2 CHRONICLES 20 the LORD GIVES VICTORY to JEHOSHAPHAT March 15, 2015 PM Then Jehoshaphat the King of Judah Returned Safely to His House in Jerusalem

2 CHRONICLES 20 THE LORD GIVES VICTORY TO JEHOSHAPHAT March 15, 2015 PM Then Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned safely to his house in Jerusalem. 2 And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to King Jehoshaphat, "Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Therefore the wrath of the LORD is upon you. 3 Nevertheless good things are found in you, in that you have removed the wooden images from the land, and have prepared your heart to seek God." 4 So Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem; and he went out again among the people from Beersheba to the mountains of Ephraim, and brought them back to the LORD God of their fathers. 5 Then he set judges in the land throughout all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city, 6 and said to the judges, "Take heed to what you are doing, for you do not judge for man but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment. 7 Now therefore, let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take care and do it, for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, no partiality, nor taking of bribes." 2 Chronicles 19:1-7 (NKJV)

Jehoshaphat was a good king in Judah…except that he made an alliance with the most evil King Ahab. The Lord God’s grace was on Jehoshaphat so that he survived this bad relationship. Upon his safe return to Jerusalem the prophet Jehu met him and rebuked him for his sinful excursion; but then affirmed him because he had removed the idols from the land. Recount the biblical historical account: • Started great in keeping with his father Asa and David • Started spiritual reforms among the people • The Lord blessed him • He made a huge relational mistake—allied himself by marriage to King Ahab of Israel • Agreed to go into battle with King Ahab against Ramoth Gilead • Consults Ahab’s 400 prophets—“go for it” • Is there a prophet of the Lord?—Yes but he hates me (Ahab) • The Lord’s prophet Micaiah says the same and the Ahab rebukes him for lying • So the king said to him, "How many times shall I make you swear that you tell me nothing but the truth in the name of the LORD?" 2 Chronicles 18:15 (NKJV) • So he tells him the truth and Ahab gets angry and throws him in prison! • They go into battle-Ahab dies, Jehoshaphat survives and returns to Jerusalem • Rebuked by the prophet Jehu Jehoshaphat went out to the people: So Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem; and he went out again among the people from Beersheba to the mountains of Ephraim, and brought them back to the LORD God of their fathers. 2 Chronicles 19:4 (NKJV) • With that he instituted reform, returning the people back to worship of the Lord God • 2 Chronicles 20 begins with the account of a group of nations coming to attack Judah—Moab and Ammon. • Jehoshaphat prays passionately to the Lord before the people of Jerusalem and Judah—He leads them in prayer to the Lord • After Jehoshaphat’s prayer the prophet Jahaziel prophecies and gives the Lord’s answer: Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly. 15 And he said, "Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the LORD to you: 'Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's. 16 Tomorrow go down against them. They will surely come up by the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the brook before the Wilderness of Jeruel. 17 You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!' Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the LORD is with you." 18 And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem bowed before the LORD, worshiping the LORD. 2 Chronicles 20:14-18 (NKJV) • The people rejoiced and praised the Lord for the answer And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem bowed before the LORD, worshiping the LORD. 19 Then the Levites of the children of the Kohathites and of the children of the Korahites stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with voices loud and high. 2 Chronicles 20:18-19 (NKJV) • Jehoshaphat encouraged the people So they rose early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the LORD your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper." 2 Chronicles 20:20 (NKJV) • He then puts the worship leaders out front and they led the army singing “Praise the Lord for His mercy endures forever.” • The army of Ammon and Moab defeated by the Lord 22-23 Some think that this was done by angels in human form, whose sudden appearance diffused an uncontrollable panic. Others entertain the more probable opinion that, in the camp of this vast horde, composed of different tribes, jealousies and animosities had sprung up, which led to widespread dissensions and fierce feuds, in which they drew the sword against each other. The consequence was, that as the mutual strife commenced when the Hebrew procession set out from Jerusalem, the work of destruction was completed before Jehoshaphat and his people arrived at the battlefield. Thus easy is it for God to make the wrath of man to praise Him, to confound the counsels of His enemies and employ their own passions in defeating the machinations they have devised for the overthrow of His Church and people. 1 THERE ARE NO GREAT PEOPLE, ONLY A GREAT GOD Noah was great by association with Jehovah Abraham was great by association with Jehovah Joseph was great by association Ruth and Boaz were great by association Rahab was great by association with Jehovah Moses was great by association Samuel, David, Elijah, Elisha Esther was great by association ALL BELIEVERS WILL EXPERIENCE FAITH FAILURE POINTS WHAT LEADS TO FAITH FAILURE? TRUSTING ANYTHING OR ANYONE OTHER THAN THE LORD GOD FAITH IS THE TRUST, CONFIDENT, OBEDIENT SURRENDER TO THE LORD GOD—it is faith in God and His revealed will that connects us to Him TRUST + OBEDIENCE = FAITH THE COMEBACK FROM A FAITH FAILURE IS TO GET BACK ON THE TRUST TRACK THERE ARE NO LIMITATIONS ON THE DISPLAY OF THE LORD GOD’S GREATNESS Abraham and Sarah—an impossible situation Mary—unmarried virgin—an impossible situation No age limitations Little boy with a few fish and loaves of bread—5,000 fed Struggles—Paul in: And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me . 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NKJV) PEOPLE ON THE TRUST TRACK FOLLOW THE LORD GOD AND EXPERIENCE HIS GREATNESS PEOPLE ON THE FAITH TRUST TRACK BECOME NOT ONLY DELIVERED BUT DELIVERERS

1 A Commentary: Critical, Experimental, and Practical on the Old and New Testaments.