Jehoshaphat

1Jehoshaphat his son succeeded him as king and strengthened himself against Israel. 2He stationed troops in all the fortified cities of Judah and put garrisons in Judah and in the towns of Ephraim that his father Asa had captured.

3The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the ways of his father David before him. He did not consult the Baals4but sought the God of his father and followed his commands rather than the practices of Israel. 5The Lord established the kingdom under his control; and all Judah brought gifts to Jehoshaphat, so that he had great wealth and honor. 6His heart was devoted to the ways of the Lord; furthermore, he removed the high places and the Asherah poles from Judah.

7In the third year of his reign he sent his officials Ben-Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel and Micaiah to teach in the towns of Judah. 8With them were certain Levites—Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah and Tob-Adonijah—and the priests Elishama and Jehoram. 9They taught throughout Judah, taking with them the Book of the Law of the Lord (in accordance with Dt. 31:10-13); they went around to all the towns of Judah and taught the people.

10The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah, so that they did not go to war against Jehoshaphat. 11Some Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as tribute, and the Arabs brought him flocks: seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred goats.

Thoughts: Jehoshaphat was another good king of Judah (873-849).  He was considered good in the Bible because he did what a good king would do- rule the people with justice, but also keep the faith.  Jehosaphat even spread the faith with his officials.  A revival fell on the people during the reign of Jehoshaphat because of the preaching.  His name means "the Lord judged."  He helped the people to repent.  During his time there was safety (except for one war we will talk about tomorrow).  So there was also opportunity for wealth building and honor building.  Jehoshaphat cared about the faith because he cared about the Lord.  He trusted and relied on Him in the good and the bad times.  We are called to also keep the faith and to trust in God first.  

Prayer: Lord, Help me to trust in you.  As I repent and honor you may you be near to me.  

Jehoshaphat's Witness

20Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.” 21After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his^c holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying:

“Give thanks to the Lord,

for his love endures forever.”

22As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. 23The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another.

24When the men of Judah came to the place that overlooks the desert and looked toward the vast army, they saw only dead bodies lying on the ground; no one had escaped. (2 Chr. 20)

Thoughts: Jehoshaphat was one of the great and godly kings.  He was not embarrassed to tear down the idols and ask for God's blessing.  Indeed God blessed him with peace until this episode except when the ungodly king of Israel enticed him into an offensive battle against Syria.  After God's clear deliverance, Jehoshaphat was not attacked again.  

This is one of the great stories of God's deliverance when the people had no hope.  The surrounding people of Moab, Ammon, and eastern nomad tribes outnumbered the army of Judah probably 10 to 1.  There was no ally to call on for help, for Israel was weak. The people looked to their greatest resource: God.  It is a lesson for us.  When the stress and the odds are stacked against us we should look to the Lord our deliverer.
     So, instead of hiding behind the high walls of Jerusalem where they stood more of a chance, they marched out.  Instead of marching out in fear, they marched out with thanksgiving.  Now perhaps their enemies heard their thanksgiving and thought another army was coming to save them.   The passage says that "the Lord set ambushes" against the men.  It doesn't say what kind of ambushes.  It could have been angelic deliverance or it could have been human ingenuity that the Lord used or confusion within the ranks of the enemy.  No details are given.  Whatever was used was seen as clearly from God- and He was given glory.  There is power in giving thanks to God.  It gives courage and it also allows God to work.  When God works- through whatever means- He should get glory.

Prayer: Lord, you are worthy of our praise and thanks.  You are the lifter of our heads and our hope.