Loading…

From Splendor to Shadow

69/252

Armies That Threaten to Destroy Judah

Toward the close of Jehoshaphat's reign Judah was invaded. “The children of Moab, and the children of Ammon ... came against Jehoshaphat to battle.” Tidings of this invasion reached the king through a messenger, who appeared with the startling word, “There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria.” 2 Chronicles 20:1, 2. SS 104.2

Jehoshaphat was a man of courage. For years he had been strengthening his armies and fortified cities. He was well prepared to meet almost any foe; yet in this crisis he put not his trust in the arm of flesh. Only by a living faith in God could he hope to gain the victory over these heathen who boasted of their power to humble Judah in the eyes of the nations. SS 104.3

“Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah gathered themselves together to ask help of the Lord.” Standing in the temple court before his people, Jehoshaphat poured out his soul in prayer: “O Lord God of our fathers, ... 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? Art not Thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before Thy people Israel ...?” SS 104.4

“And now, behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom Thou wouldest not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, ... and destroyed them not; behold, I say, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of Thy possession, which Thou hast given us to inherit ... . We have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon Thee.” Verses 3, 4, 6, 7, 10-12. SS 105.1

For years Jehoshaphat had taught the people to trust in the One who had so often saved His chosen ones from destruction; and now he did not stand alone: “All Judah stood before the Lord, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.” Verse 13. Unitedly they besought the Lord to put their enemies to confusion: SS 105.2

O God, do not keep silence;
Do not hold Thy peace or be still, O God!
For lo, Thy enemies are in tumult; ...
They say, “Come, let us wipe them out as a nation; ...”
Against Thee they make a covenant ... .
Let them be put to shame and dismayed forever;
Let them perish in disgrace.
Let them know that Thou alone,
whose name is the Lord,
Art the Most High over all the earth.
Psalm 83, RSV

As the people joined with their king in humbling themselves before God, the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel, a Levite, and he said: “Thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's ... . Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them: for the Lord will be with you.” 2 Chronicles 20:15-17. SS 105.3