The Battle is the LORD’S
2 Chronicles 20

Jehoshaphat was a King of Judah who stands out as one who desired to serve the Lord with all his heart.  His one major mistake was when he joined himself and his people in an alliance with King Ahab, who ruled Israel, the northern portion of the divided kingdom. Ahab's wife you will remember was wicked Jezebel.  In fact, because of the alliance with Israel, Jehoshaphat allowed his son to marry Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel.  That act would have dire consequences for the entire nation.  But that is another story that you may read about by clicking on - “King Athaliah was no Lady”.

Generally speaking, however, Jehoshaphat was a good man.  One of the outstanding events in his reign is recorded in II Chronicles chapter 20.  Judah is about to be invaded by the Ammonites, the Moabites, and perhaps some other "...ites ".  Our story would be rather mundane if the king had merely taken his forces out to do battle with the intruders.  He may well have defeated them.  After all he did have a large army of his own. But isn't that the very thing that often leads to our defeat? Too often we consider the odds as to whether we can do a task in our own strength.  Then if we determine that we cannot we go to plan “B” or “C” and realize that it is time that we should seek the Lord for His help. Let us learn something from King Jehoshaphat.

It came to pass after this also, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle. Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria; and, behold, they be in Hazazontamar, which is Engedi. (II Chron. 20:1,2)

What do we do, Oh King?  Shall we muster the troops?  Shall we call in the Egyptians?  Shall we run South away from trouble?  What shall we do Sir?  And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah (v.3) This man knew from experience that God is the only One to trust when the chips are down.  He also knew that God is the only One to trust when the chips are up!  Jehoshaphat had been there before.  So why gamble with the Kingdom?  Oh how much our present government leadership could learn from the history of God's dealing with His people in Scripture, a source once considered vital if one would rule well in this fair land of ours.  Even the heathen King of Nineveh exercised wisdom and insight, and that against all odds when he said Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?  (Jonah 3:9) Jonah had given them no hope. He did not preach a "potential" doom, but a positive condemnation, in 40 days, your city will be destroyed!  But the King saw a ray of hope in the God of Jonah and called his city to repentance. Who can tell what the Lord will do for a humble and contrite people?  And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not. (cf. Jer. 18:7-10)

Our text tells us that Jehoshaphat feared.  Fear alone leads to confused action.  But fear brought to God in faith will often hear Him say, "Fear not".  The Hebrew idiom in verse 3 presents a dynamic picture of what Jehoshaphat did.  The literal meaning is that "He gave his face in pursuit of Jehovah." He turned toward God and kept seeking after Him. He also extended his concern to include his people, who also had an important stake in the affair.  They were called upon to fast, even as Nineveh fasted. 

And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the LORD: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD. (v.4)

 And all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children. (v.13)

Jehoshaphat's prayer is marvelous! In it he rehearses the mighty acts of God on behalf of His people, and takes note of the fact that God is also Ruler over all the kings and kingdoms of the earth, including the heathen. (cf. Dan. 2:21, 4:17)  There is also an obvious appeal to the promise of God in II Chron 7:14

Now comes one of those thrilling portions of Scripture. The kind that makes the hair stands up and brings forth an involuntary "Hallelujah!" The Spirit of prophecy came upon Jahaziel a Levite in the midst of the congregation and he barks out; Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, 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. (v. 15)

I do not know all the implications of this verse. I do not know for instance just why this particular battle is the Lord's. Nor why He chooses to fight it in so dramatic fashion.  But I sure am glad He did. And I appreciate the way He does it. God says: 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. (v. 17)

At this point, and with this Word, you would expect the people to begin celebrating their victory.  You would expect the camp to go wild with joy, and perhaps do a little partying.  But to their credit, they take the time to acknowledge the Lord. And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, worshipping the LORD. And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites, and of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with a loud voice on high. (vs. 18,19)

There is a contrast between "Face to the ground" and "Stood up to praise".  The former representing a humble attitude in recognition of the Majesty, Glory, Honor and Power of God, and the latter expressing vocally the same attitude.  We can even find the forerunners of all the Christian Praise Choirs throughout the world in verse 21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth forever.

The King James Version says that God set "Ambushments" against the enemy.  That would have been something to see.  I do not know what one of God's Ambushments looks like, but the results were devastating for the opposing armies. When Judah looked upon the scene, all they found were dead bodies.  The battle indeed was the Lord's!  The outcome is no surprise to us.  The enemies of God end up destroying each other.  It is left for the people of God to plunder the goods.

There is a valley in the Judean desert, on the northwest corner of the Dead Sea.  It received its name "Valley of Blessing" after this very battle, as recorded in verse 26 of our text.

And on the fourth day they assembled themselves in the valley of Berachah; for there they blessed the LORD: therefore the name of the same place was called, the valley of Berachah, unto this day.

You are invited to live in the Valley of Blessings today.  You serve the same God that fought for His people throughout the ages. Are you confronting an ominous foe?  Take courage dear saint of God, because The Battle is the LORD'S.

Jeremiah 18:7-10 At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it; If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them. And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it; If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.

Dan 2:21 And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding.

Dan 4:17 This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.