Today’s passage: 2 Chronicles 20:1-37
Helpful thoughts:
- The people who had come against Jehoshaphat and Judah were the descendants of Lot (Genesis 19:36-38).
- The king humbled himself and cried out to the Lord. Before the eyes of all those who looked to him for leadership, he openly displayed his utter dependence on the Lord. And, following his leadership, the people (Men, women and children) did the same.
- The people went out to “battle” singing in praise and expectation of God’s provision, and they returned home from the “battle” singing in praise and thanksgiving for God’s provision.
Questions to consider:
- What mistake does Jehoshaphat make again near the end of this chapter? If you had to guess, why was this action recorded for us to read at the end? What might we expect to see in the next chapters as a result of these continued alliances?
- How did Jehoshaphat model good leadership during his reign? Whose name was being praised on the way to and the way home from the battle? Under whose direction? How might this seem counterproductive from the world’s perspective?
- If God can turn allies against each other in the middle of a battlefield, is anything too hard for the Lord? What could you take to the Lord in prayer? If you already have, and if God isn’t answering the way you’d hoped, what might He be doing instead? How can God’s attributes encourage you to trust Him with whatever response He deems best?