2 Crônicas 13
David Guzik · Citado em PreceptAustin
2 Crônicas 13
Guzik: This promise God made to David was called a covenant of salt, which meant a serious covenant because it was sealed by sacrifice (sacrifices always included salt, Leviticus 2:13). A covenant of salt also had the following associations: A pure covenant (salt stays pure as a chemical compound). An enduring covenant (salt makes things preserve and endure). A valuable covenant (salt was expensive). BORROW Trumbull's book The covenant of salt as based on the significance and symbolism of salt in primitive thought COVENANT OF SALT [ISBE] - solt (berith melach; halas, classical Greek hals): As salt was regarded as a necessary ingredient of the daily food, and so of all sacrifices offered to Yahweh (Lev 2:13), it became an easy step to the very close connection between salt and covenant-making. When men ate together they became friends. Compare the Arabic expression, "There is salt between us"; "He has eaten of my salt," which means partaking of hospitality which cemented friendship; compare "eat the salt of the palace" (Ezr 4:14). Covenants were generally confirmed by sacrificial meals and salt was always present. Since, too, salt is a preservative, it would easily become symbolic of an enduring covenant. So offerings to Yahweh were to be by a statute forever, "a covenant of salt for ever before Yahweh" (Nu 18:19). David received his kingdom forever from Yahweh by a "covenant of salt" (2 Ch 13:5). In the light of these conceptions the remark of our Lord becomes the more significant: "Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace one with another" (Mk 9:50). Edward Bagby Pollard COVENANT OF SALT (Heb. brı̂t melaḥ). Covenanting parties were accustomed to partake of salt, thus making a covenant of salt (Num. 18:19; 2 Chron. 13:5), i.e., one that was inviolably sure. The meaning appears to have been that the salt, with its power to strengthen food and keep it from decay, symbolized the unbending truthfulness of that self-surrender to the Lord embodied in the sacrifice, by which all impurity and hypocrisy were repelled. BIBLIOGRAPHY: BORROW H. C. Trumbull, The covenant of salt 1899); BORROW J. E. Latham, The Religious Symbolism of Salt (1982). (BORROW The new Unger's Bible dictionary) QUESTION - What is a salt covenant? ANSWER - There is more to salt than meets the taste buds. Salt has been used in many cultures as a valuable commodity. The word salary comes from an ancient word meaning “salt-money,” referring to a Roman soldier’s allowance for the purchase of salt. Someone who earns his pay is still said to be “worth his salt.” Salt has also been used to express promises and friendship between people. It was even considered by the Greeks to be divine. Today in many Arab cultures, if two men partake of salt together they are sworn to protect one another—even if they had previously been enemies. In some cultures, people throw salt over their shoulders when they make a promise. Who knew sodium chloride was so important? In the ancient world, ingesting salt was a way to make an agreement legally binding. If two parties entered into an agreement, they would eat salt together in the presence of witnesses, and that act would bind their contract. King Abijah’s speech in 2 Chronicles 13:5 mentions just such a salt covenant: “Don’t you know that the LORD, the God of Israel, has given the kingship of Israel to David and his descendants forever by a covenant of salt?” Here, Abijah refers to the strong, legally binding promise of God to give Israel to David and his sons forever. The Old Testament Law commands the use of salt in all grain offerings and makes clear that the “salt of the covenant” should not be missing from the grain offerings (Leviticus 2:13). Since the Levitical priests did not have land of their own, God promised to provide for them via the sacrifices of the people, and He called this promise of provision a “salt covenant” (Numbers 18:19). Salt has always been known for its preservative properties, and it is also possible that God instructed the use of salt so that the meat would last longer and taste better—and thus be of more value to the priests who depended upon it for their daily food. The idea of a salt covenant carries a great deal of meaning because of the value of salt. Today, salt is easy to come by in our culture, and we don’t necessarily need it as a preservative because of refrigeration. But to the people of Jesus’ day, salt was an important and precious commodity. So, when Jesus told His disciples that they were “the salt of the earth,” He meant that believers have value in this world and are to have a preserving influence (Matthew 5:13). The salt covenant is never explicitly defined in the Bible, but we can infer from the understanding of salt’s value and the contexts in which a salt covenant is mentioned that it has much to do with the keeping of promises and with God’s good will toward man. GotQuestions.org 2 Chronicles 13:6 “Yet Jeroboam the son of Nebat, the servant of Solomon the son of David, rose up and rebelled against his master, rebelled: 2Ch 10:19 1Ki 11:26 12:20,27 Related Passage: 1 Kings 11:26+ "Then Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephraimite of Zeredah, Solomon’s servant, whose mother’s name was Zeruah, a widow, also rebelled against the king." JEROBOAM'S REBELLION Yet Jeroboam the son of Nebat, the servant of Solomon the son of David, rose up and rebelled against his master - Abijah correctly points out that Jeroboam rebelled but leaves out the critical fact that this was sovereignly orchestrated by God (1Ki 11:26-40+). Raymond Dillard: 2Ch 13:4-12 -- The speech of Abijah has two foci: the legitimacy of the Davidic dynasty and the legitimacy of the Jerusalem cult. The kingdom of David is in reality the kingdom of Yahweh; Jeroboam is a rebel surrounded by worthless scoundrels. The cultic personnel and apparatus of the South are divinely ordained, while those of the North serve “no-gods.” (BORROW 2 Chronicles) NEBAT [ISBE] - ne'-bat (nebhaT): Father of Jeroboam I (1 Ki 11:26, and frequently elsewhere). The name occurs only in the phrase "Jeroboam the son of Nebat," and is evidently intended to distinguish Jeroboam I from the later son of Joash. 2 Chronicles 13:7 and worthless men gathered about him, scoundrels, who proved too strong for Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, when he was young and timid and could not hold his own against them. NET 2 Chronicles 13:7 Lawless good-for-nothing men gathered around him and conspired against Rehoboam son of Solomon, when Rehoboam was an inexperienced young man and could not resist them. CSB 2 Chronicles 13:7 Then worthless and wicked men gathered around him to resist Rehoboam son of Solomon when Rehoboam was young, inexperienced, and unable to assert himself against them. ESV 2 Chronicles 13:7 and certain worthless scoundrels gathered about him and defied Rehoboam the son of Solomon, when Rehoboam was young and irresolute and could not withstand them. NIV 2 Chronicles 13:7 Some worthless scoundrels gathered around him and opposed Rehoboam son of Solomon when he was young and indecisive and not strong enough to resist them. NLT 2 Chronicles 13:7 Then a whole gang of scoundrels joined him, defying Solomon's son Rehoboam when he was young and inexperienced and could not stand up to them. NRS 2 Chronicles 13:7 and certain worthless scoundrels gathered around him and defied Rehoboam son of Solomon, when Rehoboam was young and irresolute and could not withstand them. NJB 2 Chronicles 13:7 Worthless men, scoundrels, rallied to him, proving too strong for Rehoboam son of Solomon, as Rehoboam was then inexperienced and timid and unable to resist them. NAB 2 Chronicles 13:7 Worthless men, scoundrels, joined him and overcame Rehoboam, son of Solomon, when Rehoboam was young and unthinking, and no match for them. YLT 2 Chronicles 13:7 'And there are gathered unto him vain men, sons of worthlessness, and they strengthen themselves against Rehoboam son of Solomon, and Rehoboam was a youth, and tender of heart, and hath not strengthened himself against them. and worthless men: Judges 9:4 11:3 1Sa 22:2 Job 30:8 Ps 26:4 Pr 12:11 28:19 Ac 17:5 Tit 1:10 : De 13:13 1Ki 21:10,13 young: 2Ch 10:16 12:13 Ec 10:16 Isa 3:4 1Co 14:20 Heb 5:12 could not: 2Ch 11:1-4 And worthless men gathered about him, scoundrels, who proved too strong for Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, when he was young and timid and could not hold his own against them - NET = "lawless good-for-nothing men" Who is him? Most think this refers to Jeroboam. Scoundrels is "ben beliyaal" = "sons of Belial" (Belial) often rendered as "worthless" (cf Dt 13:13 Jdg 19:22 20:13 1Sa 2:12 10:27 25:17 1Ki 21:10 21:13 2Ch 13:7) Iain Duguid: The identity of the king around whom the “scoundrels gathered” (2 Chron. 13:7) is unclear. Most commentators see the men as accompanying Jeroboam. Josephus Antiquities 8.277, however, understood the statement as referring to the young men who gathered around Rehoboam and “prevailed over, persuaded” (rather than “defied”) him (cf. 2Ch 10:10; this interpretation fits normal Hebrew patterns in which “him” would be the last person mentioned—Jeroboam’s “lord,” Rehoboam). (See ESV Expository Commentary: 1 Samuel–2 Chronicles) August Konkel sees the worthless men not as belonging to Jeroboam's forces but those who persuaded Rehoboam to make a foolish decision - The sons of Belial (scoundrels) that prevailed over Rehoboam can be none other (ED: THIS IS A BIT DOGMATIC - NOT EVERYONE AGREE WITH THIS INTERPRETATION) than the rash young advisers who demanded more conscripted labor from the north. (See 1 & 2 Chronicles; see Multipart Video Series on 1-2 Chronicles) 2 Chronicles 13:8 “So now you intend to resist the kingdom of the LORD through the sons of David, being a great multitude and having with you the golden calves which Jeroboam made for gods for you. NET 2 Chronicles 13:8 Now you are declaring that you will resist the LORD's rule through the Davidic dynasty. You have a huge army, and bring with you the gold calves that Jeroboam made for you as gods. CSB 2 Chronicles 13:8 "And now you are saying you can assert yourselves against the LORD's kingdom, which is in the hand of one of David's sons. You are a vast number and have with you the golden calves that Jeroboam made for you as gods. ESV 2 Chronicles 13:8 "And now you think to withstand the kingdom of the LORD in the hand of the sons of David, because you are a great multitude and have with you the golden calves that Jeroboam made you for gods. NIV 2 Chronicles 13:8 "And now you plan to resist the kingdom of the LORD, which is in the hands of David's descendants. You are indeed a vast army and have with you the golden calves that Jeroboam made to be your gods. NLT 2 Chronicles 13:8 "Do you really think you can stand against the kingdom of the LORD that is led by the descendants of David? You may have a vast army, and you have those gold calves that Jeroboam made as your gods. the kingdom: 2Ch 9:8 Ps 2:1-6 Isa 7:6,7 9:6,7 Lu 19:14,27 a great multitude: 2Ch 14:9-11 20:6,12 Ps 33:16 with you golden: 2Ch 11:15 1Ki 12:28 14:9 Ho 8:5,6 HAVE IDOLS WILL TRAVEL So now you intend to resist the kingdom of the LORD through the sons of David, being a great multitude - A rhetorical question. The kingdom of the LORD refers to the southern kingdom. Through the sons of David is an allusion to the immutable Davidic Covenant. By this Abijah implies (and rightly so) that Yahweh is on his side. If Jeroboam's ambush with twice as many men had been allowed to succeed, it is quite possible that the Davidic line (of whom Abijah is one - Mt 1:7), would have been annihilated. And of course God would not allow that to occur. So the subsequent actions of Yahweh in smiting Jeroboam's forces has more to do with God's covenant and His promise to keep it than it has to do with Judah deserving His intervention. For after all, Judah's leader Abijah was not wholly devoted to Yahweh and "walked in all the sins of his father." (1Ki 15:3+) His sins included idolatry and perverted worship (see 1Ki 14:22-24+), which make his denouncement of Jeroboam's similar false worship somewhat hypocritical. And having with you the golden calves which Jeroboam made for gods for you - NET = "You have a huge army, and bring with you the gold calves that Jeroboam made for you as gods." Presumably Jeroboam brought the calf idols to the battle. One is reminded of the superstition of Israel in 1Sa 4:4-5+ that the literal presence of the Ark of the Covenant, like a "divine talisman" would guarantee them victory over the Philistines! Raymond Dillard: 2Ch 13:8-9 -- For the Chronicler the kingdom of David was the kingdom of God; that kingdom was forever to be in the hands of David’s descendants. For the post-exilic audience to which he wrote, an audience living without a Davidic king, this speech must have expressed their hopes and aspirations. The speech argues from the two foci of legitimate king and legitimate cult; in the Chronicler’s own day legitimate cult was a reality with the second temple, and aspirations for political freedom fired hopes for the reestablishment of the Davidic dynasty. Israel as the kingdom of Yahweh is one of the Chronicler’s favorite themes (1 Chr 17:14; 28:5; 29:11, 23; 2 Chr 9:8). (BORROW 2 Chronicles) Aibjah is saying in effect that Jeroboam was basing on faulty reasoning. Abijah is saying in his speech that Jeroboam was trying to resist the Kingdom of the LORD, was trusting in his superior numbers and was trusting the power of his manmade gods (2Ch 13:9). 2 Chronicles 13:9 “Have you not driven out the priests of the LORD, the sons of Aaron and the Levites, and made for yourselves priests like the peoples of other lands? Whoever comes to consecrate himself with a young bull and seven rams, even he may become a priest of what are no gods. driven out: 2Ch 11:14-15 made you priests: 1Ki 12:31-33 13:33 consecrate himself: Ex 32:29 Lev 16:32 1Ch 29:5 young bull: Ex 29:1,35 Lev 8:2 no gods: De 32:17 2Ki 19:18 Jer 2:11 Ho 8:6 Ac 19:26 Ga 4:8 Related Passages: 2 Chronicles 11:14-15 For the Levites left their pasture lands and their property and came to Judah and Jerusalem, for Jeroboam and his sons had excluded them from serving as priests to the LORD. 15 He set up priests of his own for the high places, for the satyrs and for the calves which he had made. 1 Kings 12:31-33+ And he (JEROBOAM) made houses on high places, and made priests from among all the people who were not of the sons of Levi. 32 Jeroboam instituted a feast in the eighth month on the fifteenth day of the month, like the feast which is in Judah, and he went up to the altar; thus he did in Bethel, sacrificing to the calves which he had made. And he stationed in Bethel the priests of the high places which he had made. 33 Then he went up to the altar which he had made in Bethel on the fifteenth day in the eighth month, even in the month which he had devised in his own heart; and he instituted a feast for the sons of Israel and went up to the altar to burn incense. REHOBOAM'S ACCUSATIONS OF PRIESTLY "HIRELINGS" Have you not driven out the priests of the LORD, the sons of Aaron and the Levites, and made for yourselves priests like the peoples of other lands? Abijah's rhetorical question clearly calls for an affirmative reply. Whoever comes to consecrate himself with a young bull and seven rams, even he may become a priest of what are no gods - The priestly vacuum was filled with fake priests so Abijah condemns Jeroboam's perversion of these non-Levitical priests. There is a ring of hypocrisy in the statement because Abijah was following the idolatry of his father (1Ki 14:23). 2 Chronicles 13:10 “But as for us, the LORD is our God, and we have not forsaken Him; and the sons of Aaron are ministering to the LORD as priests, and the Levites attend to their work. the LORD is our God 2Ch 11:16,17 Ex 19:5,6 Zec 13:9 priests: Ex 29:1-37 Nu 16:40 18:1-7 ABIJAH CLAIMS THEY REMAINED LOYAL TO YAHWEH But as for us, the LORD is our God, and we have not forsaken Him - This is true in the sense that the Temple is still the place of worship in Judah. While it may have been true when he said we have not forsaken Him, as discussed below, we know that at some point Abijah did follow in the evil of his father Rehoboam (see 1Ki 14:22-24+). And the sons of Aaron are ministering to the LORD as priests, and the Levites attend to their work- Levitical priests were present to allow proper worship. Abijah's theology is good. Whether he practiced what he preached is open to some question. The declarations of orthodoxy in 2Ch 13:10-11 are somewhat confusing in light of the fact that in Abijah's short 3 year reign he is said to have followed in the footsteps of "ALL the sins of his father" (1Ki 15:3+), sins which included idol worship and perverted, sensual worship (1Ki 14:22-24+)! I suppose Abijah's declaration of national commitment to orthodoxy could describe the time when he began to walk in the sins of his father Rehoboam. I agree with J Barton Payne's comments - While at this point Abijah’s affirmation “The LORD is our God” rings with sincerity, a longer view of his history requires some modification in evaluation; for “he committed all the sins his father had done before him” (1 Kings 15:3+, witness his polygamy, described in 2Ch 13:21, and see Ezra’s earlier evaluation of his father, Rehoboam, in 2Ch 12:1+). Also noteworthy is the fact that the prophets of the North and South had sanctioned the division. So Abijah used religious arguments for his own political ends. Yet since the North had acted in unbelief and apostasy his words carried some conviction. (Bolding added)(See The Expositor's Bible Commentary - Abridged Edition - Page 50) 2 Chronicles 13:11 “Every morning and evening they burn to the LORD burnt offerings and fragrant incense, and the showbread is set on the clean table, and the golden lampstand with its lamps is ready to light every evening; for we keep the charge of the LORD our God, but you have forsaken Him. they burn: 2Ch 2:4 Ex 29:38 incense: Ex 30:1-10 Lev 2:1-3 Nu 16:6,46 Lu 1:9 Rev 8:3,4 showbread: Ex 25:30 Lev 24:5-9 the candlestick: Ex 25:31-39 27:20,21 Lev 24:2-4 we keep: Ge 26:5 Nu 9:19 Eze 44:8,15 48:11 ABIJAH CLAIMS ORTHODOXY Every morning and evening they burn to the LORD burnt offerings and fragrant incense, and the showbread is set on the clean table, and the golden lampstand with its lamps is ready to light every evening; for we keep the charge of the LORD our God - This is a wonderful orthodox description, but as discussed elsewhere clearly Abijah detoured from this at some point in his 3 year reign. Again Abijah has good theology, but questionable orthopraxy. but you have forsaken ('azab ;Lxx - egkataleipo) Him - Earlier Abijah claimed they had not forsaken Yahweh and now he correctly asserts that Jeroboam has forsaken Him. 2 Chronicles 13:12 “Now behold, God is with us at our head and His priests with the signal trumpets to sound the alarm against you. O sons of Israel, do not fight against the LORD God of your fathers, for you will not succeed.” NET 2 Chronicles 13:12 Now look, God is with us as our leader. His priests are ready to blow the trumpets to signal the attack against you. You Israelites, don't fight against the LORD God of your ancestors, for you will not win!" CSB 2 Chronicles 13:12 Look, God and His priests are with us at our head. The trumpets are ready to sound the charge against you. Israelites, don't fight against the LORD God of your ancestors, for you will not succeed." ESV 2 Chronicles 13:12 Behold, God is with us at our head, and his priests with their battle trumpets to sound the call to battle against you. O sons of Israel, do not fight against the LORD, the God of your fathers, for you cannot succeed." NIV 2 Chronicles 13:12 God is with us; he is our leader. His priests with their trumpets will sound the battle cry against you. Men of Israel, do not fight against the LORD, the God of your fathers, for you will not succeed." NLT 2 Chronicles 13:12 So you see, God is with us. He is our leader. His priests blow their trumpets and lead us into battle against you. O people of Israel, do not fight against the LORD, the God of your ancestors, for you will not succeed!" NRS 2 Chronicles 13:12 See, God is with us at our head, and his priests have their battle trumpets to sound the call to battle against you. O Israelites, do not fight against the LORD, the God of your ancestors; for you cannot succeed." God: Nu 23:21 1Sa 4:5-7 Isa 8:10 Zec 10:5 Ro 8:31 our head: De 20:4 Jos 5:13-15 Ps 20:7 Heb 2:10 his priests: Nu 10:8,9 Nu 31:6 Jos 6:13-20 fight: Job 15:25,26 40:9 Isa 45:9 Jer 50:24 Ac 5:39 9:4,5 not: 2Ch 24:20 Nu 14:41 De 28:29 Job 9:4 Isa 54:17 Jer 2:37 Eze 17:9 FINAL WARNING YOU ARE FIGHTING GOD! Now - Based on the theology lesson, Abijah comes to a confident conclusion which includes a dire warning. Behold, (PAY ATTENTION JEROBOAM!) God is with us at our Head (Leader) and His priests with the signal trumpets to sound the alarm against you (cf Nu 10:9+). O sons of Israel, do not fight against the LORD God of your fathers, for you will not succeed - Is this a prophecy? In any event the subsequent course would prove Abijah was correct that Jeroboam will not succeed. As I stated above, Abijah was destined to be in the line of the Messiah and God would not allow the Davidic Covenant to come to an end on the battlefield, but would see that his life was preserved (whether he deserved it or not - that's God's covenant lovingkindness!). Matthew 1:7+ says "Solomon was the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asa." Iain Duguid: Thus the final appeal to the “sons of Israel” to cease their rebellion speaks of the Lord as the “God of your fathers.” They may have rebelled, but they are still part of “Israel,” over whom God had placed “sons of David” to rule and whose worship was centered in the temple, with the Aaronic priesthood assisted by other Levites. Returning to the Lord, whom “your fathers” worshiped, is the only way to “succeed.” (ED: This is an interesting comment, but again we have to keep in mind that Abijah himself would rebel against the Lord.) (See ESV Expository Commentary: 1 Samuel–2 Chronicles) Robert Morgan (BORROW From This Verse) - Much More February 20 In 1865, when Hudson Taylor founded the China Inland Mission (now Overseas Missionary Fellowship), he determined to depend on God alone for the needed finances. From that day no direct solicitation of funds has occurred, yet the Mission’s needs have been continuously met from unexpected sources at critical times, in answer to prayer. Several years ago, Phyllis Thompson chronicled many stories of God’s faithfulness to CIM in her little book, Proving God. “Through the ninety and more years of its history,” she wrote, “although no public or private appeal for funds has ever been authorized, its work and workers have been sustained by an unfailing supply.” For example, Thompson recalls that in December, 1954, when funds were especially low, Mission personnel heard of a gift coming their way from a wealthy American lady. Nobody at CIM remembered having met the lady, but she had sometimes sent small donations to the Mission’s London office. Now she had apparently included CIM in her will to the tune of $5,500. As it turned out, however, the money was not for the China Inland Mission. It went instead to a Bible school organized by Chinese in the Far East. While the CIM personnel were glad for their Chinese brothers, they naturally felt a bit disappointed. But their attention was soon drawn to 2 Chronicles 25:9, and they claimed the verse as their own: “The Lord is able to give you much more than this.” Within days another communication came from the woman’s estate. She had indeed remembered the mission, but not for $5,500. The amount being sent was $75,000, with an additional $60,000 coming later! Mission directors met for prayer with overflowing and humbled hearts. They sang the Doxology and thanked the Lord for his goodness in sending them “much more than this.” 2 Chronicles 13:13 But Jeroboam had set an ambush to come from the rear, so that Israel was in front of Judah and the ambush was behind them. ambush: 2Ch 20:22 Jos 8:4 Pr 21:30 Jer 4:22 JEROBOAM REFUSES TO LISTEN TO ABIJAH But - Term of contrast. Jeroboam's refuses to listen to Abijah and return to the Lord. Jeroboam had set an ambush to come from the rear, so that Israel was in front of Judah and the ambush was behind them. Andrew Hill: The battle report is presented in four stages: - Jeroboam’s tactic of an ambush (2Ch 13:13–14a), - Judah’s prayers for divine help (2Ch 13:14b–15a), - God’s granting victory to Judah (2Ch 13:15b–16), and - details concerning the outcome of the battle (2Ch 13:17–19). The realization that Jeroboam’s troops catch Judah in ambush, resulting in a pincers type attack that force the action at the front and the rear of Abijah’s army, causes them to cry out to God for divine intervention. This battle shout is “an act of faith” that God’s swift and dramatic involvement will ensue (reminiscent of the battle shout that brought down Jericho, Joshua 6:20). (See First and Second Chronicles - Page 137) 2 Chronicles 13:14 When Judah turned around, behold, they were attacked both front and rear; so they cried to the LORD, and the priests blew the trumpets. turned around: Ex 14:10 Jos 8:20 Judges 20:33-43 2Sa 10:8-14 cried: 2Ch 14:11 18:31 Ps 50:15 91:5 the priests: 2Ch 13:12 Related Passages: 2 Chronicles 6:34-35+ “When Your people go out to battle against their enemies, by whatever way You shall send them, and they pray to You toward this city which You have chosen and the house which I have built for Your name, 35 then hear from heaven their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause. Numbers 10:8-10+ “The priestly sons of Aaron, moreover, shall blow the trumpets; and this shall be for you a perpetual statute throughout your generations. 9 “When you go to war in your land against the adversary who attacks you, then you shall sound an alarm with the trumpets, that you may be remembered before the LORD your God, and be saved from your enemies. 10“Also in the day of your gladness and in your appointed feasts, and on the first days of your months, you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; and they shall be as a reminder of you before your God. I am the LORD your God.” CRY OUT TO THE LORD When Judah turned around, behold, they were attacked both front and rear - Abijah had good theology but bad strategy! So - Term of conclusion. This conclusion is based on their dire straits and almost certain defeat in light of Jeroboam's ambush. They cried to the LORD - This is a sincere response by Judah. Did they recall the words of Solomon's prayer? See Solomon's prayer above. Surrounded and desperate, they look up at the only hope they have to avoid being annihilated. THOUGHT - This is always a good strategy for God's people when we feel surrounded by enemies! Cry out! Play this old Maranatha song Cry Out! G Campbell
2 Crônicas 13
Guzik: Yet from our more complete understanding of Abijah’s life, we can learn another lesson: that one great spiritual victory does not make an entire life before God. One should never trust in a past spiritual accomplishment or season of victory. Matthew