2 Crônicas 17

2 Crônicas 17

Morgan - With the accession of Jehoshaphat to the throne of Judah, a period of very definite reformation commenced within the kingdom. In this chapter we have, first, the account of his own relationship to God, and the resulting blessing that came to him. Then follows this most interesting account of how he made known the law of Jehovah anew throughout the land. The method adopted was what in these modern times we might describe as the holding of Special Missions throughout the cities of Judah, for the specific purpose of proclaiming and interpreting "the book of the law of Jehovah." Those who went forth to this work were priests, Levites, and representatives of the princes. Thus Jehoshaphat put into practice himself and, by these special methods, provoke his people to put into practice, the principle which Azariah had declared to his father. Coincident with this activity within the kingdom, a remarkable fear of Jehovah fell upon their enemies round about, so that they ceased to make war upon Jehoshaphat. Thus God was with the man who was with Him. The result was that there was opportunity for strengthening the kingdom within, by the building of castles and cities, by commerce, and by the carrying out of many works. This story has a present value. No better service can be rendered to the nation than that of proclaiming the Word of Jehovah to the people, in cities, towns, villages, and hamlets. By such proclamation the heart of the people may be turned to Jehovah, and so He be enabled to do for them all that is in His heart. 2 Chronicles 17:10 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. Now the dread of the LORD: 2Ch 14:14 Ge 35:5 Ex 15:14-16 Jos 2:9-11 fell: Heb. was so that: 2Ch 16:9 Ex 34:24 Pr 16:7 Related Passages: Genesis 35:5 As they journeyed, there was a great terror upon the cities which were around them, and they did not pursue the sons of Jacob. Exodus 15:14-16 “The peoples have heard, they tremble; Anguish has gripped the inhabitants of Philistia. 15“Then the chiefs of Edom were dismayed; The leaders of Moab, trembling grips them; All the inhabitants of Canaan have melted away. 16“Terror and dread fall upon them; By the greatness of Your arm they are motionless as stone; Until Your people pass over, O LORD, Until the people pass over whom You have purchased. Joshua 2:9-11 and said to the men, “I know that the LORD has given you the land, and that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before you. 10“For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. 11“When we heard it, our hearts melted and no courage remained in any man any longer because of you; for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. 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. Psalm 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance. Proverbs 14:34 Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people. DREAD OF THE LORD 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 - Note it was not dread of Jehoshaphat but of Jehoshaphat's LORD, which was brought about by the LORD himself (1Ch 14:17+). Jehoshaphat was a righteous and God-fearing king and Yahweh reciprocated (blessed him) by honoring his obedience with protection for the nation. The surrounding nations were spiritually restrained from attacking — not by diplomacy or strength, but by God’s sovereign influence. In short, Jehoshaphat’s faithfulness to the Word and worship of the LORD brought about God’s supernatural protection. When a man’s ways are pleasing to the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. -- Proverbs 16:7 Dread means fear, which can be a good thing when it is reverential. In this context the pagans did not have a reverential fear but a shaking fear of Jehovah. The result was they were afraid to attack Judah. This is a manifestation of the protective hand of Jehovah (see The Hand of the Lord) in response to Jehoshaphat's efforts of spiritual renewal. Remember that Chronicles is a post exilic book, and the nation of Israel at that time was relatively weak and impoverished so this would have been an encouraging verse to the post-exilic community. W Gustafson - Verses 1–9 tell of his concern for the things of God. Now the following verses tell of the resultant blessing. “And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah” (v. 10). They had a healthy respect for Jehoshaphat. We also read of this for David (1 Chr 14:17), Asa (2 Chr 14:14), and again for Jehoshaphat (2Ch 20:29). God promised in Deuteronomy 11:22–25: “For if ye shall diligently keep all these commandments … the Lord your God shall lay the fear of you and the dread of you upon all the land”. Immediately after Jacob commanded his family to put away the strange gods that were among them, we read in Genesis 35:5 that “the terror of God was upon the cities that were round about them, and they did not pursue after the sons of Jacob”. In Joshua’s day God did similarly (Josh 2:9, 11; 5:1). Proverbs 16:7 states, “When a man’s ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him”. In Acts 2 (right after we learn of the believers’ steadfastness) we read in v. 43, “And fear came upon every soul”. After Ananias and Sapphira died in judgment, Acts 5:11 states, “And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things”. Because of the fear in Jehoshaphat’s day, “they made no war against Jehoshaphat”. (Digital - What the Bible Teaches: 1 and 2 Chronicles or book - WTBT 1 and 2 Chronicles ) Raymond Dillard - The Chronicler notes the dread of Yahweh on the part of the nations for both Jehoshaphat (20:29) and Asa (14:14; cf. 1 Chr 14:17), and he makes the point regarding both that they enjoyed periods of peace. Peace is one of the tokens of divine favor in Chronicles (14:1; cf. 1 Chr 22:9) (See 2 Chronicles, Volume 15 - Page 134) Iain Duguid: A sign of blessing is the response of the “kingdoms of the lands that were around” (cf. 1 Chron. 29:30). When others see physical signs that God is with his people, the “fear of the Lord” is often the response. While commonly following military victory (2 Chron. 14:14; 20:29; 1 Chron. 14:17; cf. Josh. 2:8–11), such response may also flow from blessings that accompany walking in God’s commandments (2 Chron. 7:4; cf. Deut. 4:5–8; Matt. 5:16). Here “tribute” is brought that reflects the life of the peoples: “presents and silver” from the coastal Philistines and “rams and goats” from the Arabian herdsmen to the south (cf. 2 Chron. 26:6–8; contrast 21:16–17). Like David (1 Chron. 11:9), Jehoshaphat grows in prominence. Frederick Mabie: The tribute brought from Philistines and Arabs, together with statements of military fortifications, implies that the southern kingdom now has hegemony over the caravan routes across the Arabah and Negev to the Coastal highway. This control provides a lucrative source of tax and tribute income for the southern kingdom during Jehoshaphat’s administration. This economic and political stability in turn allows for further military strengthening, building projects, and governmental expansion (see 17:12-19). The Arabs noted here are likely semi-nomadic tribes in the desert regions to the south of the Judean Negev and portions of the Sinaitic and (perhaps) Arabian Peninsulas. Ron Daniel -10-11 The Nations Fear Judah. In the book of Deuteronomy, God made a promise to the Jews. If they were careful to keep the commandments, loved the Lord, and walked in His ways, then...Deut. 11:25 "No man will be able to stand before you; the LORD your God will lay the dread of you and the fear of you on all the land...God is keeping His word because Judah was keeping the Word. Matthew Henry Notes: 2Ch 17:10-19 We have here a further account of Jehoshaphat's great prosperity and the flourishing state of his kingdom. I. He had good interest in the neighbouring princes and nations. Though he was not perhaps so great a soldier as David (which might have made him their terror), nor so great a scholar as Solomon (which might have made him their oracle), yet the fear of the Lord fell so upon them (that is, God so influenced and governed their spirits) that they had all a reverence for him, 2Ch 17:10. And, 1. None of them made war against him. God's good providence so ordered it that, while the princes and priests were instructing and reforming the country, none of his neighbours gave him any molestations, to take him off from that good work. Thus when Jacob and his sons were going to worship at Bethel the terror of God was upon the neighbouring cities, that they did not pursue after them, Gen. 35:5, and see Ex. 34:24. 2. Many of them brought presents to him (2Ch 17:11), to secure his friendship. Perhaps these were a tribute imposed upon them by Asa, who made himself master of the cities of the Philistines, and the tents of the Arabians, 2Ch 14:14, 15. With the 7700 rams, and the same number of he-goats, which the Arabians brought, there was probably a proportionable number of ewes and lambs, she-goats and kids. II. He had a very considerable stores laid up in the cities of Judah. He pulled down his barns, and built larger (2Ch 17:12), castles and cities of store, for arms and victuals. He was a man of business, and aimed at the public good in all his undertakings, either to preserve the peace or prepare for war. III. He had the militia in good order. It was never in better since David modelled it. Five lord-lieutenants (if I may so call them) are here named, with the numbers of those under their command (the serviceable men, that were fit for war in their respective districts), three in Judah, and two in Benjamin. It is said of one of these great commanders, Amasiah, that he willingly offered himself unto the Lord (2Ch 17:16), not only to the king, to serve him in this post, but to the Lord, to glorify him in it. He was the most eminent among them for religion, he accepted the place, not for the honour, or power, or profit of it, but for conscience' sake towards God, that he might serve his country,. It was usual for great generals then to offer of their spoils to the Lord, 1 Chr. 26:26. But this good man offered himself first to the Lord, and then his dedicated things. The number of the soldiers under these five generals amounts to 1,160,000 men, a vast number for so small a compass of ground as Judah's and Benjamin's lot to furnish out and maintain. Abijah could bring into the field but 400,000 (2Ch 13:3), Asa not 600,000 (2Ch 14:8), yet Jehoshaphat has at command almost 1,200,000. But it must be considered, 1. That God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number. 2. There had now been a long peace. 3. We may suppose that the city of Jerusalem was very much enlarged. 4. Many had come over to them from the kingdom of Israel (2Ch 15:19), which would increase the numbers of the people. 5. Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God, which made his affairs to prosper greatly. The armies, we may suppose, were dispersed all the country over, and each man resided for the most part on his own estate; but they appeared often, to be mustered and trained, and were ready at call whenever there was occasion. The commanders waited on the king (2Ch 17:19) as officers of his court, privy-counsellors, and ministers of state. But, lastly, observe, It was not this formidable army that struck a terror upon the neighbouring nations, that restrained them from attempting any thing against Israel, or obliged them to pay tribute, but the fear of God which fell upon them when Jehoshaphat reformed his country and set up a preaching ministry in it, 2Ch 17:10. The ordinances of God are more the strength and safety of a kingdom than its military force-its men of God more than its men of war. 2 Chronicles 17:11 Some of the Philistines brought gifts and silver as tribute to Jehoshaphat; the Arabians also brought him flocks, 7,700 rams and 7,700 male goats. brought: 2Ch 17:5 9:14 26:8 2Sa 8:2 2Ki 3:4 NATIONS BRING TRIBUTE TO JUDAH Some of the Philistines brought gifts and silver as tribute to Jehoshaphat; the Arabians (note) also brought him flocks, 7,700 rams and 7,700 male goats - This was another evidence of the blessing of Jehovah on Jehoshaphat because of his faithfulness to seek the LORD (He is an OT example of the promise of Jesus in Mt 6:33+!). The Arabians were the peoples who inhabited the fringes of the Syrian desert, extending also into the Negev and the Arabian peninsula. Gustafson sees a NT parallel - The assurance is given in the New Testament to the Corinthians that if they prophesied in an orderly way, unbelievers or unlearned would fall on their faces and acknowledge that God was truly in the midst of the assembly (1 Cor 14:24–25). (Digital - What the Bible Teaches: 1 and 2 Chronicles or book - WTBT 1 and 2 Chronicles ) Walton - Arabs begin to be mentioned in Assyrian royal inscriptions at about this time (for instance, they were one of the allies in the Battle of Qarqar) (IVP Background Commentary - OT - page 438) 2 Chronicles 17:12 So Jehoshaphat grew greater and greater, and he built fortresses and store cities in Judah. NET 2 Chronicles 17:12 Jehoshaphat's power kept increasing. He built fortresses and storage cities throughout Judah. CSB 2 Chronicles 17:12 Jehoshaphat grew stronger and stronger. He built fortresses and storage cities in Judah ESV 2 Chronicles 17:12 And Jehoshaphat grew steadily greater. He built in Judah fortresses and store cities, NIV 2 Chronicles 17:12 Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful; he built forts and store cities in Judah NLT 2 Chronicles 17:12 So Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful and built fortresses and storage cities throughout Judah. NRS 2 Chronicles 17:12 Jehoshaphat grew steadily greater. He built fortresses and storage cities in Judah. NJB 2 Chronicles 17:12 Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful. He built fortresses and storage towns in Judah. waxed great: 2Ch 18:1 1Ch 29:25 in Judah: 2Ch 8:2-6 11:5-12 14:6,7 26:6-9 27:4 32:5,27-29 castles: or, palaces GROWTH OF JEHOSHAPHAT'S POWER AND PRESTIGE So Jehoshaphat grew greater and greater, NET = "Jehoshaphat's power kept increasing." One might ask "Why?" I think Ezra 7:9-10+ gives us the answer... For on the first of the first month he began to go up from Babylon; and on the first of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, because the good hand of his God was upon him. 10 For (STRATEGIC TERM OF EXPLANATION - EXPLAINS WHY GOOD HAND WAS UPON HIM!) Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel. (THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT JEHOSHAPHAT DID! O God, give us a heart of Ezra and Jehoshaphat to study, practice and teach Your Holy Word to all around us, for their good and Your great glory. In the mighty Name of Jesus. Amen. (See The Hand of the Lord) and he built fortresses and store cities in Judah - The building projects bolstered Judah's military prowess and the store cities assured supplies for military and the people, presumably when harvests were less productive. Jehoshaphat was forward thinking in these areas. Yes, Jehoshaphat built, but Yahweh caused the blessing, because "Unless the LORD builds the house (FORTRESSES, STORE CITIES), They labor in vain who build it " (Ps 127:1) (See "Paradoxical Principle of 100% Dependent and 100% Responsible")