There’s an interesting narrative about Jehoshaphat in Second Chronicles chapter twenty. As King over Judah, he is faced with three nations allying themselves against God’s people. He was told that a vast army of Moabites, Ammonites, and the Meunites from Mt. Seir were marching toward Jerusalem where he publicly goes to God requesting His intervention on their behalf.
During that assembly, the Holy Spirit falls on Jahaziel and he begins to prophesy: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow march down against them… You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.'”
The Battle Belongs To The Lord!
That night, a strange thing happens. The three armies became embroiled in an argument with one another. They began fighting. The Ammonites and the Moabites completely annihilated the army from Mount Seir. But this is not all… before the night was over something else happened: As is always the case, hateful, ugly minded, mean spirited, selfish, greedy, narcissistic men turn on each other, and by daybreak they had completely destroyed one another.
When Jehoshaphat and his army got to an overlook where they could see the desert floor, they saw nothing but dead bodies. The text tells us that no one escaped. And that it took three days for Judah to carry out the plunder of gold, silver, clothing, weaponry, and other articles of value.
God is in Control
He will forgive our sins. He will gift us with the Holy Spirit. He promises to save us in Heaven…
If we will acknowledge and confess the name of Jesus…
Change the direction of our life…
Be born anew, born from above, in New Testament baptism.
As children of God, we are to have faith, not be afraid, take up our positions, stand firm in our walk, be courageous, as we witness the deliverance of The Lord. God’s Got This!