Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.
Based on 2 Chronicles 20:1-30
Jehoshaphat In The Bible – King of Judah
Jehoshaphat was king of Judah, and the fourth to sit on the throne of the divided kingdom. He reigned for 25 years in Judah, and was known as a good king. God came first in his life, and he wanted the same for his people. At the very start, he removed many of the pagan shrines throughout the country. He knew that no god made out of rock or wood could help Judah. The king urged his people to turn their attention to the one true God. Only He could truly help his people. And his efforts paid off in a very big way.
The Ammonites, Moabites, And Edomites Invade Judah
During his reign, their faith was put to the test when three great armies came against them. When word of the invasion reached Jehoshaphat, he immediately declared a fast for all of Judah. He commanded everyone, young and old, to gather at Jerusalem to seek an answer from the Lord. They needed an answer quickly, because the invading force was already at En Gedi, just a couple of days march from Jerusalem.
2 Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria; and, behold, they be in Hazazon-tamar, which is En-gedi. 3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.
— 2 Chronicles 20:2-3 <KJV>
Jehoshaphat’s Prayer
Jehoshaphat stood among the crowd and prayed,
6 And said, O LORD God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee? 7 Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever? 8 And they dwelt therein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name, saying, 9 If, when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, (for thy name is in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help. 10 And now, behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and mount Seir, whom thou wouldest not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them, and destroyed them not; 11 Behold, I say, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of thy possession, which thou hast given us to inherit. 12 O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for 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 Chronicles 20:6-12 <KJV>
Jehoshaphat presented his case to God. Years earlier, He had prevented the children of Israel from destroying the very same people who were now invading Judah. The three kingdoms had patiently waited for an opportunity to destroy Israel. Now, with the nation divided into Judah and Samaria, the door was opened to invade and destroy. They just did not count on God fighting for Judah.
The Spirit Of The Lord Comes Upon Jahaziel
All of Jerusalem waited patiently for the Lord to speak. And then the spirit of the Lord spoke through a Levite named Jahaziel, who said,
15 And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16 To morrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel. 17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you. -- 2 Chronicles 20:15-17 <KJV>
After hearing the Word, Jehoshaphat and all of Jerusalem bowed to the ground and worshipped the Lord. And the Levites stood up and praised Him.
The next morning they got up early and prepared to march out to meet the invaders. King Jehoshaphat addressed the army, “Listen to me Judah and residents of Jerusalem; Trust in the Lord your God and you will never fail. Believe His prophets and you will always prosper!”
He then appointed a choir to march before the army and praise God. As they marched they sang, “Praise the Lord, for His mercy lasts forever!”
“Give thanks to the LORD; his faithful love endures forever!”
Stand Still And Watch The Lord’s Victory
And as soon as they started praising God, confusion erupted in the invaders’ camps. Two of the armies turned on the other and destroyed it. Then, they turned on each other until every soldier was dead.
When Jehoshaphat’s army reached a hill overlooking the invaders’ camps, there was nothing but dead soldiers as far as they could see. None had escaped.
25 When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take the spoil, they found among them much cattle, goods, garments, and precious things which they took for themselves, more than they could carry away, so much they were three days in gathering the spoil. — 2 Chronicles 20:25 <AMP>
Jehoshaphat’s army sacked the enemies’ camp. It took them three days to remove all the loot. On the fourth day, they gathered in the valley and praised the Lord for the great victory. They returned to Jerusalem with joy, playing trumpets and harps in celebration.
The rest of Jehoshaphat’s reign was peaceful. All the nearby countries heard how God had fought for Judah. They knew that any attack on Judah was an attack on God, and no man can fight against the one true God.
Who Was Jehoshaphat And Why Did He Jump
You have probably heard the exclamation, “Jumping Jehoshaphat!” Its been around since the 1800s. I think I first heard it from a Bugs Bunny cartoon, a catchphrase of Yosemite Sam. And then somewhere along the way I got the idea that there was a Biblical connection. It may have come from my own creative mind, or my mind wandering during Sunday School. But it seems somewhat natural, maybe even expected, that Jehoshaphat would jump or dance at the news that God was fighting for him and Judah. After 3 days spoiling the enemy’s camp, they had a major celebration. It seems logical that there just might be some jumping, along with plenty of praise, for the victory God gave them.
Sadly, I could not confirm that in Scripture. It seems the saying was created as an alternative to taking the name of God in vain. It seems many of these types of phrases originated around this time. The first known usage was in a novel published in 1866. But even if King Jehoshaphat was not the source of this phrase, he certainly had plenty of reasons to jump for joy for what the Lord did for Judah.
For more information – “Jumpin’ Jehosaphat!” – Wednesday’s Word and Picture
Some Things To Think About
Satan had inspired these three great armies to attack and destroy Judah. He thought that he could thwart God’s plans by destroying His chosen people. What satan didn’t realize was that Jehoshaphat still had faith in God. He had worked very hard to bring his people back to the Lord. By the time the enemy was near, they weren’t afraid. They simply went to God and sought His protection. After all, they had a covenant with Him (Deuteronomy 20:2-4, 28:7, Exodus 14:13-14). It was an ironclad promise that no army could prevail against them. As long as they believed God and trusted His promises, they would never lose and never be afraid. If you make Jesus the Lord of your life, that same covenant belongs to you.
God told Judah that they would march out to meet the invaders, but that they wouldn’t have to lift a finger. He loves His people so much that He is willing to fight the battles for them! He loves you that much too. Are you reading the Bible and getting to know God? He wants to fight your battles too!
The day Judah’s army marched out they could have easily forgotten what God had said and tried to figure out a way to win the battle. They could have been overcome with fear or pride and been destroyed by the enemy. But instead, they marched out confidently knowing that the victory was theirs! They released their faith in joyful praise, which unleashed God’s power on their behalf. It takes real faith to praise God when things look bad. But real faith released through praise will open the windows of heaven and overcome any difficulty.
Faith Building Exercise
Faith comes by continually hearing God’s Word. When you confess (speak) God’s Word out loud you are planting God’s incorruptible seed in your heart (spirit). In time, God’s Word will take root in your spirit (heart) and produce a plentiful harvest of all God’s blessings and promises in your life.
Confess these out loud every day until you believe them in your spirit. They will build your faith. Look up these verses and read them as they appear in your Bible. You can always trust God’s Word because He cannot lie.
I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
(Psalm 18:1-3)
I am lifted up above the enemies that surround me. I offer sacrifices of joy. I sing and make music to the Lord.
(Psalm 27:6)
God’s goodness is so great! He has stored up great blessings for me because I honor Him. While everyone watches, He pours them out on me. He hides me in the shelter of His presence. He protects me from those that conspire against me and falsely accuse me. Praise the Lord! He shows me his wonderful love. He keeps me safe when I am under attack. When I pray, He hears me and rescues me. I Love the Lord and I am loyal to Him and He protects me. I am strong and courageous because my hope is in the Lord!
(Psalm 31:19-24)
I sing and make music to the Lord. He deserves my praise. I praise Him in song and with musical instruments. The Word of the Lord is true. He can always be trusted. His unfailing love surrounds me!
(Psalm 33:1-5)
I put my hope in my Savior and my God. I will always praise Him.
(Psalm 42:11)
I sacrifice praise to God and keep my promises to Him. I call upon Him when I am in trouble. He delivers me and I praise Him.
(Psalm 50:14-15)
I praise God’s promises! I trust Him and I am not afraid. No one can harm me.
(Psalm 56:4, 10-11)
I trust in the Lord. He surrounds me now and forevermore.
(Psalm 125:1-2)
I go out in joy and I am led in peace. The hills burst into song before me and the trees clap their hands.
(Isaiah 55:12)
I live my life worthy of the Gospel of Christ. I stand firm in the Spirit and work with one mind for the faith of the Gospel. I am not intimidated or afraid of my adversaries. This is proof of their destruction and my salvation from God.
(Philippians 1:27-28)
The peace of God guards my heart and mind.
(Philippians 4:6-7)
To learn more, click here: King Jehoshaphat
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