“Now the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the former ways of his father David; he did not seek the Baals, but sought THE GOD OF DAVID, and walked in His commandments and not according to the acts of Israel…the armies of the Moabites, Ammonites, and some of the Meunites declared war on Jehoshaphat. Messengers came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army from Edom is marching AGAINST YOU from beyond the Dead Sea. They are already at Hazazon-tamar.” (This was another name for En-gedi.) Jehoshaphat was terrified by this news and BEGGED THE LORD FOR GUIDANCE. He also ordered everyone in Judah to begin fasting.” (2 Chronicles 17:3-4, 20:1-3)
The beginning of the Ammonite people goes a long way back to incestuous (human sexual activity between family members) events that occurred between Lot together WITH HIS TWO DAUGHTERS for Gomorrah and Sodom’s destruction. Eventually, the two daughters agreed to get their father drunk and sleep with them and they bore children who were the ancestors of the strong unions: Ammonites and Moabites. Months later, the first daughter gave birth to a boy named MOAB who is believed to be the father of all MOABITES. The other daughter gave birth to a boy as well which she named Ben-Ammi, the father of all AMMONITES. They were enemies of Israel.
“Then Jehoshaphat stood and prayed: “O LORD God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and IN YOUR HAND IS THERE NOT POWER AND MIGHT, so that no one is able to withstand You?” (2 Chronicles 20:5-6)
After Jehoshaphat prayed, “…the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel a Levite. 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… You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, STAND STILL AND SEE THE SALVATION OF THE LORD, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem BOWED BEFORE THE LORD, WORSHIPING THE LORD.” (2 Chronicles 20:14-15, 17-18) We must NOT FORGET the importance of our worship!!!
So, they began to sing to the LORD, and praise the beauty of holiness, saying: “PRAISE THE LORD, For His mercy endures forever…So when Judah came to a place, they looked toward the multitude; and there were THEIR DEAD BODIES, FALLEN ON THE EARTH. NO ONE HAD ESCAPED. When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away their spoil, they found among them an abundance of valuables on the dead bodies, and precious jewelry, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away; and they were THREE DAYS gathering the spoil because there was so much.” (2 Chronicles 20:24-25)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham