2 Crônicas 20
G. Campbell Morgan · Citado em PreceptAustin
2 Crônicas 20
Morgan - Black Easter March 25 Nearly 1,000 missionary personnel under the China Inland Mission were trapped in China when the Communists took over in the 1940s. CIM ordered a total evacuation in January, 1951, but was it too late? Communists are not averse to killing. Arthur and Wilda Mathews applied for exit visas on January 3. Their living conditions had deteriorated to a bare kitchen where, in the corner, Wilda had converted a footlocker into a prayer nook. Days passed with no action on their requests. Meanwhile citizens were executed every day, and from her kitchen Wilda could hear the shots. The strain grew unbearable. “The imagination is what jumps around into all sorts of places it ought to keep out of,” Arthur wrote to his parents. He was told at last that his wife and child could leave if he would secretly work for the Communists. Arthur refused. Day after day he was summoned and grilled. Day after day he said good-bye to Wilda, wondering if he would ever see her again. Finally Arthur bluntly told the authorities, “I am not a Judas. If you expect me or anyone else in the China Inland Mission to do that kind of thing, you had better not try because we cannot do it.” Wilda was utterly overcome by fear and doubt. Sunday, March 21, 1951 was, as she called it later, Black Easter. Wilda sneaked into an Easter church service, but when she opened her mouth to sing “He Lives!” no words came out. Returning home, she fell at the trunk and her trembling fingers found 2 Chronicles 20.17: You won’t even have to fight. Just take your position and watch the LORD rescue you from your enemy. Don’t be afraid.… Wilda clamped onto that verse, and two weeks later she wrote, “The conflict has been terrible, but peace and quiet reign now.” It was two years before she exited the country, and even longer for Arthur who became the last CIM missionary to leave China. But miraculously, all of them got out without a single one being martyred. It was the greatest exodus in missionary history. (BORROW From this verse : 365 inspiring stories about the power of God's word) Charles Stanley - Marching into Battle (BORROW Into His presence : an In Touch devotional) SCRIPTURE READING: 2 Chronicles 20:1–19 KEY VERSE: 2 Chronicles 20:17 You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem! Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the LORD is with you. The massive enemy army was coming. We can only imagine how news traveled in Jehoshaphat’s day—by messenger on foot or by rider on horseback. One day life was normal, filled with regular activity. The next day the nation of Judah awoke to news of enemy invasion. Reports of the threat spread quickly, igniting feelings of panic. Even King Jehoshaphat became fearful, but he also recognized that no enemy was stronger than the Lord God. He immediately proclaimed a fast, and then he called the people together to pray. The Lord’s Spirit filled the temple area where the people were praying and spoke through the prophet Jahaziel: “Listen, all you of Judah … Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s … Position yourselves … and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you’ ” (2 Chron. 20:15–17). God instructed Jehoshaphat to place the choir in front of the people as they marched into battle. What an act of faith by Jehoshaphat! Can you do what Judah did—march into battle singing? They heard the word of the Lord and understood that the victory was theirs. All they were called to do was to watch, pray, and praise. When we praise Him, God works in miraculous ways! Lord, as I march into the battles of this day, I praise You! The victory is mine! Charles Stanley - A God-Centered Prayer (BORROW Into His presence : an In Touch devotional) SCRIPTURE READING: 2 Chronicles 20:13–30 KEY VERSE: 2 Chronicles 20:17 You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem! Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the LORD is with you. Jehoshaphat’s prayer was God centered. He did not indulge in negativism by dwelling on the details of the difficulty. God wants you to be specific about a problem, His desire is to move your focus onto His power. Name your concern and begin with praise for His action and blessing in the past; then express the truth of His omnipotence. The king was no novice in rulership, and that wasn’t the first kingdom problem. He had learned the value of coming to God in absolute humility, acknowledging his utter dependence. So complete was his trust that he never lapsed into self-reliance. In other words, he could have quickly thanked God and then spread out the battle maps to make plans with his commanders. In your situation, the temptation to figure it out yourself may be the same, but God wants you to let Him handle the strategy. What is even more awesome is that while the king prayed, God already had their deliverance under way. By the time the army of Judah arrived on the scene, what they beheld was a field of corpses. Not one foe was left standing. God provided what they needed, and He supplied them with gracious abundance. Trusting Him to provide the resources for every demand makes you a God-centered person. Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness in the past. I praise You for what You will do in the future. I lay my problems, plans, and issues before You right now. Charles Stanley - Pour Out Your Heart (BORROW On holy ground : a daily devotional) SCRIPTURE READING: 2 Chronicles 20:13–17 KEY VERSE: 2 Chronicles 20:17 “You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!” Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the LORD is with you. Jehoshaphat had a huge problem. The armies of the Moabites and Ammonites and Meunites were about to march on him and his people (2 Chron. 20:1 NASB). It was a time of national emergency, and most leaders would have called their advisers or mustered the army—but not King Jehoshaphat. “Jehoshaphat was afraid and turned his attention to seek the LORD” (2 Chron. 20:3 NASB). He didn’t falter, complain, or waste time in pessimistic thinking. Instead, he immediately called the people together for a time of prayer with fasting. Notice the attributes of God he named at the beginning of his prayer: “O LORD, the God of our fathers, art Thou not God in the heavens? And art Thou not ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Thy hand so that no one can stand against Thee” (2 Chron. 20:6 NASB). The king recognized God’s ultimate power and authority, and therefore he was not afraid of what mere men might do to him. Furthermore, he showed that he was willing to be involved in the process of God’s answer. The king didn’t mouth a halfhearted, unemotional statement; he prayed with interest and passion and sincerity. Have you ever poured forth your heart to the Lord? He wants you to cry out to Him and actively seek His deliverance. O God, You handle the strategy. Provide the resources for my battles. I know that even while I am praying, my deliverance is on the way. Fear of Confrontation “Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out to face them, for the LORD is with you.” 2Ch 20:17 NASB Intimidation has worked in the past. As a youngster, I cowered in fear when a raised voice was aimed at me. An angry stare would tongue-twist any clever comeback I might conjure up. My fear of confrontation followed me into adulthood until God reminded me that I’m not a doormat. I am His child. In fear, Jehoshaphat sought the Lord’s guidance and protection in the expected attack from his enemies. He proclaimed a nationwide fast, then glorified God before requesting His help. Chapter 20 in 2 Chronicles gave me new confidence when faced with a dreaded confrontation. I give God the glory, then ask Him to strengthen, guide, and protect me. Whether confronting a well-meaning friend, a bully, or a fierce enemy, let us turn to the Lord in prayer—first in praise, then in supplication. Lord God, we turn to You before facing our enemies and pray for the right attitude and words, as well as courage to confront them with Christlike graciousness. (Fear Less, Pray More) C H
2 Crônicas 20
Morgan - 2Chr. 20:13 - This chapter gives us a story which reveals most graphically the simplicity, and therefore the perfection, at this point, of the faith of Jehoshaphat. His kingdom was threatened with powerful and terrible invasion. In his extremity he gathered his people about him, and. prayed. It is indeed a great and arresting picture this, of the king surrounded by the whole nation; fathers and mothers with their little ones—that is, the very little ones, the babies; and their children—that is, the elder sons and daughters. It was a genuine national act of simple and direct acknowledgment of God. In the hour of national danger, the nation sought the help of the one true King—Jehovah. The prayer of Jehoshaphat was a powerful outpouring of the soul in the consciousness of need. He pleaded the past evidences of the faithfulness of Jehovah, confessed his sense of his own inability to cope with the danger, and definitely sought the help of God. 1 he answer was not delayed. The Spirit of God came upon Jahaziel, and in the Name of Jehovah he uttered a promise, and made the announcement that all Judah had to do, was to stand still and see the salvation of Jehovah. Then followed the united worship of the people and the solemn chanting of the praise of God. Discomfiture fell upon the foe. It was a moment bright with light amid the darkness. This is ancient history, but we have seen in our days events which can have no other explanation. When after stress and strain our own nation did definitely cry unto Cod, He heard and wrought deliverance, and that with a suddenness and completeness which amazed us. 2 Chronicles 20:14 Then in the midst of the assembly the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, the Levite of the sons of Asaph; Then in the midst of the assembly: Isa 58:9 65:24 Da 9:20,21 Ac 10:4,31 Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel 2Ch 15:1 2Ch 24:20 Nu 11:25-26 Nu 24:2 Related Passages: Numbers 11:25-26+ Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to him; and He took of the Spirit who was upon him and placed Him upon the seventy elders. And when the Spirit rested upon them, they prophesied. But they did not do it again. 26 But two men had remained in the camp; the name of one was Eldad and the name of the other Medad. And the Spirit rested upon them (now they were among those who had been registered, but had not gone out to the tent), and they prophesied in the camp. Numbers 24:2+ And Balaam lifted up his eyes and saw Israel camping tribe by tribe; and the Spirit of God came upon him. Judges 3:10 The Spirit of the LORD came upon him (OTHNIEL), and he judged Israel. When he went out to war, the LORD gave Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand, so that he prevailed over Cushan-rishathaim. Judges 6:34 So the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon; and he blew a trumpet, and the Abiezrites were called together to follow him. Judges 11:29 Now the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah, so that he passed through Gilead and Manasseh; then he passed through Mizpah of Gilead, and from Mizpah of Gilead he went on to the sons of Ammon. Judges 14:6 The Spirit of the LORD came upon him (SAMSON) mightily, so that he tore him as one tears a young goat though he had nothing in his hand; but he did not tell his father or mother what he had done. Judges 14:19 Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon him (SAMSON) mightily, and he went down to Ashkelon and killed thirty of them and took their spoil and gave the changes of clothes to those who told the riddle. And his anger burned, and he went up to his father’s house. Judges 15:14 When he came to Lehi, the Philistines shouted as they met him. And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him (SAMSON) mightily so that the ropes that were on his arms were as flax that is burned with fire, and his bonds dropped from his hands. 1 Samuel 10:10 When they came to the hill there, behold, a group of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him (SAUL) mightily, so that he prophesied among them. 1 Samuel 11:6 Then the Spirit of God came upon Saul mightily when he heard these words, and he became very angry. 1 Samuel 16:13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward. And Samuel arose and went to Ramah. 1 Samuel 19:20 Then Saul sent messengers to take David, but when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, with Samuel standing and presiding over them, the Spirit of God came upon the messengers of Saul; and they also prophesied. 1 Samuel 19:23 He (SAUL) proceeded there to Naioth in Ramah; and the Spirit of God came upon him also, so that he went along prophesying continually until he came to Naioth in Ramah. 1 Chronicles 12:18 Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, who was the chief of the thirty, and he said, “We are yours, O David, And with you, O son of Jesse! Peace, peace to you, And peace to him who helps you; Indeed, your God helps you!” Then David received them and made them captains of the band. 1 Chronicles 16:5 Asaph the chief, and second to him Zechariah, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-edom and Jeiel, with musical instruments, harps, lyres; also Asaph played loud-sounding cymbals, 2 Chronicles 15:1-2 Now the Spirit of God came on Azariah the son of Oded, 2and he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Listen to me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: the LORD is with you when you are with Him. And if you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you. 2 Chronicles 24:20 Then the Spirit of God came on Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest; and he stood above the people and said to them, “Thus God has said, ‘Why do you transgress the commandments of the LORD and do not prosper? Because you have forsaken the LORD, He has also forsaken you.’” SPIRIT OF THE LORD COMES UPON JAHAZIEL Then - This time sensitive word marks progression in a narrative and what a great progression in this context! In the silence of this great throng of souls, the Almighty spoke by His Spirit through a man! God clearly answers their prayer through Jahaziel. In the midst of the assembly the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, the Levite of the sons of Asaph - Jahaziel's ancestry is traced with unerring precision, tracing his pedigree back five generations to Asaph the chief Levitical musician (composer of 12 psalms - Ps 50; Ps 73–83) when David organized the Temple personnel (1 Chr 16:5+). God showed up in the midst of the assembly. A Spirit empowered man gives a divine response to Jehoshaphat's prayer. See SPIRIT IN THE BIBLE. 🙏 THOUGHT- You will sometimes feel as though you are in an all-out spiritual war, but you must remember that you’re not alone, for God is not just presence in your midst (which He is), but literally present IN YOU! (Col 1:27+, 1Co 6:19+). God is your Covenant Defender and He will fight for you (2Ch 20:15). Your responsibility is to believe in Him and His protection for you and stand fast in the midst of the struggle (cf Jas 4:7+, 1Pe 5:8-9+). (See discussion of Covenant Defender) Jahaziel the son of Zechariah - Interesting meaning to his name = "whom God watches over" or "beheld of God." He was a Levite of the Bene-Asaph in the reign of Jehoshaphat. (circa B.C. 896.) This is all we know about this man who was faithful to fill his calling on this great occasion.