Psalm 62:8-12 Rewarded Trust
Ps 62:8 “Trust in him at all times, you people. Pour out your heart before him. God is a refuge for us. Selah. 9 Surely men of low degree are just a breath, and men of high degree are a lie. In the balances they will go up. They are together lighter than a breath. 10 Don’t trust in oppression. Don’t become vain in robbery. If riches increase, don’t set your heart on them. 11 God has spoken once; twice I have heard this, that power belongs to God. 12 Also to you, Lord, belongs hesed/loyal covenantal love` for you reward every man according to his work."
Observations: 62:1-7 See post of Joshua 22 for vv 1-7, where God requires an exclusive relationship with us.
62:8-12 We should trust in God because any other alternative is nothing. If you put men of high or low degree (important or unsavory) in a scale they are nothing. True power belongs to God, not in oppression nor wealth (which also flies up and away). God is not only the source of true power, but of hesed, the covenantal loyalty to those who are in an exclusive relationship with Him. He demonstrates loyalty to His promises by rewarding each according to his/her work.
Application: Trust in God rather than man, and expect Him to loyally reward your loyalty to Him.
Prayer: God, thanks that You never fail Your people who look to You in faith, rather than human power. Amen.
Proverbs 16:14-15 Managing Your Boss
Observations: 16:14-15 Kings are like lions: they're great to have on your side if they like you; but if they don't, you're dead. You probably don't have a king to manage, but a boss. A wise person learns how to manage and fulfill the expectations of their boss. The wise work objective is to work heartily, serving the needs of their boss and company, to please them and God (Colossians 3:22-25). Honesty is the best policy, although truth-speaking might get you in trouble if not combined with discretion (“Why are you saying what you're saying; what objective will it accomplish?”). The fool who only works to boost their sagging self-esteem at the expense of others, will soon find themselves to be cat-food.
Application: Humility, admitting wrong-doing and promising to do better will go a long way toward pacifying wrath.
Prayer: Lord, give me wisdom to know what I should do and say in responding to pointy-haired bosses, and trying times at work. Grant me favor in the sight of my superiors. Thanks. Amen.
2 Chronicles 17-20 Great King Jehoshaphat follows in the good footsteps of his father Asa and extends Yahweh worship in Judah. God responds with riches, and honor and peace. Unfortunately, Jehoshaphat gets himself involved in a couple of unholy relationships, and suffers loss, but God delivers when he calls out to Him. Chapter 20 is one of the highlights of God's salvation in the OT, where He turns a huge problem into profit, and Judah's only problem is, where are they going to put all the blessing! See 2 Chronicles Survey Part I: The Amazin' Asa and Jump'n Jehosaphat for more.
2 Chronicles 17 Physical and Spiritual Strength
17:1 Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place, and strengthened himself against Israel. 2 He placed forces in all the fortified cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken. 3 Yahweh was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and didn’t seek the Baals, 4 but sought to the God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel. 5 Therefore Yahweh established the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat tribute; and he had riches and honor in abundance. 6 His heart was lifted up in the ways of Yahweh: and furthermore he took away the high places and the Asherim out of Judah. 7 Also in the third year of his reign he sent his princes...to teach in the cities of Judah; 8 and with them the Levites...9 They taught in Judah, having the book of the law of Yahweh with them; and they went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught among the people.
Observations: 17:1-5 Asa's son, Jehoshaphat, became exceedingly great, and had riches and honor in abundance. His secret? God was with him. Why was God with him? Because he obeyed God and did what God wanted. Not just once, but Jehoshaphat walked (as in every day) in the commandments of God. He learned them, and obeyed them, and then helped others do the same. As king, he strengthened the nation militarily by building physical defenses, and built them up spiritually as well, so the people wouldn't do the things that brought God's wrath upon them.
17:6-9 Jehoshaphat not only removed the high places and idols, but revived the people by sending out teachers of the law, both princes and priests, to teach them. No revival can be sustained that isn't based upon an accurate understanding of and commitment to God's word.
17:10-19 God responds with not only peace, but tribute form former enemies.
Application: Walking every day according to God's word and not according to the world's way is the path to peace and prosperity. What more do you want?
Prayer: God, please keep in front of me the simple truth, that You want and bless my everyday obedience. Thanks. Amen.
2 Chronicles 18 Duped but Delivered
4 Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, "Please inquire first for the word of Yahweh." 5 Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, four hundred men, and said to them, "Shall we go to Ramoth Gilead to battle, or shall I forbear?" They said, "Go up; for God will deliver it into the hand of the king." 6 But Jehoshaphat said, "Isn’t there here a prophet of Yahweh besides, that we may inquire of him?" 7 The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of Yahweh; but I hate him, for he never prophesies good concerning me, but always evil. He is Micaiah the son of Imla." 13 Micaiah said, "As Yahweh lives, what my God says, that will I speak." 16 He said, "I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd. Yahweh said, ‘These have no master. Let them return every man to his house in peace.’" 17 The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "Didn’t I tell you that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?"... 22 "Now therefore, behold, Yahweh has put a lying spirit in the mouth of these your prophets; and Yahweh has spoken evil concerning you." 26 and say, ‘Thus says the king, "Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I return in peace."’" 27 Micaiah said, "If you return at all in peace, Yahweh has not spoken by me." He said, "Listen, you peoples, all of you!"
28 So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth Gilead. 29 The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "I will disguise myself, and go into the battle; but you put on your robes." So the king of Israel disguised himself; and they went into the battle. 30 Now the king of Syria had commanded the captains of his chariots, saying, "Fight neither with small nor great, except only with the king of Israel." 31 It happened, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, "It is the king of Israel!" Therefore they turned around to fight against him. But Jehoshaphat cried out, and Yahweh helped him; and God moved them to depart from him. 32 When the captains of the chariots saw that it was not the king of Israel, that they turned back from pursuing him. 33 A certain man drew his bow at random, and struck the king of Israel between the joints of the armor. Therefore he said to the driver of the chariot, "Turn your hand, and carry me out of the army; for I am severely wounded." 34 The battle increased that day. However the king of Israel propped himself up in his chariot against the Syrians until the evening; and about the time of the going down of the sun, he died.
Observations: 18:1-27 This chapter is very similar to 1Kg 22, see more observations there. Jehoshaphat's son married the daughter of Ahab, one of the most evil kings of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. There should have been no alliance between them. Perhaps Jehoshaphat started desiring the acceptance and honor of men, more than that of Yahweh. Jehoshaphat ignores the warning of the one true prophet of Yahweh, and follows the 400 lying prophets instead. If someone inquires of Yahweh, they should obey what He reveals.
18:28-34 Jehoshaphat foolishly follows Ahab's scheme of disguise, but God rescues Jehoshaphat when he calls out to Him. 1Kg 22 doesn't mention that when Jehoshaphat cried out, “Yahweh helped him; and God moved them to depart from him” (18:31). However, there were still negative consequences for his folly (next chapter).
Application: God protects those who are seeking to follow Him, even when they aren't that wise.
Prayer: Lord, may I be so sensitive to Your will every day, that I avoid entanglements and relationships which hinder Your ability to bless me. Amen.
2 Chronicles 19 Fearfully, Faithfully, and Wholeheartedly
Observations:19:1-3 Jehoshaphat gets his life spared after his folly with Ahab in the previous chapter, but gets met by a prophet with a message of wrath from Yahweh for helping the wicked. Apparently, random acts of kindness don't please God; discernment is always needed. If the individual is forsaking God, then God has forsaken them. It's their choice, and God's sovereign consequence attached to the choice. God's displeasure was tempered by Jehoshaphat's monotheistic devotion to Him.
19:4-11 Jehoshaphat seeks to reinstate Yahweh worship and the rule of Yahweh's law, even from Beersheba in the south, to the hill country of Ephraim in the north. He sets up judges to manifest God's justice, warning them to warn the people to live justly so God's wrath would not come upon the nation.
Application: If we want God to be with us, we need to be doing His will, fearfully, faithfully, and wholeheartedly.
Prayer: Lord, I will serve You fearfully, faithfully and wholeheartedly, so that Your ways are known to those around me. Amen.
2 Chronicles 20 Problems Become Profit Following the Prophet
5 Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of Yahweh, before the new court; 6 and he said, "Yahweh, the God of our fathers, aren’t you God in heaven? Aren’t you ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in your hand, so that no one is able to withstand you. 7 Didn’t you, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it to the seed of Abraham your friend forever? 8 They lived in it, and have built you a sanctuary in it for your name, saying, 9 ‘If evil comes on us—the sword, judgment, pestilence, or famine—we will stand before this house, and before you, (for your name is in this house), and cry to you in our affliction, and you will hear and save.’ 10 Now, behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom you would not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned aside from them, and didn’t destroy them; 11 behold, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of your possession, which you have given us to inherit. 12 Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no might against this great company that comes against us; neither do we know what to do, but our eyes are on you." 13 All Judah stood before Yahweh, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.
14 Then the Spirit of Yahweh came on Jahaziel...in the midst of the assembly; 15 and he said, "Listen, all Judah, and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you king Jehoshaphat. Thus says Yahweh to you, ‘Don’t be afraid, neither be dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16 Tomorrow go down against them. Behold, they are coming up by the ascent of Ziz. You shall find them at the end of the valley, before the wilderness of Jeruel. 17 You will not need to fight this battle. Set yourselves, stand still, and see the salvation of Yahweh with you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Don’t be afraid, nor be dismayed. Go out against them tomorrow, for Yahweh is with you.’"
18 Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground; and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before Yahweh, worshiping Yahweh. 19 The Levites...stood up to praise Yahweh, the God of Israel, with an exceeding loud voice. 20 They rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Listen to me, Judah, and you inhabitants of Jerusalem! Believe in Yahweh your God, so you shall be established! Believe his prophets, so you shall prosper." 21 When he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who should sing to Yahweh, and give praise in holy array, as they went out before the army, and say, Give thanks to Yahweh; for his hesed/loyal covenantal love endures forever. 22 When they began to sing and to praise, Yahweh set ambushers against the children of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were struck. 23 For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, utterly to kill and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, everyone helped to destroy another.
24 When Judah came to the place overlooking the wilderness, they looked at the multitude; and behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and there were none who escaped. 25 When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take their spoil, they found among them in abundance both riches and dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away: and they were three days in taking the spoil, it was so much. 26 On the fourth day they assembled themselves in the valley of Beracah; for there they blessed Yahweh: therefore the name of that place was called The valley of Beracah to this day. 27 Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in their forefront, to go again to Jerusalem with joy; for Yahweh had made them to rejoice over their enemies. 28 They came to Jerusalem with stringed instruments and harps and trumpets to the house of Yahweh. 29 The fear of God was on all the kingdoms of the countries, when they heard that Yahweh fought against the enemies of Israel. 30 So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet; for his God gave him rest all around.
31 Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah: he was thirty-five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty-five years in Jerusalem: and his mother’s name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi. 32 He walked in the way of Asa his father, and didn’t turn aside from it, doing that which was right in the eyes of Yahweh. 33 However the high places were not taken away; neither as yet had the people set their hearts to the God of their fathers. 34 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first and last, behold, they are written in the history of Jehu the son of Hanani, which is inserted in the book of the kings of Israel. 35 After this Jehoshaphat king of Judah joined himself with Ahaziah king of Israel. The same did very wickedly: 36 and he joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish; and they made the ships in Ezion Geber. 37 Then Eliezer prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, "Because you have joined yourself with Ahaziah, Yahweh has destroyed your works." The ships were broken, so that they were not able to go to Tarshish.
Observations: 20:1-4 Faced with an insurmountable problem of imminent destruction, Jehoshaphat and the people fast and seek Yahweh.
20:5-13 Jehoshaphat provides a model prayer based upon God's revelation and promises, echoing Solomon's dedication of the temple. He reminds himself who God is, and what He's done, and promised. Then he casually mentions that their problem exists because God didn't allow them to invade Ammon and Moab, and that it is unjust to be attacked by them. It's always good to give God reasons to answer a plea for help, especially noting that He is the only hope of salvation, and they are trusting in Him to come through for them.
20:14-17 God answers the battle isn't theirs, but His. All they have to do is set, stand, and see the salvation of Yahweh, which required faithfully trusting God.
20:18-30 In response to God's revelation, everyone worships, and praises God. In faithful obedience, they rose early and went out, as God said. Jehoshaphat reminds them that belief in God establishes them, and belief in His prophetic word prospers them. They again praise God for His hesed. When they began to sing and praise, an act of faith, God acted in setting the enemy against each other. They all died. It took Judah three days to carry away all the spoil. Now wasn't it nice of God to bring it all to their doorstep?
20:31-37 Despite Jehoshaphat's example, efforts and victories, the people didn't set their hearts after God, and apparently rebuilt the high places he had destroyed earlier in his reign. Jehoshaphat didn't depart from orthodox worship, but did repeat his folly of aligning himself with apostate Israel, this time in a business venture. God sends a prophet to make it clear that He was destroying the works which weren't His will. Sigh.
Application: Insurmountable problems are the pathway to incredible prosperity for those who walk in God's ways, both trusting and obeying His word.
Prayer: God, You are the same, yesterday, today, and forever, seeking to bless those whose heart is fixed on trusting and obeying You; here I am; spare me the folly of unholy unions. Amen.
Digging Deeper:
God in a nutshell: God will bless those who seek to please Him by doing what He commanded, and seeking to do what is right in His sight. He will destroy those who oppose Him, and foil the works of His servants that aren't done in holiness. God uses godly leadership to set His people's hearts in the right direction, but they won't stay on course unless each individual embraces God's will for themselves. God specializes in bringing delight out of disaster for those whose hearts are His.
Us in a nutshell: We can have a heart set on pleasing God, and be doing the right things, but still make stupid mistakes if we don't daily seek God's will. If we're not careful, we can wind up getting entangled in bad relationships. Even in the midst of mistakes, we can call out to God and He will answer. When facing problems, we should not fear but call out to God, and trust what He has revealed. Following good leadership is no substitute for faithfully following God according to His word.
Where to Go for More:
Truthbase.net
2Chronicles complete text
2 Chronicles 17
17:1 Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place, and strengthened himself against Israel. 2 He placed forces in all the fortified cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken. 3 Yahweh was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and didn’t seek the Baals, 4 but sought to the God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel. 5 Therefore Yahweh established the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat tribute; and he had riches and honour in abundance. 6 His heart was lifted up in the ways of Yahweh: and furthermore he took away the high places and the Asherim out of Judah. 7 Also in the third year of his reign he sent his princes, even Ben Hail, and Obadiah, and Zechariah, and Nethanel, and Micaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah; 8 and with them the Levites, even Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tobadonijah, the Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, the priests. 9 They taught in Judah, having the book of the law of Yahweh with them; and they went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught among the people.
10 The fear of Yahweh fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat. 11 Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and silver for tribute; the Arabians also brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred male goats. 12 Jehoshaphat grew great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles and cities of store. 13 He had many works in the cities of Judah; and men of war, mighty men of valour, in Jerusalem. 14 This was the numbering of them according to their fathers’ houses: Of Judah, the captains of thousands: Adnah the captain, and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand; 15 and next to him Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred eighty thousand; 16 and next to him Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself to Yahweh; and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour. 17 Of Benjamin: Eliada a mighty man of valour, and with him two hundred thousand armed with bow and shield; 18 and next to him Jehozabad and with him one hundred eighty thousand ready prepared for war. 19 These were those who waited on the king, besides those whom the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah.
2 Chronicles 18
18:1 Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance; and he joined affinity with Ahab. 2 After certain years he went down to Ahab to Samaria. Ahab killed sheep and cattle for him in abundance, and for the people who were with him, and moved him to go up with him to Ramoth Gilead. 3 Ahab king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, "Will you go with me to Ramoth Gilead?" He answered him, "I am as you are, and my people as your people. We will be with you in the war."
4 Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, "Please inquire first for the word of Yahweh." 5 Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, four hundred men, and said to them, "Shall we go to Ramoth Gilead to battle, or shall I forbear?" They said, "Go up; for God will deliver it into the hand of the king." 6 But Jehoshaphat said, "Isn’t there here a prophet of Yahweh besides, that we may inquire of him?" 7 The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of Yahweh; but I hate him, for he never prophesies good concerning me, but always evil. He is Micaiah the son of Imla." Jehoshaphat said, "Don’t let the king say so." 8 Then the king of Israel called an officer, and said, "Get Micaiah the son of Imla quickly." 9 Now the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah sat each on his throne, arrayed in their robes, and they were sitting in an open place at the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets were prophesying before them. 10 Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him horns of iron, and said, "Thus says Yahweh, ‘With these you shall push the Syrians, until they are consumed.’" 11 All the prophets prophesied so, saying, "Go up to Ramoth Gilead, and prosper; for Yahweh will deliver it into the hand of the king." 12 The messenger who went to call Micaiah spoke to him, saying, "Behold, the words of the prophets declare good to the king with one mouth. Let your word therefore, please be like one of theirs, and speak good." 13 Micaiah said, "As Yahweh lives, what my God says, that will I speak." 14 When he had come to the king, the king said to him, "Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth Gilead to battle, or shall I forbear?" He said, "Go up, and prosper. They shall be delivered into your hand." 15 The king said to him, "How many times shall I adjure you that you speak to me nothing but the truth in the name of Yahweh?" 16 He said, "I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd. Yahweh said, ‘These have no master. Let them return every man to his house in peace.’" 17 The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "Didn’t I tell you that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?" 18 Micaiah said, "Therefore hear the word of Yahweh: I saw Yahweh sitting on his throne, and all the army of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left. 19 Yahweh said, ‘Who shall entice Ahab king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth Gilead?’ One spoke saying in this way, and another saying in that way. 20 A spirit came out, stood before Yahweh, and said, ‘I will entice him.’ "Yahweh said to him, ‘How?’ 21 "He said, ‘I will go forth, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ "He said, ‘You will entice him, and will prevail also. Go forth, and do so.’ 22 "Now therefore, behold, Yahweh has put a lying spirit in the mouth of these your prophets; and Yahweh has spoken evil concerning you." 23 Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near, and struck Micaiah on the cheek, and said, "Which way did the Spirit of Yahweh go from me to speak to you?" 24 Micaiah said, "Behold, you shall see on that day, when you shall go into an inner room to hide yourself." 25 The king of Israel said, "Take Micaiah, and carry him back to Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king’s son; 26 and say, ‘Thus says the king, "Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I return in peace."’" 27 Micaiah said, "If you return at all in peace, Yahweh has not spoken by me." He said, "Listen, you peoples, all of you!"
28 So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth Gilead. 29 The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "I will disguise myself, and go into the battle; but you put on your robes." So the king of Israel disguised himself; and they went into the battle. 30 Now the king of Syria had commanded the captains of his chariots, saying, "Fight neither with small nor great, except only with the king of Israel." 31 It happened, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, "It is the king of Israel!" Therefore they turned around to fight against him. But Jehoshaphat cried out, and Yahweh helped him; and God moved them to depart from him. 32 It happened, when the captains of the chariots saw that it was not the king of Israel, that they turned back from pursuing him. 33 A certain man drew his bow at random, and struck the king of Israel between the joints of the armour. Therefore he said to the driver of the chariot, "Turn your hand, and carry me out of the army; for I am severely wounded." 34 The battle increased that day. However the king of Israel propped himself up in his chariot against the Syrians until the evening; and about the time of the going down of the sun, he died.
2 Chronicles 19
19:1 Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem. 2 Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, "Should you help the wicked, and love those who hate Yahweh? Because of this, wrath is on you from before Yahweh. 3 Nevertheless there are good things found in you, in that you have put away the Asheroth out of the land, and have set your heart to seek God." 4 Jehoshaphat lived at Jerusalem: and he went out again among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim, and brought them back to Yahweh, the God of their fathers.
5 He set judges in the land throughout all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city, 6 and said to the judges, "Consider what you do: for you don’t judge for man, but for Yahweh; and he is with you in the judgment. 7 Now therefore let the fear of Yahweh be on you. Take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with Yahweh our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of bribes." 8 Moreover in Jerusalem Jehoshaphat appointed Levites and priests, and of the heads of the fathers’ households of Israel, for the judgment of Yahweh, and for controversies. They returned to Jerusalem. 9 He commanded them, saying, "Thus you shall do in the fear of Yahweh, faithfully, and with a perfect heart. 10 Whenever any controversy shall come to you from your brothers who dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and ordinances, you shall warn them, that they not be guilty towards Yahweh, and so wrath come on you and on your brothers. Do this, and you shall not be guilty. 11 Behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of Yahweh; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, in all the king’s matters: also the Levites shall be officers before you. Deal courageously, and may Yahweh be with the good."
2 Chronicles 20
20:1 It happened after this, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them some of the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle. 2 Then some came who told Jehoshaphat, saying, "A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea from Syria. Behold, they are in Hazazon Tamar" (that is, En Gedi). 3 Jehoshaphat was alarmed, and set himself to seek to Yahweh. He proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 4 Judah gathered themselves together, to seek help from Yahweh. They came out of all the cities of Judah to seek Yahweh. 5 Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of Yahweh, before the new court; 6 and he said, "Yahweh, the God of our fathers, aren’t you God in heaven? Aren’t you ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in your hand, so that no one is able to withstand you. 7 Didn’t you, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it to the seed of Abraham your friend forever? 8 They lived in it, and have built you a sanctuary in it for your name, saying, 9 ‘If evil comes on us—the sword, judgment, pestilence, or famine—we will stand before this house, and before you, (for your name is in this house), and cry to you in our affliction, and you will hear and save.’ 10 Now, behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom you would not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned aside from them, and didn’t destroy them; 11 behold, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of your possession, which you have given us to inherit. 12 Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no might against this great company that comes against us; neither know we what to do, but our eyes are on you." 13 All Judah stood before Yahweh, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.
14 Then the Spirit of Yahweh came on Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, the Levite, of the sons of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly; 15 and he said, "Listen, all Judah, and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you king Jehoshaphat. Thus says Yahweh to you, ‘Don’t be afraid, neither be dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16 Tomorrow go down against them. Behold, they are coming up by the ascent of Ziz. You shall find them at the end of the valley, before the wilderness of Jeruel. 17 You will not need to fight this battle. Set yourselves, stand still, and see the salvation of Yahweh with you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Don’t be afraid, nor be dismayed. Go out against them tomorrow, for Yahweh is with you.’" 18 Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground; and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before Yahweh, worshipping Yahweh. 19 The Levites, of the children of the Kohathites and of the children of the Korahites, stood up to praise Yahweh, the God of Israel, with an exceeding loud voice.
20 They rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Listen to me, Judah, and you inhabitants of Jerusalem! Believe in Yahweh your God, so you shall be established! Believe his prophets, so you shall prosper." 21 When he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who should sing to Yahweh, and give praise in holy array, as they went out before the army, and say, Give thanks to Yahweh; for his loving kindness endures forever. 22 When they began to sing and to praise, Yahweh set ambushers against the children of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were struck. 23 For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, utterly to kill and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, everyone helped to destroy another. 24 When Judah came to the place overlooking the wilderness, they looked at the multitude; and behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and there were none who escaped. 25 When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take their spoil, they found among them in abundance both riches and dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away: and they were three days in taking the spoil, it was so much. 26 On the fourth day they assembled themselves in the valley of Beracah; for there they blessed Yahweh: therefore the name of that place was called The valley of Beracah to this day. 27 Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in their forefront, to go again to Jerusalem with joy; for Yahweh had made them to rejoice over their enemies. 28 They came to Jerusalem with stringed instruments and harps and trumpets to the house of Yahweh. 29 The fear of God was on all the kingdoms of the countries, when they heard that Yahweh fought against the enemies of Israel. 30 So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet; for his God gave him rest all around.
31 ehoshaphat reigned over Judah: he was thirty-five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty-five years in Jerusalem: and his mother’s name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi. 32 He walked in the way of Asa his father, and didn’t turn aside from it, doing that which was right in the eyes of Yahweh. 33 However the high places were not taken away; neither as yet had the people set their hearts to the God of their fathers. 34 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first and last, behold, they are written in the history of Jehu the son of Hanani, which is inserted in the book of the kings of Israel. 35 After this Jehoshaphat king of Judah joined himself with Ahaziah king of Israel. The same did very wickedly: 36 and he joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish; and they made the ships in Ezion Geber. 37 Then Eliezer the son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, "Because you have joined yourself with Ahaziah, Yahweh has destroyed your works." The ships were broken, so that they were not able to go to Tarshish.
No comments:
Post a Comment