2 Chronicles 20:17
You need not fight this battle. Take up your positions, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out and face them tomorrow, for the LORD is with you.'"
You need not fight this battle.
This phrase emphasizes divine intervention, highlighting that the battle belongs to the Lord. It reflects the biblical theme of God fighting for His people, as seen in Exodus 14:14, where God tells the Israelites He will fight for them. This assurance is a call to trust in God's power rather than human strength.

Take up your positions,
The instruction to take up positions suggests readiness and obedience. It implies that while God will fight the battle, the people must still prepare and be in the right place. This mirrors the concept of faith and works, where believers are called to be active participants in God's plans.

stand firm,
Standing firm indicates steadfastness and faith. Ephesians 6:13-14 echoes this by urging believers to stand firm in spiritual warfare. It is a call to remain unwavering in faith, trusting in God's promises despite the circumstances.

and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf,
This phrase promises deliverance and victory through divine intervention. It parallels the deliverance of the Israelites at the Red Sea (Exodus 14:13). The salvation of the Lord is a recurring theme, pointing to God's ultimate deliverance through Jesus Christ.

O Judah and Jerusalem.
Addressing Judah and Jerusalem specifically highlights the covenant relationship between God and His chosen people. Jerusalem, as the spiritual center, signifies God's presence among His people. This reflects the importance of the community of believers in God's redemptive plan.

Do not be afraid or discouraged.
This command reassures and encourages, echoing God's words to Joshua (Joshua 1:9). Fear and discouragement are common human responses, but God's presence provides courage and strength. It is a reminder of God's faithfulness and sovereignty.

Go out and face them tomorrow,
The instruction to face the enemy signifies active faith and obedience. It underscores the need to confront challenges with confidence in God's promises. This mirrors the call to live out one's faith boldly, trusting in God's provision and protection.

for the LORD is with you.’”
The assurance of God's presence is central to the biblical narrative, as seen in Immanuel, "God with us" (Matthew 1:23). It is a promise of companionship and support, reinforcing that believers are never alone in their struggles. This presence is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who promises to be with His followers always (Matthew 28:20).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jehoshaphat
The King of Judah who sought the Lord's guidance when faced with a vast enemy army.

2. Judah and Jerusalem
The southern kingdom and its capital, representing God's chosen people who were under threat.

3. The LORD
The God of Israel, who promises deliverance and commands His people to trust in Him.

4. The Enemy Armies
The Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunites who came to wage war against Judah.

5. The Battle
A confrontation where God instructs His people to stand firm and witness His deliverance without fighting.
Teaching Points
Trust in God's Sovereignty
Recognize that God is in control of every situation, and His plans are for our good and His glory.

Stand Firm in Faith
In times of trial, maintain your position in faith, trusting that God will act on your behalf.

Do Not Fear
Fear and discouragement are natural, but God calls us to replace them with faith and courage.

Witness God's Salvation
Be attentive to how God works in your life and the lives of others, providing deliverance and victory.

Active Participation in God's Plan
While God fights our battles, we are called to take our positions and be ready to act in obedience.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Jehoshaphat's response to the threat of invasion demonstrate his faith in God?

2. In what ways can we "take our positions" and "stand firm" in our own spiritual battles today?

3. How does the assurance of God's presence ("the LORD is with you") impact your approach to challenges?

4. What are some practical steps you can take to overcome fear and discouragement in your life?

5. How can the account of God's deliverance in 2 Chronicles 20:17 inspire you to trust Him in seemingly impossible situations?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 14:13-14
Similar to the Red Sea crossing, where Moses tells the Israelites to stand firm and see the salvation of the Lord.

Ephesians 6:13-14
Paul instructs believers to put on the full armor of God and stand firm against spiritual battles.

Psalm 46:10
Encourages believers to be still and know that God is in control, echoing the call to trust in God's deliverance.

Isaiah 41:10
God reassures His people not to fear because He is with them, providing strength and help.

Romans 8:31
Paul reminds believers that if God is for us, who can be against us, reinforcing the theme of divine support.
The Conditions and Certainty of Obtaining God's DeliveranceThomas Lynford, A.M.2 Chronicles 20:17
The Power Behind UsF. B. Meyer.2 Chronicles 20:17
The Prayer of JehoshaphatT. Whitelaw 2 Chronicles 20:5-19
Before the Battle: LessonsW. Clarkson 2 Chronicles 20:14-19
People
Ahaziah, Ammonites, Aram, Asa, Asaph, Azubah, Benaiah, Berachah, Dodavah, Eliezer, Geber, Hanani, Jahaziel, Jehoshaphat, Jehu, Jeiel, Kohathites, Korahites, Korhites, Levites, Maonites, Mattaniah, Meunim, Meunites, Moabites, Seir, Shilhi, Tamar, Tarshish, Zechariah
Places
Ammon, Edom, Egypt, Engedi, Ezion-geber, Hazazon-tamar, Jeruel, Jerusalem, Mareshah, Moab, Mount Seir, Seir, Tarshish, Tekoa, Ziz
Topics
Afraid, Arms, Battle, Behalf, Deliverance, Discouraged, Dismayed, Face, Fear, Fight, Firm, Jerusalem, Judah, Morrow, O, Occasion, Position, Positions, Salvation, Stand, Station, Tomorrow, To-morrow, Troubled, Victory, Yourselves
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Chronicles 20:17

     5184   standing
     8107   assurance, and life of faith
     8220   courage, facing enemies
     8713   discouragement

2 Chronicles 20:1-17

     8648   enquiring of God

2 Chronicles 20:15-17

     8129   guidance, examples
     8724   doubt, dealing with

2 Chronicles 20:15-24

     5607   warfare, examples

Library
A Strange Battle
'We have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon Thee.'--2 CHRON xx. 12. A formidable combination of neighbouring nations, of which Moab and Ammon, the ancestral enemies of Judah, were the chief, was threatening Judah. Jehoshaphat, the king, was panic-stricken when he heard of the heavy war-cloud that was rolling on, ready to burst in thunder on his little kingdom. His first act was to muster the nation, not as a military levy
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Holding Fast and Held Fast
'As they went forth Jehoshaphat stood and said, Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established.'--2 CHRON. xx. 20. Certainly no stronger army ever went forth to victory than these Jews, who poured out of Jerusalem that morning with no weapon in all their ranks, and having for their van, not their picked men, but singers who 'praised the beauty of holiness,' and chanted the old hymn, 'Give thanks unto the Lord, for His mercy endureth for ever.' That was all that men had to do in the battle,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Of the Public Fast.
A public fast is when, by the authority of the magistrate (Jonah iii. 7; 2 Chron. xx. 3; Ezra viii. 21), either the whole church within his dominion, or some special congregation, whom it concerneth, assemble themselves together, to perform the fore-mentioned duties of humiliation; either for the removing of some public calamity threatened or already inflicted upon them, as the sword, invasion, famine, pestilence, or other fearful sickness (1 Sam. vii. 5, 6; Joel ii. 15; 2 Chron. xx.; Jonah iii.
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

The Coast of the Asphaltites, the Essenes. En-Gedi.
"On the western shore" (of the Asphaltites) "dwell the Essenes; whom persons, guilty of any crimes, fly from on every side. A nation it is that lives alone, and of all other nations in the whole world, most to be admired; they are without any woman; all lust banished, &c. Below these, was the town Engadda, the next to Jerusalem for fruitfulness, and groves of palm-trees, now another burying-place. From thence stands Massada, a castle in a rock, and this castle not far from the Asphaltites." Solinus,
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

"Thou Shall Keep Him in Perfect Peace, Whose Mind is Stayed on Thee, Because He Trusteth in Thee. "
Isaiah xxvi. 3.--"Thou shall keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee." Christ hath left us his peace, as the great and comprehensive legacy, "My peace I leave you," John xiv. 27. And this was not peace in the world that he enjoyed; you know what his life was, a continual warfare; but a peace above the world, that passeth understanding. "In the world you shall have trouble, but in me you shall have peace," saith Christ,--a peace that shall make trouble
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

That the Employing Of, and Associating with the Malignant Party, According as is Contained in the Public Resolutions, is Sinful and Unlawful.
That The Employing Of, And Associating With The Malignant Party, According As Is Contained In The Public Resolutions, Is Sinful And Unlawful. If there be in the land a malignant party of power and policy, and the exceptions contained in the Act of Levy do comprehend but few of that party, then there need be no more difficulty to prove, that the present public resolutions and proceedings do import an association and conjunction with a malignant party, than to gather a conclusion from clear premises.
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Commerce
The remarkable change which we have noticed in the views of Jewish authorities, from contempt to almost affectation of manual labour, could certainly not have been arbitrary. But as we fail to discover here any religious motive, we can only account for it on the score of altered political and social circumstances. So long as the people were, at least nominally, independent, and in possession of their own land, constant engagement in a trade would probably mark an inferior social stage, and imply
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Concerning Peaceableness
Blessed are the peacemakers. Matthew 5:9 This is the seventh step of the golden ladder which leads to blessedness. The name of peace is sweet, and the work of peace is a blessed work. Blessed are the peacemakers'. Observe the connection. The Scripture links these two together, pureness of heart and peaceableness of spirit. The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable' (James 3:17). Follow peace and holiness' (Hebrews 12:14). And here Christ joins them together pure in heart, and peacemakers',
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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