Lessons from King Jehoshaphat



I read II Chronicles 20 the other day in preparation for a Wisdom From the Word article. I was struck with the similarities between the happenings in that chapter, and the way I think Jesus wants the church to operate in the earth today.

II Chronicles 20 contains the story of King Jehoshaphat and Judah being attacked by some foreign nations. When the king hears that this massive army is marching to attack him and his nation, he responds in a way that pleased God, and insured his victory, because he acted according to the principles of the Word of God.

See below how Jehoshaphat and the nation of Judah responded to the news of the impending crisis.

1. Jehoshaphat was alarmed, but immediately he resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all of Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek help. (verses 3-4)

2. After the people of Judah had gathered together to seek God, then Jehoshaphat stood up and led the people in prayer to God. I am impressed that Jehoshaphat maintained an intimate relationship with God. In the time of crisis, he did not shirk the responsibility of leadership. He led his people before the throne of God.

There is a lesson here for all believers. In the time of crisis in my life, it is my responsibility to seek God. It is my responsibility to hear from God. Too many believers are not confident in their own relationship with God, and they want everyone else to do their praying. The church should pray for one another, but James said, Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. (James 5:13a)

3. I love the last words of the prayer of Jehoshaphat. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you. (verse 13) To be focused on the God of heaven and earth will only lead to good things in the life of any person.

4. As the people continued to stand before the Lord, the Spirit of God came upon one of the Levites and he began to prophesy. The Spirit of God gave the following specific direction to the nation in response to their praying and fasting to God.

Wow! Talk about a powerful prophetic word from God!

5. In the response to word from God, Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground. The whole nation fell down in worship to God. Then some of the people stood up and began to sing and to worship God.

6. Early the next morning as the people rose to face the enemy, Jehoshaphat encouraged the people by saying, Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful. (verse 20)

7. This point amazes me. This king and his people had such a strong faith in God, and so believed the prophetic revelation of the previous day, that Jehoshaphat consulted with the people, and they agreed to appoint men, who would sing praises to God, to lead the army to their positions. Imagine a modern day army being led to battle by a church choir singing praises to God!

8. As the men began to sing and praise God, the Lord set ambushes against the vast army. In the end they killed each other. When the army of Judah arrived to take their positions, they found all of their enemies DEAD.

9. The Bible teaches that the wealth of the wicked is stored up for the righteous. It took the people of Judah three days to gather all the spoils of victory. God wants to prosper HIS people.

10. On the fourth day the nation gathered in the valley, where God had destroyed the enemies of Judah, and they once again praised the Lord. Then, Jehoshaphat led them back to Jerusalem with joy and praises to God.

11. The other nations heard about the mighty victory God wrought for Judah, and the fear of God came upon them. That enabled Judah to live in peace with rest on every side.

This story encourages me to seek God and to obey him. Everyone wins when a believer obeys God. Well, I suppose everyone except the enemies of God!



Wayne L. Williams
July 23, 2005
Atlanta, Georgia


wayne@fotwm.org
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