2 Crônicas 20
Wayne Barber · Citado em PreceptAustin
2 Crônicas 20
Barber - The news caused Jehoshaphat to summon all Judah to prayer. In this respect his action set a precedent that was followed in World War II. Hitler’s army was only a week or two away from crossing the British Channel and invading England when King George called the nation to prayer. The people were fearful, but had resolved to defend their tiny island to the bitter end. Churches were left open twenty-four hours a day so that people could enter them and pray. Some stayed for a long while whereas others could spend only a few minutes in intercession. God, however, heard their prayers and, using the forces of nature as well as Hitler’s unstable personality, He turned the tide of war and miraculously delivered His people. (This story has finally been told by J. Lukas in Five days in London, May 1940 - BORROW New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1999, 236pp.) Greg Laurie - AGAINST ALL ODDS - BORROW For every season : daily devotions And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. So Judah gathered together to ask help from the Lord; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord. (2 Chronicles 20:3-4) Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, faced a terrifying dilemma. His enemies greatly outnumbered him. To make matters worse, his enemies had joined forces with Judah’s other enemies and were coming to destroy him. One day, someone came to King Jehoshaphat and warned him that a gigantic army was headed his way, bent on his destruction. It was hopeless. There was no way that he could meet this mighty army with what he had. It looked for all the world like doomsday for the little nation of Judah. What did Jehoshaphat do? The Bible says that he “set himself to seek the Lord.” He prayed, “O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You” (2 Chronicles 20:12). The Lord told Jehoshaphat, “Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s…. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you” (2 Chronicles 20:15, 17). Jehoshaphat and his army went out to meet their enemies, but they put the worship team out in front of the soldiers! The Bible says that when they began to sing and praise the Lord, the enemy started fighting among themselves and destroyed each other. Maybe you are facing what seems like an impossible situation right now. You may not be able to see a way out. But God can. Call on Him. Then stand still and see what He will do. Fasting - Dictionary of Biblical Imagery - Page 944 - In modern society fasting is seen primarily as a means of protest or threat of self-destruction to put the pressure on higher authorities in order to attain the benefits or claims of the people involved. In other words, it is political in its character. Mahatma Gandhi of India during his fight against British rule, Young Sam Kim of Korea in his protest against the military dictatorship and the comedian Dick Gregory in his struggle against the violation of the civil rights of Native Americans exemplify this. In the biblical context, however, fasting carries a different meaning. It is not a way of asserting one’s will but a means of opening oneself to the work of God, expressing profound grief over sin and pointing to one’s ultimate dependence on God for all forms of sustenance. Fasting is the act of abstaining from food for spiritual reasons and primarily connotes an openness to divinity and a posture of humility. It involves prayer, grief, penance, seeking guidance and piety. But fasting was widely abused, so it can also carry the imagery of hypocrisy and religious display (Is 58; Mt 6). One of the most familiar examples of fasting in the Bible is Jesus’ fasting for forty days in the wilderness in order to prepare for his ministry (Mt 4:2). This is obviously the antitype of Moses’ fasting for forty days on Mount Sinai in order to receive the law and guidance in the wilderness (Ex 34:28; Deut 9:9). Jehoshaphat proclaims a fast throughout all Judah to seek the Lord when the sons of Moab and Ammon come to make war against him (2 Chron 20:3). While the church of Antioch fasts and prays (Acts 13:3–4), they are commanded by the Holy Spirit to send Paul and Barnabas as missionaries. Fasting and prayer are frequently associated with people seeking and preparing themselves for divine communications. Through fasting, they can devote themselves to communion with God. Fasting bears the imagery of grief. When Saul and Jonathan are killed on the battlefield, the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead bury their bones and fast seven days (1Sa 31:13). David mourns and weeps and fasts when he hears of the deaths of Saul, Jonathan and Abner (2 Sam 1:12; 3:36). Nehemiah fasts at the news of the fall of Jerusalem (Neh 1:4). When Haman issues the edict to kill the people of Mordecai, the Jews fast, weep and wail for their destiny (Esther 4:3). Fasting is associated with sincere grief and mourning, particularly with the death of the beloved, a sudden calamity and threat of death. It is an expression of deep sorrow and anger. Fasting carries the imagery of penitence (see REPENTANCE). For example, Ahab, the king of Israel, fasts at Elijah’s threat to destroy his household for having taken Naboth’s vineyard (1 Kings 21:27). He tears his clothes, puts on sackcloth and goes about despondently. Ahab humbles himself before the Lord and seeks his mercy. The Lord sees this and withdraws the evil he had proclaimed against him (v. 29). Israel as a corporate group fasts on the occasion of repentance. Particularly on the Day of Atonement, the people of Israel are commanded to fast in repentance (Lev 16:29, 31; 23:27, 29, 32). At the time of Nehemiah the people of Israel assemble in sackcloth with dirt on them and fast. They confess their sins and the iniquities of their fathers (Neh 9:1–3; 1 Sam 7:6; 2 Sam 12:16). Fasting is practiced during the course of repentance of sins as a symbol of humility and as a means of seeking the mercy of the Lord. Fasting is used as a means of piety. The psalmist confesses that he humbled his soul with fasting (Ps 35:13) and that when he wept in his soul with fasting, he was publicly insulted (Ps 69:10). In the NT, Anna, a prophetess and a widow to the age of eighty-four, never leaves the temple, serving night and day with fasting and prayer (Lk 2:37). The disciples of John the Baptist and the Pharisees fast regularly. Particularly, the Pharisees are reported to fast twice a week (Lk 18:12; see extrabiblical sources Didache; 8.1; Psalms of Solomon 3:8). Fasting is conducted for the sake of personal piety and spiritual discipline. The imagery of piety goes together with fasting; however, fasting also bears the opposite imagery, that of hypocrisy. Isaiah 58:3–6 shows that the fasting of the Israelites as a religious devotion does not match their behavior toward their neighbors. They do evil in the sight of the Lord even during the period of fasting. They only fast to display their godliness to men and gain their admiration. They do not do it for the glory of God. Therefore the Lord proclaims that he will not accept them (Jer 14:2). The same phenomenon can be observed in the NT. The Pharisees disfigure their faces in order that their fasting may be seen by men and are exposed for their hypocrisy by Jesus, who advises them to anoint their heads and wash their faces so that their piety and devotion might be directed only to God (Mt 6:16–17). Fasting itself is not condemned, but if it is conducted as a means of seeking self-glory, it is an image of hypocrisy. Generally, fasting does not carry positive and bright imagery. The Hebrew expression for fasting, “afflicting the soul,” fits well with the imagery of disfiguring the face, weeping, lying on the ground, putting ashes on the head and putting on sackcloth. See also ASHES; FOOD; GRIEF; MOURNING; PRAYER; WEEPING. BIBLIOGRAPHY. S. Lowy, “The motivation of Fasting in Talmudic Literature” JJS 9 (1958) 19–38; E. Wetermarck, “The Principle of Fasting,” Folklore 18 (1907) 391–422. SPECIAL TOPIC: FASTING Operating with Prayer Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord. 2 Chronicles 20:3 Today's Scripture & Insight: 2 Chronicles 20:1–12 When my son needed orthopedic surgery, I was grateful for the doctor who performed the operation. The doctor, who was nearing retirement, assured us he’d helped thousands of people with the same problem. Even so, before the procedure, he prayed and asked God to provide a good outcome. And I’m so grateful He did. Jehoshaphat, an experienced national leader, prayed too during a crisis. Three nations had united against him, and they were coming to attack his people. Although he had more than two decades of experience, he decided to ask God what to do. He prayed, “[We] will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us” (2 Chronicles 20:9). He also asked for guidance, saying, “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you” (v. 12). How has prayer helped you? What current challenge in your life might benefit from prayer? Dear God, thank You for listening and responding to prayer. I worship You as the all-knowing, all-powerful God. Please help me in each challenge I face today. Learn how to pray effectively. Kay Arthur - Seek the Lord - 2 Chronicles 20:3 - Beloved, when you fear for your welfare…or when you shudder at the thought of what the future may hold…or when you simply hurt because others have come against you, you must do what Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, did when he heard that a great multitude was coming against him. (BORROW Powerful moments with God) P G Matthew (from Daily Delight) - Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. —2 Chronicles 20:3 When we are afraid and troubled, we must pray—earnestly, humbly, and in repentance and faith. Great trouble requires focused, persevering prayer. In 2 Chronicles 20, we read that when trouble came, not only did Jehoshaphat determine to seek the Lord, but the people did also. What a wonderful blessing when the Spirit of the living God unites his people in seeking him! The Spirit of God guided people from throughout Judah to come to the temple to pray and fast. They came by the thousands to stand before the Lord for hours—men, women, children, and infants. They were not like modern Christians who need comfortable pews and entertainment to keep their minds occupied. Out of eagerness to seek help from the covenant Lord, these people stood and prayed. Unlike his father Asa, Jehoshaphat remained loyal to Yahweh and refused to ask for assistance from Syria, Samaria, or Assyria. He resolved to seek help only from the covenant Lord of Israel. He brought together all the people in unity to meet with God and ask him to solve their huge problem. They needed deliverance, and they knew that only the Lord could save them. God guarantees that everyone who calls on his name in this manner will be saved. Additionally, the Israelites showed their earnestness by fasting. It is good to fast, especially when faced with a life crisis. Too often we do not cry out to the Lord because we think, “I can handle this problem myself. Why should I bother God?” But consider the directive of the prophet Joel: “Declare a holy fast; call a sacred assembly. Summon the elders and all who live in the land to the house of the Lord your God, and cry out to the Lord” (Joel 1:14). The prayer of Jehoshaphat was not only earnest and emotional, but it was also intelligent and biblically informed. He based his petition upon God’s previous promise to help his people: “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him” (2 Chron. 16:9). God is always watching those who trust in him, in order to deliver and guide them. When we face problems, before we go to the doctor or lawyer, we should cry out to God. He is our problem solver. Don Fortner - “Jehoshaphat … set himself to seek the LORD” 2 Chronicles 20:3 2 Chronicles 20–22 gives us a brief history of the reigns of Jehoshaphat, Jehoram, and Ahaziah. Jehoshaphat was a great, remarkable, godly king; but his sons Jehoram and Ahaziah were reprobate men who walked in the ways of Ahab. Those wicked kings, Jehoshaphat’s sons, died “without being desired”, but Jehoshaphat “did that which was right in the sight of the Lord”. Thus we are again reminded of the fact that grace is not a family possession. It does not run in bloodlines. Sinners obtain God’s salvation only by God-given personal faith in the Lord Jesus. “As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:12, 13). Desiring to serve God our Saviour in our generation as Jehoshaphat did in his, let us carry the memory of this man and his conduct, as here given by the Spirit of God, through this day. Jehoshaphat’s Prayer All Judah stood before the Lord God with their king and joined him in prayer. Men, women, and children; all the nation was led in prayer by their king, and joined him in praying to the Lord God, seeking his mercy and grace. First, king Jehoshaphat pleaded God’s sovereignty. Then he turned Jehovah’s covenant relationship with Abraham, his friend, and the covenant engagements as Abraham’s God into an argument for present mercies. Next, King Jehoshaphat and Israel together renewed their devotion to God as the objects of his choice, looking to the temple, the mercy-seat, and to Christ represented in those typical things, as Solomon had taught them. They looked to the merits of Christ’s blood and righteousness, to the Lamb as the Substitute God had given them and by which they knew they had claim to God’s favour. After stating these things as the ground of their hope and confidence in God’s protection, Jehoshaphat presented Israel’s need at the time as reason for God’s intervention and their deliverance. Throwing himself and his people upon the sovereign goodness of the Lord God, Jehoshaphat and his nation obtained “mercy and grace to help in time of need”. We will be wise to read this prayer as a word of instruction from God the Holy Spirit for us. Salvation in Christ Jesus is by the sovereign mercy of the Triune Jehovah. In everlasting love and infinite wisdom he predestined the salvation of elect sinners. Calling chosen, redeemed sinners like us to life and faith in Christ, the Triune God puts himself into the closest possible covenant-relationship with us. By the blessing of God upon his Word, by God-given eyes of faith, we behold gospel mercies in the finished redemption of Christ shadowed forth in that ancient time. Thank you, blessed Holy Spirit, for showing us the things of Christ in the Book of God. Jehoshaphat’s Victory King Jehoshaphat’s only weapon by which he engaged the heathen who opposed him was God-given faith. Such is ever the weapon of God’s church against those who oppose God’s cause and God’s worship. He went forth depending upon the Lord his God. Believing God, Jehoshaphat began his preparation for battle with a song of victory. So all the soldiers of Christ should go forth against Satan and all that opposes God and our souls. The victories of God’s church are not won by sword, nor by the ballot box, nor by vain philosophy, but by the Spirit of God. “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6). If it is in his strength that we fight, the outcome is sure. The battle is, in fact, already over. Christ has conquered, and his people overcome by his blood. “The battle is not yours, but God’s”. Judah had no hand in the matter. Applying this piece of history to ourselves, let us rejoice to remember that the gospel of our God declares plainly and forcibly that “salvation is of the Lord”. We have no hand in the matter. Our mighty Saviour’s right arm has gotten himself the victory. “So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.” Our Refuge Where shall souls fly for refuge in time of trouble? To our covenant God in Christ. As the children of Ammon and Moab, and the multitudes of foes beyond the sea arose as one in opposition to Jehoshaphat, the world, the flesh and the devil, all the corruptions of our own nature and all the powers of darkness come against our souls day by day. Our very existence in this world is a relentless warfare; and our greatest foes are those within our own evil hearts! Instead of trying to muster human strength, let us, like Jehoshaphat, take refuge in God our Saviour continually, looking to him alone for righteousness and strength, trusting his grace, looking altogether outside ourselves to him for all our salvation! As God the Holy Ghost gives us grace thus to look to Christ alone for hope, making his blood, his righteousness, his grace our boast, we shall find every place the valley of Berachah, the place of blessing and praise to our God! 2 Chronicles 20:4 So Judah gathered together to seek help from the LORD; they even came from all the cities of Judah to seek the LORD. KJV 2 Chronicles 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. BGT 2 Chronicles 20:4 καὶ συνήχθη Ιουδας ἐκζητῆσαι τὸν κύριον καὶ ἀπὸ πασῶν τῶν πόλεων Ιουδα ἦλθον ζητῆσαι τὸν κύριον LXE 2 Chronicles 20:4 And Juda gathered themselves together to seek after the Lord: even from all the cities of Juda they came to seek the Lord. NET 2 Chronicles 20:4 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. CSB 2 Chronicles 20:4 who gathered to seek the LORD. They even came from all the cities of Judah to seek Him. ESV 2 Chronicles 20:4 And Judah assembled to seek help from the LORD; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD. NIV 2 Chronicles 20:4 The people of Judah came together to seek help from the LORD; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him. NLT 2 Chronicles 20:4 So people from all the towns of Judah came to Jerusalem to seek the LORD's help. help from the LORD: Ps 34:5,6 50:15 60:10-12 the cities: 2Ch 19:5 Ps 69:35 THE NATION GATHERS AT THE CALL OF JEHOSHAPHAT So - Term of conclusion. What led to this conclusion? The leader called the people to seek the LORD. Judah gathered together to seek (baqas; Lxx = ekzeteo intense seeking) help from the LORD; they even came from all the cities of Judah to seek the LORD - The key word in time of sudden attack is "seek" (2Ch 20:3 and twice here). 🙏 THOUGHT - Where do you turn when you encounter sudden, unexpected trouble? Or better yet, who do you seek?
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Barber - Jehoshaphat did not delegate the prayer for the people to the high priest, but led the people in prayer himself; and his prayer incorporated a realization of God’s sovereignty, praise for His gift of the land and the Temple, recognition of His covenant with David, reminder of the history of his people, and an entreaty for Him to show forth His power and deliver them. August Konkel: In this instance, Jehoshaphat followed the petitions of Solomon’s prayer (2 Chron 20:3-13; cf. 2Ch 6:34-35). In time of war, he gathered the people together to seek deliverance from God. The prayer of Jehoshaphat does not appeal to compassion or divine favor; it was a petition that God would keep his promises against the attack of his adversaries. Powerful and treacherous invaders had taken advantage of a powerless and righteous people. The prayer has typical elements of lament; it includes a lengthy invocation, a confession, a statement of assurance, and the petition itself. (Multipart Video Series on 1-2 Chronicles) (See 1 & 2 Chronicles) Ron Daniel - 20:5-9 In The House Of The Lord - The people came to the temple, to the house of the Lord. People who are prepared with the Word of God will go to the House of God in times of crisis. This is one of the reasons for having a place like this. When Solomon dedicated this temple, he prayed, 2Chr. 6:24-25 "If Your people Israel are defeated before an enemy because they have sinned against You, and they return to You and confess Your name, and pray and make supplication before You in this house, then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of Your people Israel, and bring them back to the land which You have given to them and to their fathers. He also prayed, 2Chr. 6:34-35 "When Your people go out to battle against their enemies, by whatever way You shall send them, and they pray to You toward this city which You have chosen and the house which I have built for Your name, then hear from heaven their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause. And so, whether we are attacked or defeated, the house of God is the place to go. Warren Wiersbe (page 244) - Seek the Lord. When you see big problems on the horizon, seek the Lord before you do anything else. What does that mean? It means to do what Jehoshaphat and Judah did. They remembered who God is (v. 6), what He did in the past (v. 7) and what He said He would do in the future (vv. 8–9). It means to trust Him and keep your eyes on Him by faith (v. 12). Hear the Lord. God always has a special word for those who turn to Him for help. When you face a battle, spend much time in His Word and in prayer, for then He will give you that needed word of encouragement. Praise the Lord. The battle was won by the singers, standing in the most dangerous place of all—between two armies. But they sang the Lord’s praises and routed the enemy. The choir praised God after God gave the word (v. 19), before the battle (v. 21), and after the victory (vv. 26–28), a good pattern for us to follow in our praise. In Hebrew, Berachah means “blessing” (v. 26). Even a valley can become a place of blessing if we learn how to praise the Lord. “Prayer changes things” is a familiar saying that is certainly true. But it is also true that “praise changes things.” Why? Because true praise changes people, and God can work in and through people who praise Him. True praise involves faith, hope, and love, the strongest weapons in the Christian armory. 2 Chronicles 20:6 and he said, “O LORD, the God of our fathers, are You not God in the heavens? And are You not ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand so that no one can stand against You. KJV 2 Chronicles 20:6 And said, O LORD God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee? BGT 2 Chronicles 20:6 καὶ εἶπεν κύριε ὁ θεὸς τῶν πατέρων ἡμῶν οὐχὶ σὺ εἶ θεὸς ἐν οὐρανῷ καὶ σὺ κυριεύεις πασῶν τῶν βασιλειῶν τῶν ἐθνῶν καὶ ἐν τῇ χειρί σου ἰσχὺς δυναστείας καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν πρὸς σὲ ἀντιστῆναι LXE 2 Chronicles 20:6 And he said, O Lord God of my fathers, art not thou God in heaven above, and art not thou Lord of all the kingdoms of the nations? and is there not in thy hand the might of dominion, and there is no one who can resist thee? NET 2 Chronicles 20:6 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. CSB 2 Chronicles 20:6 He said: Yahweh, the 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. ESV 2 Chronicles 20:6 and said, "O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you. NIV 2 Chronicles 20:6 and said: "O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you. NLT 2 Chronicles 20:6 He prayed, "O LORD, God of our ancestors, you alone are the God who is in heaven. You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth. You are powerful and mighty; no one can stand against you! O LORD: Ex 3:6,15,16 1Ch 29:18 God in the heavens: De 4:39 Jos 2:11 1Ki 8:23 Ps 115:3 Isa 57:15,16 66:1 Mt 6:9 And are You not ruler 1Ch 29:11,12 Ps 47:2,8 Jer 27:5-8 Da 4:17,25,32-35 in Your hand: 1Ch 29:11-12 Ps 62:11 Mt 6:13 no one can: Ac 11:17 Related Passages: 1 Chronicles 29:11-12+ (DAVID'S PRAYER) “Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O LORD, and You exalt Yourself as head over all. 12“Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone. Revelation 7:12+ saying, “Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen.” JEHOSHAPHAT ACKNOWLEDGES YAHWEH'S SOVEREIGNTY AND POWER and he said, “O LORD, the God of our fathers (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob), are You not God in the heavens? This is a rhetorical question which expects a "yes" response. It is a way of placing emphasis or reinforcing what Jehoshaphat was saying (next verse also a rhetorical question). NET Note - Heb “are you not God in heaven?” The rhetorical question expects the answer “yes,” resulting in the positive statement “you are the God who lives in heaven” employed in the NET translation. Gustafson - Chronicles emphasizes that God is in heaven because that is where He hears prayer. This is seen especially in Solomon’s prayer (2Ch 6:21, 23, 25, 27, 30, 33, 35, 39; cp. Ps 11:4; 103:19; 115:3). (Digital - What the Bible Teaches: 1 and 2 Chronicles or book - WTBT 1 and 2 Chronicles ) Adam Clarke called this “One of the most sensible, pious, correct, and as to its composition one of the most elegant prayers ever offered under the Old Testament dispensation.” John