We so often hear the accusation that the Old Testament is full of murder and manslaughter. Indeed, it is a history of war, preparations for war, fortified cities and kings that have to deal with the enemies of the people of Israel, sometimes successfully and sometimes with catastrophic consequences. The success, or not, in any war as described in the books of Joshua, Judges, Kings and Chronicles, is so written to emphasize the leader and the people’s relationship with God.

The Old Testament is for us a literal, physical depiction of our spiritual struggle with an invisible enemy who is “not flesh and blood.” 

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12)

The remedy for this battle is a suit of armor explained in terms of a first century Roman soldier – invisible weapons of deliverance and salvation that protect against the brokenness of the world we experience daily. Deliverance over your mind, truth as girdle, justice and right-standing with God as breast-armour, the peace of Jesus on which you walk, as you carry the shield of faith and the sword of the Word.

With the luxury of looking back, we can apply this “modern warfare” onto the battles of the Old Testament stories according to the spiritual insight we now have.

The armour of Ephesians 6 is exactly the “arms” that Jehoshaphat takes up in 2 Chronicles 20.

A large army rises up against Judah – the Moabites, the Ammonites and a group of Meunites (a nomadic group of Arabs mainly from the southeast). The report of the hostile alliance reaches Jehoshaphat in Jerusalem at a time when he is engaged in sweeping and good reforms. He has renewed the justice of the land, sent out teachers all over the land to teach the common people the Law of the Lord, fortified border cities, hoarded grain for difficult times. Read from 2 Chronicles 17 on about the highly successful reign of Jehoshaphat, which gets the stamp of approval from the Chronicler: he walked in the ways of his forefather David and did not worship the Baals. He did what was right in the sight of the Lord.

One would think that the Lord would bless him in such a way that hostile nations do not rise up against him; that he lives in peace with his enemies. That is not how history works. Three peoples conspire to invade fortified Judah. The prosperity of the people under Jehoshaphat would certainly provoke jealousy and greed from his neighbours. 

Here one reads words that really do not fit a powerful king.

Jehoshaphat was afraid (2 Chronicles 20:3) 

Is it not refreshing and encouraging to read the Bible’s bone-honest, undiluted account of the events?

The great and successful king is afraid of the overwhelming force. However, that is not the end of the story nor the point. The point is actually what he does with his fear.

He seeks help from the Lord.

Jehoshaphat proclaims a fast day over all Judah and the people respond. They travel to Jerusalem to pray for the Lord’s help together with the king. A large gathering where Jehoshaphat takes the lead is held in front of the Temple. He acts as king and priest – he leads the people in prayer.

The prayer is written for our insight into the thinking of the king.

Are You not …God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, 

And is there not … in Your great Hand power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You? 

Are You not our God …who drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel, and gave it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever.

‘If disaster comes upon us—sword, judgment, pestilence, or famine—we will stand before this temple and in Your presence (for Your name is in this temple), and cry out to You in our affliction, and You will hear and save.’

According to 2 Chronicles, the nations attacking Judah now were among the nations that the Israelites had been instructed not to exterminate. Remember Moab and Ammon were Lot’s descendants (born of incest) and the people of Mount Seir were from Edom, the descendants of Esau. All were actually “family”. Their “betrayal” against Israel to make war now is quoted by Jehoshaphat in his prayer.

It is just like that. How many times in our personal relationships and also in political upheavals are good deeds “rewarded” with evil and violence? This is precisely why we trust completely in the heavenly Judge who knows everything and has perfect knowledge about everything and everyone. He will judge and repay.

That’s exactly what Jehoshaphat does and what we need to do—personal and public, business or private—let God decide what to do with the stuff that offends you.

O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.” 

Our eyes are on you —  a statement that resonates in the universe. It’s the words that move the heavens into action. It’s the promise that stands.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.  (Proverbs 3:5,6)

It is better to trust in the Lord
Than to put confidence in man.
It is better to trust in the Lord
Than to put confidence in princes. (Psalm 118:8,9)

Out of Jehoshaphat’s humility flows the prophetic word through a descendant of Asaph, a worship leader.

And he said, “Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! 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. Tomorrow go down against them. They will surely come up by the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the brook before the Wilderness of Jeruel. 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.” 

Don’t you want to kneel with your face to the ground at this moment, like Jehoshaphat and Nehemiah lying flat on his stomach to call on the Lord? Jehoshaphat and all the people bowed before the Lord in worship. The Levites stood up and began to praise the Lord with loud voices. The worship determined the battle strategy.

And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying:

“Praise the Lord,
For His mercy endures forever.”

A hymn of praise with a cry of joy — it’s not lip service. It’s God’s grace that breaks out of your heart with desperation. It’s the Holy Spirit in you that communicates God’s faithfulness to your inner self.

God’s ambush causes the enemy to murder one another—complete destruction and total annihilation, are the words used to describe the battle.

The result: The entire army of Judah carried out the spoils for three days. The destruction of your enemies is for your benefit. God sees your heart trusting in Him, and He is active and alert to His Word, His promises, to perform it – Jeremiah 1.