1014 - War with Surrounding Nations

War with Surrounding Nations


The armies of the Moabites, Ammonites, and some of the Meunites declared war on Jehoshaphat. 


Messengers came and told Jehoshaphat, 


“A vast army from Edom is marching against you, from beyond the Dead Sea. 


They are already at Hazazon-tamar.” 


(This was another name for         Engedi.) 


Jehoshaphat was terrified by this news …and begged the Lord for guidance. 


He also ordered everyone in Judah to begin fasting. 


So people from all the towns of Judah came to Jerusalem, to seek the Lord’s help. 


Jehoshaphat stood before the community, of Judah and Jerusalem, in front of the new courtyard at the Temple of the Lord. 


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 our God, did you not drive out those who lived in this land, when Your people Israel arrived? 


And did you not give this land, forever, to the descendants of your friend Abraham? 


Your people settled here and built this Temple, to honor Your name. 


They said, 


‘Whenever we are faced with any calamity… such as war, plague, or famine, …we can come to stand in Your presence at this Temple, where Your name is honored. 


We can cry out to You, to save us, …and You will hear us …and You will rescue us.’ 


“And now see what the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir are doing. 


You would not let our ancestors invade those nations, when Israel left Egypt, so they went around them and did not destroy them. 


Now, see how they reward us! 


For they have come to throw us out of Your land, which You gave us, as an inheritance. 


O our God, won’t you stop them? 


We are powerless against this mighty army …about to attack us. 


We do not know what to do, so we are looking to You for help.” 


As all the men of Judah stood before the Lord, with their little ones, wives, and children, …the Spirit of the Lord came upon one of the men standing there. 


His name was Jahaziel, son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite, who was a descendant of Asaph. 


…and He said, 


“Listen, all you people, of Judah and Jerusalem! 


Listen, King Jehoshaphat! 


This is what the Lord says: 


Do not be afraid! 


Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, …but God’s. 


Tomorrow, march out against them. 


You will find them coming up through the ascent of Ziz, at the end of the valley …that opens into the wilderness of Jeruel. 


But you will not even need to fight. 


Take your positions; …then stand still …and watch the Lord’s victory. 


He is with you, O people, of Judah and Jerusalem. 


Do not be afraid or discouraged. 


Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!” 


2 Chronicles 20:1–17 (NLT)


Praise be to God!



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