Outside reading (3)

2 Chronicles 20 - Jehoshaphat Defeats Moab and Ammon
November 27th, 2017
SArah Clark


I'm always amazed how even after hearing Bible stories my whole life, there are still so many stories I haven’t heard of. This Sunday, I got the chance to go to Big House in Norfolk with some of my roommates.  One of the stories the pastor brought up was about Jehoshaphat.  I had totally forgotten about the story of him defeating the Moabites and Ammonites.  When Jehoshaphat is told that there is a vast army coming towards him, he is “alarmed” and “resolved to inquire of the LORD, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah” (NIV, 2 Chronicles 20:3).  I think it’s really powerful that as a political head and leader he outwardly got alarmed and urgently sought help.  This is a huge act of humility.  He turned his decision making power over to the Lord.  In front of the courtyard he said a prayer to the Lord.  It ended with “we do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you” (NIV, 2 Chronicles 20:12).  I don’t know any politician that would admit that they didn’t know what to do in front of all their people. The Lord tells him not to worry and to put his worship leaders at the front lines of battle.  They sung out “give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever” (NIV, 2 Chronicles 20:21).  These were the same words sung when they consecrated the temple.  The enemies were thrown into confusion and turned against themselves.  The Moabites and Ammonites killed each other and Judah was saved through their faith.  All they did was one simple thing: worship.  Shifting perspective and power over to the cosmos can be one of the most powerful weapon.

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