We all are familiar with the (biblical) saying “time for
peace and a time for war”. As of late
we have been hearing of wars and rumors of wars. However, the present war that we are in, the
terrorism war, has really never been fought before, and at the same time we
hear “peace, peace when there is no peace.
What is all this confusion about?
Is this happening for the purpose of bringing together some one-world
system? Is it so that Islam will become
the only legitimate religion in the world?
Is it to restore and bring back the tribes of Israel to their homeland? Or is the Creator judging iniquity and sin?
Whatever the reason might be, we who have been taken out of this world’s system
and order, and have been transferred into the kingdom of YHVH
With this in mind, let us take a look at how one of the
kings of Judah
faced his nation’s war-woes. It was
during the reign of King Jehoshaphat that some of the surrounding nations,
Ammon, Moab, Syria and Mount Seir (Esau) were gathered together as “a great
assembly” (2 Chron. 20:2) to destroy Judah/Israel. When Jehoshaphat first heard the news of this
mighty army he “feared”. Is inflicting
fear not the motivation of the terrorist packs nowadays? We can see just how sinister this spirit is,
as was illustrated this week in a mall in Kenya . None of the victims were
wearing military uniforms. With this
kind of demonic mayhem, is it any wonder that the nations are spending more on
protecting themselves from these religious fanatics than on any other military
objective?
What did Jehoshaphat do
when he faced the same threat of annihilation from his neighbors? Scripture records that he”set ‘natan pa’neem’ himself to seek ‘drash’ YHVH”.
“Natan pa’neem” means to give oneself,
set or put oneself in a position before the face of YHVH in order to “drash”,
to inquire advice of YHVH (ref. 2 Ch.
20:3-4). Then he proclaimed a fast
throughout Judea . The Judeans gathered from many places to
seek - “baqesh” - or simply ask for
divine protection. Notice the difference
between what the king did in turning to God, and the people. As a leader, he set himself before the face
of YHVH and inquired for YHVH’s counsel and wisdom. But before he begins to make his requests, he
acknowledges the Elohim whom he is addressing.
He then reminds YHVH, by way of questions, as to who He is:
“YHVH, Elohim of our fathers, are You not Elohim in the heavens? And do You not
rule over all the kingdoms of the heathen? And in Your hand is there not power
and might, so that none is able to withstand You? Art You not our Elohim, who
did drive out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel , and
gave it to the seed of Abraham Your friend for ever?” (2 Chr 20:6-7). Why did the
king address YHVH in this way? Was he
himself in doubt as to who He was and what He could do? Did the Almighty need someone to remind Him
of His position and duties? In the
following statement we can see what Jehoshaphat was driving at. Those questions came from one who knew and
feared (revered) the Elohim of Abraham, and knew that what He was and what He
did was all for one purpose, to glorify His name: “And they dwelt
therein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for Your name sake” (v. 8).
The
king understood that if YHVH were going to move to deliver him and His people,
it would not be because of their worthiness or their righteousness, as the mere
fact that those nations were ‘knocking at their door’ meant that YHVH was not
pleased with Judah .
Listen to the following statements of the king: “If, when evil comes upon us, as the sword,
judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy
presence, (for Your name is in this house,) and cry unto You in our affliction,
then You will hear and help” (v. 9).
This is the prayer of a very wise man, who knew how to get the Elohim of
the heavens to respond to his plight and the fears of the people. This confession, and the following
conclusion, demonstrated humility and complete dependence on YHVH’s
sovereignty, not only over Judah, but also over those kingdoms of the enemies
that were about to attack the nation (see v.6).
Here
is Jehoshaphat’s concluding prayer “O
our Elohim, will You not judge them? For we have no might against this great
company that comes against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are
upon You” (v. 12). The king, along
with the men, women and children were not looking at their own chariots and
horses, at their strong men with their bows, arrows and spears, neither for the
shrewdness of their politicians and generals.
Their eyes were upon YHVH Elohim alone; He was their only Savior and
Deliverer. It was only then that the
Spirit came to a priest/prophet and delivered YHVH’s response to their
supplication, consecration and prayer.
Jahaziel
(“God will cause to see”) came to deliver the message: “Be not afraid nor
dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but
Elohim's.
Tomorrow
go down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and you shall
find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel. You shall
not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand still, and see the
salvation of YHVH with you” (v.15-17).
What wonderful words! Now they knew exactly where the enemy will be the
following day, and what they (Judah) were to do. But even better news were encapsulated by the
statement: “the battle is not yours, but the Almighty’s”.
This,
however, is not the end. Even though they had this wonderful word from YHVH
they still had to go to bed that night and wake up to a very unpredictable
future. They had to face their enemy,
which is something we too must do. As believers, our enemies are principalities
and powers in heavenly places; they come to us in the form of evil thoughts and
intentions. At that time the only thing the Judeans had to stand and act upon
was YHVH’s word. So too today - we must face our enemy with faith and trust in
the truth of YHVH’s word.
The
following day, the king, knowing the doubts and fears of his people, encouraged
them with these words: “Believe in
YHVH your Elohim, so shall you be established; believe his prophets, so shall
you prosper” (20). The Hebrew word
for “established” is “te’am’nu” - of the
root a.m.n, which is “to believe”. Thus Jehoshapat addressed the nation with a
play on words: “ha’aminu, ve-te’amnu”: “Believe and be established, confirmed,
strong” and in particular “become credible”. In other words, by believing,
trusting, giving credit to and having faith in YHVH, they themselves were
becoming not only strong and established, but also “credible”.
“Praise
YHVH; for his mercy endures for ever” (V.21).
Ephraim
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