Great Battles of the Bible

The Invasion of Judah

By Michael K. Farrar, O.D.

© God’s Breath Publications

 

Having to Fight while you’re doing Right!

 

Jehoshaphat was the fourth king of the separate kingdom of Judah and a dedicated follower of the commandments of God. He attempted to restore commitment to God in the people by striving to remove the places where false gods were worshipped. He sent out officials, priests, and Levites to the cities of Judah to teach the people the laws of God. He tried to remedy the numerous problems in the administration of justice by appointing judges in every city and a supreme council in Jerusalem. It is said of him that he sought the Lord with all his heart and no trace of pride could be found in him. In 2 Chronicles 20 we find an unfolding drama of what happens when bad people try to do bad things to good people.

 

One could say that Jehoshaphat was doing everything possible to obey God and setting a good role model as a leader. Despite these efforts evil men were plotting to do harm to him and his kingdom. The Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunites were gathering to make war against Jehoshaphat. Luckily this righteous king was warned of impending doom and took measures to defend the kingdom that God had placed in his hands. Did he prepare his troops? Did he fortify the walls of the city? Did he conscript soldiers to prepare for battle? No, he did what any godly person would do.

 

The first thing the king did was to seek counsel from his God and call a fast in all of Judah. People came from the entire kingdom to seek advice from God as to what to do. The people gathered before their king expecting what they should do next. Did Jehoshaphat petition God for an answer? Did he cry out in fear for God to save him and his kingdom? Did he complain to God that after all the good he had done in God’s name this was the thanks he got? No, he did what any godly person should.

 

Jehoshaphat praised God with all of his heart. In 2 Chronicles 20:6-9 we find this king of Judah giving honor to his Heavenly Father boasting in how great God is. After giving praise to God, we see in verses 10-12 that Jehoshaphat then presents to his Heavenly Father the problem that faces Judah. He states that honestly they don’t know what to do except seek the Lord for guidance. This humble act of submission to God sets the stage for God to answer.

 

In 2 Chronicles 20:14 the Spirit of God comes upon Jahaziel and he gives a prophecy from the Lord. The instruction given by the Spirit through Jahaziel is that the people of Judah are not to fear for this battle is not theirs but God’s. Then they are given most valuable information about the enemy they face. God reveals His knowledge of the location and path the enemy will take. But God goes further in His instructions. They are not to set up defenses to repel an attack. They are to march out to meet the enemy. But they are told not to engage the enemy, but to take their positions, stand firm and watch God deal with their enemies as only He can. The response we see to God’s words of instruction in verse 18 is a role model for any church fellowship. Jehoshaphat, the king, the leader of God’s people sets the tone for the response to this instruction of the Lord. He bows his face to the ground as an action of humble worship. The people follow suit and fall down in worship of their Heavenly Father. This worship initially is one of humility for they fall down. This could be lying prostrate before God on their faces or possibly kneeling in worship before God. In verse 19 the worship changes to celebration when some of the Levites stand up and shout out praises to God with a loud voice.

 

The next day we find Jehoshaphat giving three important instructions to his people. First, he emphasizes the importance of having faith in God for deliverance. Secondly, he reminds the people to listen to their prophets and trust them for they speak what God has to say. Lastly, he appoints worship leaders to sing praises to God and lead the army out into battle.

 

This had to be a most impressive sight. This small army of Judah was marching into a battle they humanly could not win and they were being led by their worship leaders singing, “Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever.” Little did these servants of the Lord Most High know what their obedient procession had set in motion. As soon as they began singing praises to God, the Lord God Almighty began to take action. He caused confusion amongst the armies of the Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunites. Believe it or not they turn on one another and utterly destroy each other down to the last man.

 

Meanwhile the army of Judah being led by their worshippers finally arrives. I wish I could have seen the expression on their faces as they topped that last hill. Can you imagine how they felt as their hearts pounded with anticipation of how God might deliver them from a superior force? Gathering together and looking down into the valley they do not see a mighty army of death waiting to annihilate them. They see a defeated mass of dead bodies roasting in the hot morning sun. They spent 3 days carrying the plunder away which included war equipment and valuable items. On the fourth day they praise God for His dramatic deliverance from harm in their temple in Jerusalem with a dramatic praise service involving all sorts of instruments.

           

This action by Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah of humble submission, truthful praise and dedicated obedience brought about the intervention of God in a hopeless situation. Not only did it bring about a resolution to the situation for these faithful servants, it brought great honor and glory to God and spread the reputation of what God does for those who worship and obey Him. The surrounding kingdoms began to fear God and Judah was at peace on all sides for many years to come.

 

What can we learn from this historical account? We all face situations in life that appear to be insolvable, impossible and oppressive. I suggest we follow the example of Jehoshaphat.

 

First, we must seek God and praise Him for who He is and for all the great things He has done in our life and in the lives of others in the past. We worship Him first and praise His name. This sets the foundation for being receptive to His instruction and getting a proper perspective on the situation.

 

Next we present Him with our problem or situation. While we know He already knows what is happening, we know He wants us to share in our own words those things with which we are struggling. He requires us to do this for He knows it is therapeutic. He desires us to communicate with Him and listens to every syllable of every word in every sentence we offer up to Him in our pleas for deliverance.

 

Thirdly we must listen. Sometimes this is the hardest part. He will always answer, but in His way and in His timing. Sometimes His instruction will come in the form of a Scripture verse, a fellow Believer or the soft voice of the Holy Spirit.

 

Lastly we must obey what we hear from the Lord. Having a receptive heart, mind and soul to God’s instruction requires we be in fellowship with Him. Fellowship with our Lord comes from living out our faith daily. Bible Study, prayer, ministry and fellowship with other Believers fosters our spiritual growth as well as our relationship with our Heavenly Father. We must seek to have listening ears for the Spirit of God when He speaks.

 

These actions of faith and trust in our Lord will bring about deliverance from whatever situation we face. Our task as servants of the Almighty God is to humbly submit to His will so that all the glory goes to Him, our Lord and Savior.

 

When we respond in this manner to the struggles of life, those around us will marvel not only of our behavior in difficult times, they will also be attracted to the God who intervenes in our lives to bring about deliverance.

 

Psalm 116:1-2

“I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.”