Our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this vast army that comes against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You." Our God, will You not judge them?This phrase reflects a plea for divine intervention and justice. In the context of 2 Chronicles 20, King Jehoshaphat is facing a coalition of enemies, including the Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunites. The request for God to judge them is rooted in the belief that God is the ultimate judge who can deliver justice. This echoes the biblical theme of God as the righteous judge, seen in passages like Psalm 7:11 and Romans 12:19, where God is called upon to execute judgment on behalf of His people. For we are powerless before this vast army that comes against us.
Jehoshaphat acknowledges the overwhelming odds against Judah, emphasizing their vulnerability and inability to defend themselves without divine help. This admission of powerlessness is a recurring theme in Scripture, where human weakness is contrasted with God's strength, as seen in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. The vast army represents a formidable threat, highlighting the need for reliance on God rather than human strength or military might. We do not know what to do,
This phrase captures a moment of uncertainty and desperation. It reflects the human condition of facing situations beyond one's control or understanding. In the biblical narrative, this is a call to seek divine wisdom and guidance, reminiscent of James 1:5, which encourages believers to ask God for wisdom in times of need. It underscores the importance of humility and dependence on God for direction. but our eyes are upon You.”
The focus shifts from the problem to God, indicating trust and faith in His ability to deliver. This act of looking to God is a demonstration of faith, similar to Hebrews 12:2, which encourages believers to fix their eyes on Jesus. It signifies a turning away from fear and uncertainty towards hope and assurance in God's providence. This reliance on God is a central tenet of faith, emphasizing that deliverance and guidance come from Him alone. Persons / Places / Events 1. JehoshaphatThe King of Judah who is leading his people in prayer during a time of crisis. He is known for his reforms and efforts to bring the people back to the worship of Yahweh. 2. JudahThe southern kingdom of Israel, consisting of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. It is under threat from a coalition of enemy forces in this passage. 3. The Moabites, Ammonites, and MeunitesThese are the enemy nations forming a coalition against Judah, posing a significant military threat. 4. JerusalemThe capital city of Judah, where Jehoshaphat and the people gather to seek the Lord's guidance and deliverance. 5. The TempleThe place where Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah gather to pray and seek God's intervention, symbolizing God's presence among His people. Teaching Points Dependence on GodJehoshaphat's prayer highlights the importance of recognizing our own limitations and relying on God's strength and wisdom. Prayer in CrisisIn times of overwhelming challenges, turning to God in prayer should be our first response, as demonstrated by Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah. Eyes on GodKeeping our focus on God, even when circumstances seem dire, is crucial for maintaining faith and receiving His guidance. Community in PrayerThe gathering of Judah to seek God together underscores the power and importance of communal prayer and support. God's SovereigntyTrusting in God's ability to judge and intervene in our situations reminds us of His ultimate control over all circumstances. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Jehoshaphat's response to the threat against Judah challenge or encourage you in your current life situation? 2. In what ways can you apply the principle of "our eyes are upon You" in your daily walk with God? 3. How does the communal aspect of prayer in this passage inspire you to engage with your church or community in times of need? 4. Reflect on a time when you felt powerless. How did you respond, and what can you learn from Jehoshaphat's example? 5. How do the additional scriptures connected to this passage deepen your understanding of relying on God in times of uncertainty? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 121This Psalm emphasizes looking to God for help, similar to how Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah look to God in their time of need. Exodus 14:13-14Moses tells the Israelites to stand firm and see the deliverance of the Lord, paralleling Jehoshaphat's reliance on God for deliverance. Philippians 4:6-7Encourages believers to present their requests to God with thanksgiving, promising peace, which aligns with Jehoshaphat's prayerful approach. James 1:5Advises believers to ask God for wisdom when they lack it, reflecting Jehoshaphat's admission of not knowing what to do. 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, ZechariahPlaces Ammon, Edom, Egypt, Engedi, Ezion-geber, Hazazon-tamar, Jeruel, Jerusalem, Mareshah, Moab, Mount Seir, Seir, Tarshish, Tekoa, ZizTopics Army, Attacking, Company, Equal, Execute, Face, Judge, Judgment, Loss, Multitude, O, Power, Powerless, Presence, Strength, Vast, WiltDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Chronicles 20:12 5002 human race, and creation
5020 human nature
5149 eyes
5454 power, God's saving
8224 dependence
8351 teachableness
8358 weakness, physical
8737 evil, responses to 2 Chronicles 20:1-17 8648 enquiring of God 2 Chronicles 20:10-12 5292 defence, divine 2 Chronicles 20:12-13 8610 prayer, asking God 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 ScriptureHolding 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 Links 2 Chronicles 20:12 NIV2 Chronicles 20:12 NLT2 Chronicles 20:12 ESV2 Chronicles 20:12 NASB2 Chronicles 20:12 KJV
2 Chronicles 20:12 Commentaries
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