2 Chronicles 20:10
And now, here are the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, whom You did not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt; but Israel turned away from them and did not destroy them.
And now, here are the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir
The mention of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir refers to three distinct groups or regions. The Ammonites and Moabites were descendants of Lot, Abraham's nephew, and had a complex relationship with Israel. Mount Seir is associated with the Edomites, descendants of Esau, Jacob's brother. These groups often had contentious interactions with Israel, yet they were spared during Israel's initial conquest of Canaan. This phrase sets the stage for a confrontation, highlighting the irony and tension as these spared nations now threaten Israel.

whom You did not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt
This refers to God's specific instructions to the Israelites during their wilderness journey. In Deuteronomy 2, God commanded Israel not to harass or provoke war with these nations because He had given their land to the descendants of Lot and Esau. This divine directive underscores God's sovereignty and His plans for different peoples. It also reflects God's faithfulness to His promises, even to those outside the covenant community of Israel.

So Israel turned away from them and did not destroy them
Israel's obedience to God's command not to engage these nations is a testament to their faithfulness at that time. This historical decision is significant because it demonstrates Israel's reliance on God's guidance rather than their own military might. The restraint shown by Israel is a reminder of the importance of obedience to God's will, even when it might seem strategically disadvantageous. This act of obedience is now contrasted with the current threat, emphasizing the moral and spiritual dilemma faced by Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jehoshaphat
The king of Judah who is leading the nation in prayer and seeking God's guidance in the face of a vast enemy coalition.

2. Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir
These are the nations that have come against Judah. Historically, they were spared by the Israelites during their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land.

3. The Land of Egypt
The place from which the Israelites were delivered by God, marking the beginning of their journey to the Promised Land.

4. The Israelites' Journey
Refers to the historical journey of the Israelites from Egypt to Canaan, during which they were instructed by God not to engage certain nations in battle.

5. The Prayer of Jehoshaphat
A significant event where Jehoshaphat seeks divine intervention, acknowledging God's past instructions and current sovereignty.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty in History
Recognize that God has a plan and purpose in historical events, even when they seem perplexing or challenging.

Obedience to God's Commands
Reflect on the importance of obeying God's instructions, even when they do not align with our immediate understanding or desires.

Trust in Divine Justice
Trust that God will address wrongs and injustices in His timing and way, as seen in the restraint shown by Israel and the subsequent threat from these nations.

Prayer as a Response to Crisis
Emphasize the importance of turning to God in prayer during times of crisis, seeking His guidance and intervention.

Remembering God's Past Faithfulness
Encourage believers to recall and rely on God's past faithfulness as a source of strength and confidence in present challenges.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Jehoshaphat's response to the threat from Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir demonstrate his faith in God?

2. What can we learn from the Israelites' initial restraint towards these nations, and how does it apply to our interactions with others today?

3. In what ways does the historical context of Israel's journey from Egypt enhance our understanding of 2 Chronicles 20:10?

4. How can we apply the principle of leaving vengeance to God in our personal lives, as seen in Romans 12:19?

5. Reflect on a time when you faced a crisis. How did prayer and recalling God's past faithfulness help you navigate that situation?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Deuteronomy 2:4-9
This passage provides the background for why Israel was instructed not to engage with the nations of Ammon, Moab, and Edom (Mount Seir) during their journey from Egypt.

Psalm 83:4-8
This psalm lists the same nations conspiring against Israel, showing a recurring theme of opposition from these groups.

Romans 12:19
This New Testament verse echoes the principle of leaving vengeance to God, which is relevant to the restraint shown by Israel in not attacking these nations initially.
The Source of Safety in the Hour of PerilW. Clarkson 2 Chronicles 20:1-13
Man's Extremity is God's OpportunityJ. Wolfendale.2 Chronicles 20:5-13
The Cause of Famine and Our DutyCharles A. Maguire, M.A.2 Chronicles 20:5-13
The Prayer of JehoshaphatT. Whitelaw 2 Chronicles 20:5-19
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, Zechariah
Places
Ammon, Edom, Egypt, Engedi, Ezion-geber, Hazazon-tamar, Jeruel, Jerusalem, Mareshah, Moab, Mount Seir, Seir, Tarshish, Tekoa, Ziz
Topics
Allow, Ammon, Amongst, Aside, Attacking, Avoided, Behold, Destroy, Destroyed, Destruction, Didn't, Egypt, Grant, Invade, Kept, Moab, Mount, Seir, Se'ir, Sons, Territory, Turning, Wouldest, Wouldst
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Chronicles 20:1-17

     8648   enquiring of God

2 Chronicles 20:10-11

     8739   evil, examples of

2 Chronicles 20:10-12

     5292   defence, divine

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 Scripture

Holding 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

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