Jehoshaphat was alarmed and set his face to seek the LORD. And he proclaimed a fast throughout Judah. Jehoshaphat was alarmedJehoshaphat, the king of Judah, faced a significant threat from a coalition of enemies, including the Moabites, Ammonites, and some Meunites. This alarm reflects a natural human response to danger, highlighting the vulnerability even of a king. Historically, Judah was often caught between larger powers, making it susceptible to invasions. Jehoshaphat's alarm is a reminder of the constant threats faced by the kingdom of Judah during this period. and set his face to seek the LORD.
In response to his fear, Jehoshaphat turned to God, demonstrating his faith and reliance on divine intervention. This phrase indicates a deliberate and determined action, showing Jehoshaphat's commitment to seeking God's guidance and help. The act of seeking the LORD is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, emphasizing the importance of turning to God in times of trouble. It reflects the covenant relationship between God and His people, where seeking God often leads to deliverance and blessing. And he proclaimed a fast throughout Judah.
Fasting in the biblical context is a spiritual discipline used to humble oneself before God, often accompanying prayer and repentance. By proclaiming a fast, Jehoshaphat united the people of Judah in a collective act of humility and dependence on God. This communal fast underscores the seriousness of the situation and the need for divine intervention. Fasting is seen throughout Scripture as a way to seek God's favor, as in the cases of Esther (Esther 4:16) and Nineveh (Jonah 3:5). It also foreshadows the New Testament practice of fasting as a means of spiritual focus and preparation. Persons / Places / Events 1. JehoshaphatThe King of Judah during this time, known for his efforts to follow the ways of the Lord and strengthen the kingdom spiritually and militarily. 2. JudahThe southern kingdom of Israel, consisting of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, over which Jehoshaphat reigned. 3. The FastA spiritual discipline called by Jehoshaphat for the people of Judah to seek divine intervention in the face of an impending threat from a coalition of enemy armies. Teaching Points Responding to Fear with FaithJehoshaphat's initial reaction to fear was to seek the Lord. In times of fear or uncertainty, believers are encouraged to turn to God in prayer and seek His guidance. The Power of Corporate Prayer and FastingBy proclaiming a fast throughout Judah, Jehoshaphat united the people in a collective act of humility and dependence on God. This teaches the importance of community in spiritual disciplines. Leadership in CrisisJehoshaphat's leadership is marked by his spiritual focus. Leaders today can learn from his example by prioritizing spiritual solutions in times of crisis. Seeking God’s FaceThe phrase "set his face to seek the LORD" implies a deliberate and focused pursuit of God. This teaches the importance of intentionality in our spiritual lives. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Jehoshaphat's response to fear in 2 Chronicles 20:3 inspire you to handle your own fears and anxieties? 2. In what ways can fasting and prayer be incorporated into your personal or community spiritual practices today? 3. How does Jehoshaphat's leadership during a crisis compare to other biblical leaders, such as Moses or Nehemiah, and what can we learn from these comparisons? 4. Reflect on a time when you faced a significant challenge. How did seeking God change the outcome or your perspective on the situation? 5. How can the principles of seeking God first, as demonstrated by Jehoshaphat, be applied in your daily decision-making processes? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 34:4This verse speaks of seeking the Lord and being delivered from fears, paralleling Jehoshaphat's response to fear by seeking God. Matthew 6:33Jesus teaches about seeking first the kingdom of God, which aligns with Jehoshaphat's prioritization of seeking the Lord in times of trouble. Joel 2:12This passage calls for a return to God with fasting, weeping, and mourning, similar to the fast proclaimed by Jehoshaphat. 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, ZechariahPlaces Ammon, Edom, Egypt, Engedi, Ezion-geber, Hazazon-tamar, Jeruel, Jerusalem, Mareshah, Moab, Mount Seir, Seir, Tarshish, Tekoa, ZizTopics Afraid, Attention, Directions, Face, Fast, Fear, Feared, Feareth, Inquire, Jehoshaphat, Jehosh'aphat, Judah, Orders, Proclaimed, Proclaimeth, Resolved, Seek, Setteth, ThroughoutDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Chronicles 20:3 8430 fasting, nature of
8636 asking 2 Chronicles 20:1-4 8160 seeking God 2 Chronicles 20:1-17 8648 enquiring of God 2 Chronicles 20:2-4 8431 fasting, reasons 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 ScriptureHolding 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 Links 2 Chronicles 20:3 NIV2 Chronicles 20:3 NLT2 Chronicles 20:3 ESV2 Chronicles 20:3 NASB2 Chronicles 20:3 KJV
2 Chronicles 20:3 Commentaries
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