the shop, in company, and alone. Be thou also with all thy people. Ken Hemphill - BUT GOD... Will Do Your Fighting (BORROW But God : devotions empowered by biblical statements of faith) 2 Chronicles 20:15 Do not be afraid or discouraged … for the battle is not yours, but God's. Have you ever looked at your circumstances and sighed, “If the Lord doesn't provide a miracle, I'm sunk”? Guess what, you have something in common with an ancient king named Jehoshaphat. This chapter opens with a somber warning—that a vast multitude of armies, consisting of some of the day's most threatening and deadly nations, had marshaled their armies against Israel. Jehoshaphat's first reaction was fear, an altogether reasonable response given the circumstances. It is not wrong to be afraid. The question is how we respond to our fear. Notice, then, the second response of Jehoshaphat: he resolved to seek the Lord. This mighty king called the people to pray and also led them in prayer. Jehoshaphat knew how to deal with his fear. His prayer is worthy of our attention. “Lord God of our ancestors, are You not the God who is in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand, and no one can stand against You” (20:6). Notice that Jehoshaphat didn't focus on his dire circumstances but on the power and majesty of God. Listen to his confidence: “We will cry out to You because of our distress, and You will hear and deliver” (v. 9). I love both his honesty and his tenacity: “We do not know what to do, but we look to You” (v. 12). Once the king and the people had brought their petition before the Lord, they stood patiently before him. Jahaziel, a Levite who could trace his lineage back to the psalmist Asaph, was inspired to give God's divine response. He began and ended with the same emphasis — “Do not be afraid or discouraged.” The counsel “do not fear” occurs 365 times in the Bible, as one commentator reports, giving us one for every day of the year. This is a convincing number of times to remind us why we can take courage. We do not face our enemies alone. The battle is not ours but God's. Henry Blackaby - Praise before Victory (BORROW Experiencing God Day-By-Day) And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Mark 14:26 Praise is greatly honoring to God! In the Old Testament account of King Jehoshaphat, God's people faced a seemingly insurmountable enemy who was determined to destroy them. Yet God assured them that they would “stand still and see the salvation of the Lord” (2 Chron. 20:17). The people of Judah believed God. Their army was led by singers, offering praises to the Lord for their promised victory, and the victory came. When King David led the procession bringing the ark of the covenant into Jerusalem, he praised God with all of his strength (2 Sam. 6:12–23). David's praise was pleasing to God, and God's powerful presence remained in David's kingdom to give him victory against every enemy. Jesus was about to go to Gethsemane and to the cross, where God's greatest victory would be accomplished. He led His disciples to sing a hymn. The disciples were all about to fail Him, and Jesus was about to be cruelly executed, yet Jesus insisted that they praise God. Their praise looked beyond the cross to God's ultimate victory. Praise is rooted not in circumstances of the moment but in the nature and trustworthiness of God. You ought to rejoice when God asks you to proceed in the work of His kingdom because you know the victory is already secured. Don’t focus on the problems and failures of others. Focus on God's assurance of victory. If you have trouble praising God with a song in your heart as you serve Him, it may be that your focus is not on God, but on your circumstances. Anywhere With Jesus Do not fear or be dismayed; . . . for the LORD is with you. —2 Chronicles 20:17 Today's Scripture: Exodus 33:12-17 When our son Brian was small, I took him with me to pick up our babysitter. As I approached the house, I noticed that her dog, usually penned in the backyard, was lying on the front porch. At first glance, the dog looked benign. But to my alarm he sprang to his feet and attacked Brian, who leaped for my leg, shinnied up to my waist, and somehow ended up wrapped around my neck and shoulders. I, on the other hand, was left to fend off the dog. We danced for a while—the dog trying to get in a bite and I a kick—until, to my relief, the owner came around the house and called off the beast. All of us—dog, boy, and I—escaped unscathed. Later, as we were walking to the car, Brian looked up to me and said, “Dad, I’ll go anywhere with you.” His confidence was misplaced; I can fail him. But I often think of his words when I grapple with fear. As Moses faced uncertain circumstances, he implored God, “Show me now Your way, . . . that I may find grace in Your sight” (Ex. 33:13). The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you” (v.14). Anywhere with Jesus I am not alone, Other friends may fail me—He is still my own; Though His hand may lead me over dreary ways, Anywhere with Jesus is a house of praise. —Pounds You need not fear where you’re going when God is going with you. 2 Chronicles 20:18 Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the LORD, worshiping the LORD. bowed his head: 2Ch 7:3 Ge 24:26 Ex 4:31 fell before: Job 1:20 Ps 95:6 WORSHIP IN RESPONSE TO THE SURE WORD OF TRUTH Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the LORD, worshiping the LORD - This is a proper response when we have received a word from the LORD! The prayer meeting was turned into a praise meeting. Notice once again, the people follow their leader (cf Jdg 5:2+) This is an amazing verse for Jehoshaphat accepted by faith what he could not understand (cf Hebrews 11:1, 6+, 2Cor 5:7+). In other words based on God's Word of Promise, Jehoshaphat and all the people regarded the victory as already won! 🙏 THOUGHT - When we begin our morning with a quiet time (not too quiet though), listening to His Spirit in His written Word (our "Jahaziel" today), our proper response during that time should be to bow in our hearts and worship our Creator and Redeemer and Friend. Spurgeon - They worshipped, but why did they do it? They were not delivered. No, but they were sure they were going to be delivered. Their enemies were not dead. No, they were all alive, but they were sure they would be dead, so they had worship, and their devotion rose from trustful and grateful hearts.” Spurgeon - What a sight! That is the kind of ritualism one likes — when the posture is suggested by the feelings — when the man feels that there is nothing else to do but to bow before the Lord. The king could not speak, he was too full of gratitude — too joyous at the thought that God had so appeared for him. And he felt that the only thing he could do was in silence to bow his head, and prostrate himself before God. Have not you sometimes felt so full of gratitude that you could not express yourself? “A sacred silence checks our songs and praise sits silent on our tongues.” Now, while they were worshipping, and just as they had finished that silent adoration, the joy-strains were heard. They had taken breath. Ron Daniel - 20:18-19 Worship Before Warfare. There are a lot of things packed into these verses of which we should take notice: #1) Jehoshaphat bowed first. Parents often wonder why their children don't love the Lord the way we want them to. Why they don't worship with the intensity that we wish they had. Have you considered that they are looking to you for the example? Don't expect your kids to pray more than you do, or to be any more devoted to God than you are. #2) In church today, we call the style of music we play, "Worship." But in fact, "worship" is a verb. And it is important to notice that worship happened (v.18) BEFORE the music started (v.19). They were bowing down, prostrating themselves before God. Saints, worship is much more than singing. Paul the apostle said that our spiritual service of worship is to present our whole selves, our lives and bodies, to Him (Rom. 12:1). #3) Notice who was singing praise: They were Levites, from the Kohathite clan. But more specifically, they were the descendants of Korah. You may recall that Korah was the one who led the rebellion against Moses in the wilderness (Num. 16). He and everyone who stood with him were judged by God. Num. 16:31-33 ...the ground that was under them split open; and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, and their households ... So they and all that belonged to them went down alive to Sheol; and the earth closed over them... The Kohathites could have considered themselves second-rate citizens, not worthy to do any ministry of value. Yes, their kin had formerly been in rebellion, but now they are in fellowship and worship. People often feel that their past hinders their ability to worship God, that discipline from God is a permanent separation from the people of God. Always remember that it was the Kohathites who stood up to praise. 2 Chronicles 20:19 The Levites, from the sons of the Kohathites and of the sons of the Korahites, stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel, with a very loud voice. Levites: 1Ch 15:16-22 16:5,42 23:5 25:1-7 sons of the Korahites: Ps 44:1 49:1 a loud: 2Ch 5:13 Ezra 3:12,13 Ne 12:42,43 Ps 81:1 95:1,2 A PRAISE RESPONSE The Levites, from the sons of the Kohathites and of the sons of the Korahites, stood up to praise (halal) the LORD God of Israel, with a very loud voice - Their praise was loud. Oh, how wonderful to have been there to hear the thundering voices singing praises to the great God. Their praise is their proper response to receipt by faith of the sure word of truth from Jehovah! 🙏 THOUGHT - Do you respond with praise (even a loud voice) when you receive assurance from His Word that the battle is the Lord's and the victory is sure? Spurgeon - Here, again, we seem to be carried by great waves of excitement and devotion. One moment we are sinking down in adoration, now all rising up to listen to the loud voice of God’s priests and Levites. But they have to wait for the morrow. Praise (verb) (01984) (halal, הָלַל) has the root meaning of "giving off of light by celestial bodies." Halal means to shine, to flash, to radiate, have bright or clear light be visible from a source (as in Job 29:3; 31:26; 41:18; Isa 13:10). To praise is the meaning of the intensive form of the halal, which in its simple active form means to boast (Related to God = "My soul shall make its boast in the LORD" Ps 34:2, Boasting related to men = 1Ki 20:11). Halal connotes genuine appreciation for the great actions or the character of its object. Halal is occasionally used to indicate “praise” of people (the king = 2Ch 23:12; Absalom = 2Sa 14:25). More often halal refers to the “praise” of God (first use in this way = 2Sa 22:4). In fact in some texts not only living things are to praise God but all created things, including the sun and moon, are to praise Him (Ps 148:2-5, 13; 150:1). Halal in Kings and Chronicles - 1 Ki. 20:11; 1 Chr. 16:4; 1 Chr. 16:10; 1 Chr. 16:25; 1 Chr. 16:36; 1 Chr. 23:5; 1 Chr. 23:30; 1 Chr. 25:3; 1 Chr. 29:13; 2 Chr. 5:13; 2 Chr. 7:6; 2 Chr. 8:14; 2 Chr. 20:19; 2 Chr. 20:21; 2 Chr. 23:12; 2 Chr. 23:13; 2 Chr. 29:30; 2 Chr. 30:21; 2 Chr. 31:2 2 Chronicles 20:19 Don’t Drown in a Mud Puddle A saintly Christian man who was talking about the spiritual dimension of life said, “If you’re going to drown, don’t do it in a mud puddle.” He simply meant that he could understand why a person would struggle with his faith as a result of going through unusually deep waters of pain or grief. But he considered it utterly absurd that a believer would allow his testimony to be marred and his service rendered useless because of resentment over a small hurt or an ordinary disappointment. In our text for today, King Uzziah let pride and envy cause him to break God’s clearly prescribed law regarding worship. He apparently resented the fact that he as king could not perform the task assigned to the high priest. So with presumption he intruded into the sanctuary, and God afflicted him with leprosy. After about 50 years of excellent rule, he had “drowned in a mud puddle.” How tragic! Christians today can fall prey to a similar lack of discernment. A deacon lost the respect of his neighbors because he started a big ruckus with the unsaved man next door over a bush on their lot line. Another man was hurt and left the church in a huff because the class he had been leading for a long time wanted another teacher. Both men allowed little problems to mar their witness. 2 Chronicles 20:20 They rose early in the morning and went out to the wilderness of Tekoa; and when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, O Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, put your trust in the LORD your God and you will be established. Put your trust in His prophets and succeed.” KJV 2 Chronicles 20:20 And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper. BGT 2 Chronicles 20:20 καὶ ὤρθρισαν πρωὶ καὶ ἐξῆλθον εἰς τὴν ἔρημον Θεκωε καὶ ἐν τῷ ἐξελθεῖν ἔστη Ιωσαφατ καὶ ἐβόησεν καὶ εἶπεν ἀκούσατέ μου Ιουδα καὶ οἱ κατοικοῦντες ἐν Ιερουσαλημ ἐμπιστεύσατε ἐν κυρίῳ θεῷ ὑμῶν καὶ ἐμπιστευθήσεσθε ἐμπιστεύσατε ἐν προφήτῃ αὐτοῦ καὶ εὐοδωθήσεσθε LXE 2 Chronicles 20:20 And they rose early in the morning and went out to the wilderness of Thecoe: and as they went out, Josaphat stood and cried, and said, Hear me, Juda, and the dwellers in Jerusalem; put your trust in the Lord God, and your trust shall be honored; trust in his prophet, and ye shall prosper. NET 2 Chronicles 20:20 Early the next morning they marched out to the Desert 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." CSB 2 Chronicles 20:20 In the morning they got up early and went out to the wilderness of Tekoa. As they were about to go out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Hear me, Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem. Believe in Yahweh your God, and you will be established; believe in His prophets, and you will succeed." ESV 2 Chronicles 20:20 And they rose early in the morning and went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. And when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Hear me, Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem! Believe in the LORD your God, and you will be established; believe his prophets, and you will succeed." NIV 2 Chronicles 20:20 Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the LORD your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful." NLT 2 Chronicles 20:20 Early the next morning the army of Judah went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. On the way Jehoshaphat stopped and said, "Listen to me, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Believe in the LORD your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed." Tekoa: 2Ch 11:6 2Sa 14:2 1Ch 4:5 Jer 6:1, Hear ye, 2Ch 20:15 put your trust in the LORD your God: Isa 7:9 26:3 Joh 11:40 14:1 Ro 8:31 Heb 11:6 Put your trust: Ex 14:31 Lu 16:31 Joh 5:46,47 13:20 Location of Tekoa JEHOSHAPHAT'S "SHEMA" HEAR O JUDAH They rose early in the morning and went out to the wilderness of Tekoa (S of Bethlehem - map above or more detailed map); and when they went out - First, note they were able to sleep with an overwhelming enemy at their door! That's evidence that they believed the prophet's promises. Jehoshaphat had come from fear in 2Ch 20:3 to confidence in God's word of victory. Second, they went out to the wilderness of Tekoa which is south of Jerusalem, again the fact that they were willing to go out to meet the enemy is further evidence that they believed God's Word. This act also demonstrates that they were not passive in this battle. One other point is that the wilderness of Tekoa is about 10-12 miles south of Jerusalem (see map) which if accurate indicates the eastern enemy coalition is now very close to Jerusalem compared to when they were first identified at Engedi. Edersheim - “Early the next morning they prepared to obey the Divine direction (v. 20). It was to be a battle such as had never been witnessed since Jericho had fallen at the blast of the trumpet of the Lord when His ark compassed its walls. And they prepared for it in such manner as host going to battle had never done … If never before an army had so marched to battle, never, even in the marvelous history of Israel, had such results been experienced” Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen (shama) to me, O Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, put your trust (aman) in the LORD your God and you will be established. Put your trust (aman; Lxx - empisteuo from pisteuo - aorist imperative = Just Do It!) in His prophets and succeed (NET = "you will win.").” - ESV = "Believe in the LORD your God." A leader who believes God is a powerful instrument in the hands of the LORD and a blessing to his subjects! This was Jehoshaphat's "Shema" to his people - "Hear O Judah!" The king says believe God and His prophets (plural). Believe His word! That's a timeless prescription for God's people of all ages! The king's command is to trust the Word of the Lord. While one cannot force one to believe, one can certain issue the charge to believe. The people had already followed the lead of their king and as noted above had expressed belief, so they would surely follow these commands. ESV Study Bible (page 768 - borrow) - Believe here means the active and obedient trust that God rewards (see Heb. 11:6+), acting on the revealed word of his prophets, including Gustafson - “The thought may be paraphrased. Trust in the Lord your God and you will find Him trustworthy. There is in the exhortation a call to commitment. The trustworthiness of the Lord cannot be known until one begins to make decisions on the basis of His promises, staking wealth and welfare on the outcome” (McConville). The Hebrew wordplay could also be rendered, “Have firm faith and you will stand firm”. (Digital - What the Bible Teaches: 1 and 2 Chronicles or book - WTBT 1 and 2 Chronicles ) Bob
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Spurgeon - So you can see them marching out of the city gate with the king at their head, and, as they go out, the army is marching with banners and with songs and hosannas. This is their style of going out to meet the foe. Ron Daniel - 20:21 Singers Before The Army This was an odd troop configuration: lining up the singers before the soldiers? What was the king thinking? This must have given his military strategists a reason to wonder! Warren
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Spurgeon - An angry God is to be sought (ED: CLEARLY SPURGEON FAVORS THE ENEMY INCURSION AS YAHWEH'S DISCIPLINE OF THE KING). Even though he smite us, we must turn to him. It is from the hand that wields the rod that we are to expect deliverance, if it ever come at all. King Jehoshaphat had laid a strong foundation of preparation... he'd sent the priests throughout Judah to teach the Word of God to the people Ron Daniel - Upon hearing this news, King Jehoshaphat was terrified. When I put myself in his place, I have to realize that it is times like that when I am most liable to make wrong decisions. To act impulsively in the flesh. And it is because of that very thing that we need to have prepared ourselves. To lay a strong foundation of preparation. - The musician must practice his piece until he can be petrified with stage fright and yet still perform. - The soldier must work with his weapon until his accuracy is not affected by adrenaline. - The Christian must practice righteousness until his very senses are trained to discern good and evil (Heb. 5:14), so that he doesn't respond to surprise attacks in the wrong way. King Jehoshaphat had laid a strong foundation of preparation. Remember that we saw in our last study that he'd sent the priests throughout Judah to teach the Word of God to the people. It is no wonder then, that not only the king, but all of Judah, gathered together to seek help from the Lord. Bob
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Spurgeon - It must have been a wonderful eight — the vast crowd — the pleading king — his voice heard afar, and the men and the women; but, to my mind, the most touching thing of all is the little children standing there, making their silent appeal to God that he would not let the babes be destroyed — that he would not suffer the young children to be slain by the cruel hosts that now threatened the land. Young children’s prayers are powerful. Little ones, may God teach you how to pray. Having laid their concerns before the Lord, the people waited humbly on Him J.A. Thompson: Having laid their concerns before the Lord, the people waited humbly on Him. The expression to “stand before the Lord” is found frequently in Scripture (cf. Gen 19:27; Lev 9:5; Deut 4:10; 2Chr 18:20). The divine response to Jehoshaphat’s prayer came by way of Jahaziel, a Levite with an unusually long genealogy reaching back to Asaph in the days of David. He addressed King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah and Jerusalem with an oracle of salvation containing three main components: (1) the addressees, (2) a “fear not” element at the beginning and again at the end (cf. v. 3), and (3) the substantiation (“the battle is not yours, but God’s”; cf. 1 Sam 17:47; 1 Chr 5:22) Here was the perspective of the “holy war” and the speech of the priest before battle (Deut 20:2-4). The literary forms of the salvation oracle and the holy war are woven together in one speech. Even if there was a disparity in the forces, with the Lord fighting for Israel they were assured of success. The substance of the oracle is restated in v. 17 with a quotation from Exod 14:13. The God who had parted the Red Sea had not changed in hundreds of years, and he is still the same today (cf. Isa 52:10; Zech 9:9). The assurance of God’s presence was more than a theological statement; it was to be a source of strength. (SEE 1, 2 Chronicles: An Exegetical and Theological Exposition) Ron Daniel - 2Ch 20:13-17 The Battle Is Not Yours But God's. Yakh-az-ee-ALE was a Levite, of the sons of Asaph. Remember that the sons of Asaph were the ones whom David had put in charge of the worship music and singing (1Chr. 25). The Spirit of the Lord came upon Yakh-az-ee-ALE and he began to prophesy. The Lord was telling the people of Judah that He was going to fight for them. The following day, they would find and face the enemy, but would not fight them. G Campbell
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Spurgeon - The host of enemies were so enormous that they threatened to eat up all the land. The men of Judah could not keep them out. They would soak and storm and burn and destroy right and left. You see the great peril. What a heavy chastisement it must have been to the king to see his land thus in danger of being destroyed. But they had begun to pray. Seek (search) (01245) baqas expresses a person's earnest seeking of something or someone which exists or is thought to exist with the intention that it will be found or acquired. It pictures one searching earnestly until the object of the search is located. The Septuagint (Lxx) translates baqas with the verb zeteo which implies giving attention and priority to and deliberately pursuing after. Webster says that to seek means to go in search or quest of, to look for, to try to discover, to search for by going from place to place. Zeteo in classical Greek is often used as a technical term for philosophical investigation, something “examined, considered” or “deliberated.” For example, baqas describes seeking for Moses' life (Ex 4:19 Lxx = zeteo), Absalom seeking to kill David (2Sa 16:11), those seeking to kill Pharaoh and Zedekiah (Jer 44:30) Baqas describes an earnest search until the object of the search is located. Thus peace is to be searched for earnestly (Ps 34:14+). The Lord’s face (His presence) must especially be sought (Ps 27:4, 8+) On the other hand, we are not to seek the occult (Lev 19:31). Naomi sought for security for her daughter-in-law Ruth (Ru 3:1+). Jehovah "sought out for Himself a man after His own heart." (1Sa 13:14 ) C H Spurgeon - Sermon Notes - 2Ch 20:4—“And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the Lord: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.” The sudden news of a great invasion came to Jehoshaphat, and, like a true man of God, he set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast. The people came together with all speed, and the whole nation earnestly cried to the Lord for his aid. Let us notice carefully— I. HOW THEY ASKED HELP. They expressed their confidence; Jehoshaphat cried, “Art not thou God in heaven? In thine hand is there not power and might?” (Verse 6.) They pleaded his past acts. “Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land?” (Verse 7.) They urged the promise given at the dedication of the temple. Read verse 9. “Thou wilt hear and help.” They confessed their condition: humbly did they acknowledge their danger and their impotence. They had— No power. “We have no might against this great company.” No plan. “Neither know we what to do.” (Verse 12.) No allies. Their wives and their little ones only increased their care. (Verse 13.) They then lifted their souls to God. “Our eyes are upon thee.” Where could they look with more certainty? II. HOW THEY RECEIVED IT. By renewed assurance. “The Lord will be with you.” (Verse 17.) By the calming of their fears. “Be not afraid.” “Fear not, nor be dismayed.” Courage keeps the field, but fear flies. By urging them to greater faith. “Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established.” (Verse 20.) By distinct direction. “To-morrow go ye down against them; ye shall find them at the end of the brook.” (Verse 16.) By actual deliverance. The Moabites and Ammonites slew the Edomites, and Israel triumphed without striking a blow. It shall be greatly to our joy to see the right hand of the Lord getting us the victory. III. HOW THEY ACTED BY THIS HELP They worshipped. With every sign of reverence, the king and his people bowed before Jehovah (verse 18). Worship girds us for warfare. They praised. Before they received the mercy, “He appointed singers unto the Lord.” Read verse 21. They went forth, preceded by the singers, till they reached “the watch-tower in the wilderness.” (Verse 24). They saw the promise fulfilled. “They looked unto the multitude, and, behold, they were dead bodies.” (Verse 24.) They gathered the spoil. “They were three days in gathering, of the spoil, it was so much.” (Verse 25.) They blessed the Lord. (Verse 26.) The valley of Berachah heard their joyful notes, and then they returned to the house of the Lord with harps and psalteries and trumpets. They had rest. “So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet: for his God gave him rest round about” (Verse 30.) God’s victories end the war. The fear of God fell on all the kingdoms, and they dared not invade Judah. Let us when in difficulties have immediate resort to the Lord. Let us do this in the spirit of confidence and praise. Is there not a cause for our assembling even now to plead against the Moabites, Ammonites, and Edomites of superstition, worldliness, and infidelity? OBSERVATIONS This chapter, which begins with danger, fear, and trouble all round, ends with joy, peace, quiet, and rest. Two words seem to stand out in this chapter—PRAISE and PRAYER—twin sisters which should always go together. One word links them here—FAITH. “Jehoshaphat set himself to seek the Lord.” His good example was soon followed. “Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the Lord: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.” What a prayer-meeting—a real one, a united one, with a definite object, and the king presiding! Notice the prayer (verse 5). It is a pattern one. Jehoshaphat felt his weakness and need; but he recognized that God is all, and over all, and has all power and might. He brings forward every plea and argument He appeals to God’s power and promises, to his justice and love, and winds up with simple yet prevailing faith in God himself. “We have no might, neither know we what to do; but our eyes are upon thee” (verse 12). Placing all the responsibility on God, and they just looking to him, waiting for him: God answered at once.—Captain Dawson, in “Thoughts in the Valleys.” 2 Chronicles 20:5 Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD before the new court, Jehoshaphat: 2Ch 6:12-13 2Ch 34:31 2Ki 19:15-19 Related Passages: 2 Chronicles 6:12-13+ Then he (SOLOMON) stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands. 13 Now Solomon had made a bronze platform, five cubits long, five cubits wide and three cubits high, and had set it in the midst of the court; and he stood on it, knelt on his knees in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands toward heaven. JEHOSHAPHAT STANDS IN TEMPLE COURT TO PRAY Then - Marks progression in narrative and a very important progression in the present context. Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD (SOLOMON'S TEMPLE) before the new court - Here begins Jehoshaphat's great prayer (2Ch 20:5-13), the third king’s prayer in 2 Chronicles (Solomon = 2Ch 6:14–42; Asa 2Ch 14:11). The new court is probably the "great court" described in 2Ch 4:9+. Recall that in Solomon's prayers he had made allusion to prayer "toward this place" (TEMPLE) (2Ch 6:29+) In 2Ch 7:15+ God promised "Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to the prayer offered in this place (TEMPLE) SEE PHRASE TOWARD THIS HOUSE - 6X/6V - 1 Ki. 8:29; 1 Ki. 8:38; 1 Ki. 8:42; 2 Chr. 6:20; 2 Chr. 6:29; 2 Chr. 6:32 Cyril
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Spurgeon - What a prayer it is! How argumentative! How it pleads his case as an advocate in a court of law, appealing to the mercy of God as logically as if it were to be argued out of the divine heart. Oh, how good it would be if we learnt to pray like this, — in this earnest, importunate fashion! Say the Lord teach us to pray as he taught his disciples! Gustafson - Christians should never be without hope. The saints’ response in the darkest hour should be: “our eyes are upon thee”. Jehoshaphat’s prayer revealed great confidence in God and thankfulness for past deliverances. Philippians 4:6–7 is a precious promise, but it is important that the two words in v. 6 there, “with thanksgiving”, are not forgotten. Thanking God for help in the past helps Christians to enjoy the peace of God in the present. (Digital - What the Bible Teaches: 1 and 2 Chronicles or book - WTBT 1 and 2 Chronicles ) To recognize one’s weakness is a position of much strength Martin Selman - “The final phrase, We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you, is one of the most touching expressions of trust in God to be found anywhere in the Bible. To recognize one’s weakness is a position of much strength (compare John 15:5; 2 Corinthians 12:9)” (BORROW 2 Chronicles : a commentary) Wilcox - “It is at Wits’ End Corner that you meet the miracles, says the Psalmist (Ps 107:27–28)” Faith ends where worry begins, and worry ends where faith begins. Spurgeon - “They said, ‘Our eyes are upon thee.’ What did they mean by that? They meant, ‘Lord, if help does come, it must come from thee. We are looking to thee for it. It cannot come from anywhere else, so we look to thee. But we believe it will come, men will not look for that which they know will not come. We feel sure it will come, but we do not know how, so we are looking; we do not know when, but we are looking. We do not know what thou wouldest have us to do, but as the servant looks to her mistress, so are we looking to thee, Lord. Lord, we are looking.’ The enemy gathers, fierce and near, As we lift our faces, even in fear. So here we wait with hearts bowed low, As faith takes root and questions go. The battle is Yours—our hands are few, But our eyes, our eyes… are set on You. Ron Daniel - 20:12 We Are Powerless. It is important to remember that at this time, Jehoshaphat was great in the eyes of the world (2Chr. 17:12). We read in chapter 17 that he had been able to muster over a million men (2Chr. 17:14-18) in recent years. This could have actually been a big problem. You see, many of the kings fell away from God after building large armies. Remember that... 2Chr. 12:1 When the kingdom of Rehoboam was established and strong, he and all Israel with him forsook the law of the LORD. This happens to believers all the time. When we're poor, we pray. But we get some money and suddenly we're saying, "Who is the Lord?" (Prov. 30:8-9). When business is bad, we're crying out to God for help. But the business gets bigger and more stable, we depend on the client list instead of the Lord. Ministries that start with only pennies and a lot of prayer turn into corporate entities that no longer seek God. In other words, our strength can actually become our biggest weakness. But Jehoshaphat refuses to make that mistake. He will not put his trust in his large militia. Instead he prays, "We are powerless. Our eyes are on You." Alexander
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Spurgeon writes "You could have heard the sound even of the wind among the trees at the time, for they were as hushed and as quiet as you were just now. Oh, when you know the Lord means to deliver you, bow your head and just give him the quiet, deep, solemn worship of your spirit.” (ED: AND INDEED THE "WIND" DID COME, THE SPIRIT OF GOD, WHO JESUS SAYS MOVES LIKE THE WIND! Jn 3:8) Bob
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Spurgeon - There were three or four nations, and some jealousy or mistrust must have manifested itself, or some mistake had been made, and the motley host divided itself into self-destroying bands. The Israelites had nothing to do but to sing. Perhaps their very singing was the cause of that disruption among the bands. They could not make it out. They had seen the people rush to battle with discordant cries; but these were marching along as if they were coming to a wedding-feast, singing hymns and chants. That was a new style of fighting. So the Moabites and the Ammonites thought that there must be something wrong. “Surely there must be some confederates in the camp,” they would say. They suspected each other, as bad men very soon do, and so they fell foul of one another and spared the Israelites all the trouble of killing them. Bob
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Spurgeon - Another march of hosannas. What a wonderful sight it must have been! We have read of the Battle of the Spurs; but here is the Battle of the Song — the battle of praise. How wondrously it was won! Jehoshaphat is now in the forefront of those who go back singing. He feels he must sing the loudest who has had such signal mercy after his sin. Ron Daniel - 20:27-30 Returning With Joy And Harps. As the people of Judah returned to Jerusalem, they once again sang praises. Notice this: they had worshiped before, during, and after the war. They believed the promises of God, and so they worshiped. They moved out with faith in God, and so they worshiped. They experienced the miraculous deliverance and blessing of God, and so they worshiped. Tell me, saints. When do you worship? Do you worship when you hear the Word, but then never move out in faith? Do you only worship after God has come through, having already delivered and blessed? May we be a people who are known for the fact that we worship before, during, and after the war. 2 Chronicles 20:28 They came to Jerusalem with harps, lyres and trumpets to the house of the LORD. with psalteries: Instead of celebrating his own heroism or the valour of his troops on this memorable occasion, this excellent prince sung with his whole army the praises of Jehovah, the God of hosts, who disposes of the victory according to his pleasure. This conduct was becoming the descendant and successor of David, the man after God's own heart, and of a religious people, the peculiar inheritance of Jehovah. 2Sa 6:5 1Ch 13:8 23:5 25:6 Ps 47, Ps 57:8 92:3 149:3 150:3-5 Rev 14:2,3 THE SOUND OF VICTORY RETURNING WITH REJOICING They came to Jerusalem with harps, lyres and trumpets to the house of the LORD - The return to the Temple where this scene had begun (2Ch 20:5), for from Him, through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen. (Ro 11:35+) ESV Study Bible (page 768 - borrow) - The return to Jerusalem takes the form of a triumphal procession, which ends appropriately in the temple, where the people had first sought God’s deliverance (2 Chron. 20:5). Spurgeon - Now, it is a long piece we have read, but I think it would not be complete if I did not read you the song which they sang. In all probability it was the 47th Psalm. You can almost hear them singing it as they march back. Psalm 47+ For the choir director. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. O clap your hands, all peoples; Shout to God with the voice of joy. 2 For the LORD Most High is to be feared, A great King over all the earth. 3 He subdues peoples under us And nations under our feet. 4 He chooses our inheritance for us, The glory of Jacob whom He loves. Selah. 5 God has ascended with a shout, The LORD, with the sound of a trumpet. 6 Sing praises to God, sing praises; Sing praises to our King, sing praises. 7 For God is the King of all the earth; Sing praises with a skillful psalm. 8 God reigns over the nations, God sits on His holy throne. 9 The princes of the people have assembled themselves as the people of the God of Abraham, For the shields of the earth belong to God; He is highly exalted. 2 Chronicles 20:29 And the dread of God was on all the kingdoms of the lands when they heard that the LORD had fought against the enemies of Israel. the dread of God 2Ch 17:10 Ge 35:5 Ex 23:27 Jos 5:1 2Ki 7:6 they heard: Ex 15:14-16 Jos 2:9-11 9:9-11 Related Passages: 1 Chronicles 14:17 Then the fame of David went out into all the lands; and the LORD brought the fear of him on all the nations. 2 Chronicles 14:14 They destroyed all the cities around Gerar, for the dread of the LORD had fallen on them; and they despoiled all the cities, for there was much plunder in them. 2 Chronicles 17:10+ (AS A RESULT OF SEEKING THE LORD AND TEACHING HIS WORD IN JUDAH) Now the dread of the LORD was on all the kingdoms of the lands which were around Judah, so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat. DREAD OF GOD ON NATIONS And the dread of God was on all the kingdoms of the lands when they heard that the LORD had fought against the enemies of Israel - Once again dread was on the nations as it had been in 2Ch 17:10+ (See also Ex 23:27; Nu 22:3; Jos 2:9-11; 9:9, 10). Note the dread was specifically on the God of Judah, not on the nation per se. And the explanation is that the kingdoms somehow had heard that the battle was the LORD's and He had fought for Israel (~Judah in this context). What is fascinating is that there were no survivors of the battle, and yet somehow the word circulated that this was a supernaturally charged defeat of the eastern coalition. In short, Yahweh was glorified among the nations as the result of this battle. One always has to wonder if some of the pagans in those kingdoms came to their senses and saw that Yahweh was the One to be worshiped? We will have to wait to heaven to see if any of them did as the Thessalonian pagans who, upon hearing the Gospel, "turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God." (1Th 1:9+)
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Spurgeon - Morning and Evening - Solomon’s ships had returned in safety, but Jehoshaphat’s vessels never reached the land of gold. Providence prospers one, and frustrates the desires of another, in the same business and at the same spot, yet the Great Ruler is as good and wise at one time as another. May we have grace to-day, in the remembrance of this text, to bless the Lord for ships broken at Ezion-geber, as well as for vessels freighted with temporal blessings; let us not envy the more successful, nor murmur at our losses as though we were singularly and specially tried. Like Jehoshaphat, we may be precious in the Lord’s sight, although our schemes end in disappointment. The secret cause of Jehoshaphat’s loss is well worthy of notice, for it is the root of very much of the suffering of the Lord’s people; it was his alliance with a sinful family, his fellowship with sinners. In 2 Ch. 20:37, we are told that the Lord sent a prophet to declare, “Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, the Lord hath broken thy works.” This was a fatherly chastisement, which appears to have been blest to him; for in the verse which succeeds our morning’s text (1 Kings 22:49) we find him refusing to allow his servants to sail in the same vessels with those of the wicked king. Would to God that Jehoshaphat’s experience might be a warning to the rest of the Lord’s people, to avoid being unequally yoked together with unbelievers! A life of misery is usually the lot of those who are united in marriage, or in any other way of their own choosing, with the men of the world. O for such love to Jesus that, like him, we may be holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners; for if it be not so with us, we may expect to hear it often said, “The Lord hath broken thy works.” Paul Apple - DEVOTIONAL QUESTIONS: (page 502) Why are we so easily tempted to align ourselves in unholy alliances? Why would Jehoshaphat have agreed to go into battle wearing his royal robes and thus making him a target while Ahab disguised himself? What distinctions do you see in this text between true and false prophets? What improbably victories or deliverances has the Lord accomplished for you? QUOTES FOR REFLECTION: Raymond Dillard: (BORROW 2 Chronicles) The OT appeals to a variety of criteria for distinguishing true from false prophecy. These criteria can be gathered under three heads as criteria focusing - (1) on the revelatory means, - (2) on the message, and - (3) on the man himself. All three come into play to a greater or lesser extent in the Micaiah narrative. (1) A variety of revelatory means are sanctioned or forbidden in the OT (e.g., Num 12:6; Deut 13:1; 18:9–13). Preeminently the prophet was to be a man possessed by the spirit (Num 11:16–30; 24:2; 1 Sam 10:5–13; 19:17–24; 2 Kgs 2:7–14; Mic 3:8; Zech 7:12; 2 Chr 20:14, et al.); his message derived from his access to the heavenly council to hear the words of God (Num 12:8; Isa 6; Ezek 1–2; Jer 1:4–10; 23:18–22; Zech 3:7). Both the possession of the spirit (18:23–24) and the heavenly council (18:18–21) figure in the debate over true prophecy in the Micaiah narrative. (2) The prophet’s message was not to be in the name of other gods (Deut 13:1–5) or to contradict previous revelation (1 Kgs 13). The true prophet is recognized because his words come to pass (Deut 18:14–22; 2 Chr 18:16, 25–27); he stands against the tide and the vox populi. (3) The canonical prophets appeal also to a moral criterion to invalidate the claims of their opponents to have the true word of God (Jer 14:14; 23:10–14; 29:21–23; Ezek 13:21–22; Mic 2:11; cf. Matt 7:15–20; 2 Tim 3:6). Though there are a number of examples of violence on the part of prophets in the OT, the NT invokes the moral criteria for the man of God (1 Tim 3:1–13; Titus 1:6–9; James 3:13–18) in saying that he is not to be violent, “a striker” (KJV—Titus 1:7; 1 Tim 3:3). His conduct should contrast to that of Zedekiah (18:23). While the passage abounds in criteria distinguishing true from false prophecy, it also enigmatically affirms divine responsibility for false prophecy (Deut 13:3; 2 Chr 18:18–22). The passage speaks eloquently of the sovereignty of God. It was not Ahab who ruled over Israel, seated on his throne surrounded by his flattering prophets, but Yahweh sitting on his throne surrounded by the host of heaven. Steven