Bible Reading
2 Chronicles 20:1-30After this the Moabites and Ammonites, and with them some of the Meunites, came against Jehoshaphat for battle. Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, “A great multitude is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the sea; and, behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar” (that is, Engedi). Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah assembled to seek help from the LORD; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD.
[07:35]And Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court, and said, “O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you. Did you not, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? And they have lived in it and have built for you in it a sanctuary for your name, saying, ‘If disaster comes upon us, the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before you—for your name is in this house—and cry out to you in our affliction, and you will hear and save.’”
[09:09]“And now behold, the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom you would not let Israel invade when they came from the land of Egypt, and whom they avoided and did not destroy—behold, they reward us by coming to drive us out of your possession, which you have given us to inherit. O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”
[10:07]Meanwhile all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children. And the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly. And he said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the LORD to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s. Tomorrow go down against them. Behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz. You will find them at the end of the valley, east of the wilderness of Jeruel. You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the LORD will be with you.”
[27:03]Then Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the LORD, worshiping the LORD. And the Levites, of the Kohathites and the Korahites, stood up to praise the LORD, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.
[28:10]And they rose early in the morning and went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. And when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem! Believe in the LORD your God, and you will be established; believe his prophets, and you will succeed.” And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the LORD and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say, “Give thanks to the LORD, for his steadfast love endures forever.”
[29:35]And when they began to sing and praise, the LORD set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed. For the men of Ammon and Moab rose against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, devoting them to destruction, and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, they all helped to destroy one another. When Judah came to the watchtower of the wilderness, they looked toward the horde, and behold, there were dead bodies lying on the ground; none had escaped.
[29:57]When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take their spoil, they found among them, in great numbers, goods, clothing, and precious things, which they took for themselves until they could carry no more. They were three days in taking the spoil, it was so much. On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Beracah, for there they blessed the LORD. Therefore the name of that place has been called the Valley of Beracah to this day. Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat at their head, returning to Jerusalem with joy, for the LORD had made them rejoice over their enemies. They came to Jerusalem with harps and lyres and trumpets, to the house of the LORD.
[30:09]Hebrews 11:6And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
[01:56]Habakkuk 2:4Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.
[01:44]2 Chronicles 7:14If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
[20:28]Observation questions
- What was Jehoshaphat’s first response after he heard that a great army was coming against Judah, and how did the rest of Judah respond?
- What specific things did Jehoshaphat mention about God before he explained Judah’s problem in his prayer? [11:11]
- What honest statements did Jehoshaphat make about Judah’s ability and plan in verse 12?
- What did Judah do before going out toward the enemy, and who was placed at the front of the army? [28:10]
Interpretation questions
- Jehoshaphat was afraid, yet he set his face to seek the LORD. What does this show about the difference between having fear and being ruled by fear?
- Jehoshaphat remembered God’s past faithfulness before asking for present help. How can remembering God’s character and past work change the way a believer faces a current crisis? [13:26]
- God told Judah, “The battle is not yours but God’s,” but still told them to go out, stand firm, and hold their position. What does faithful action look like when the outcome belongs to God?
- Judah worshiped before the enemy was defeated. Why is worship a meaningful response when circumstances have not yet changed? [30:22]
Application questions
- What situation in your life currently feels too big for your own strength—an uncertainty, relationship, need, temptation, or decision? How could you pray Jehoshaphat’s words this week: “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you”? [10:33]
- Think back to a “lion or bear” moment—a past challenge where God sustained, guided, provided for, or changed you. How might that memory help you trust God with the “giant” in front of you now? [13:42]
- Self-reliance can quietly keep a person in the driver’s seat. Where are you most tempted to control the outcome instead of bringing your need honestly to God? What would yielding that area to Him look like in one specific step this week? [22:51]
- God invites His people to humble themselves, pray, and seek His face. Is there a need you have been minimizing, hiding, or trying to handle alone? Who in this group or in your church community could pray and possibly fast with you about it? [24:31]
- Judah gathered with their little ones, wives, and children to seek the LORD. How can you become more present in Christian community when life is difficult instead of pulling away from others? [27:03]
- Praise declares that God is worthy before the victory is visible. What is one truth about God—His steadfast love, power, mercy, faithfulness, or presence—that you can intentionally thank Him for this week, even while you are still waiting for an answer? [29:35]
