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PROPER SOLUTION TO A MAN-MADE PROBLEM

2 Chronicles 20

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Jehoshaphat

An official under David and Solomon (2 Sam. 8:16).

A son of Paruah and an official responsible for supplying food for King Solomon’s table (1 Kin. 4:17).

A son of Asa who succeeded his father as king of Judah (1 Kin. 15:24).

Jehoshaphat was 35 years old when he became king, and he reigned 25 years in Jerusalem (2 Chr. 20:31), from about 873 B.C. to about 848 B.C.

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Jehoshaphat

Jehoshaphat’s faith in God led him to “delight in the ways of the LORD” (2 Chr. 17:6).

He attacked pagan idolatry and he sent teachers to the people to teach them more about God (2 Chr. 17:6–9).

But in his dealings with Ahab, king of Israel, Jehoshaphat made some serious mistakes.

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God’s People in Danger 2

Chronicles 20

It came to pass after this also, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle. 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 Hazazontamar, which is Engedi.

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The Problem

Judah

Moabites Ammonite

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Others

Great Multitude

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Reaction to the Problem

3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.

4 And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the LORD: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD.

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Reaction to the ProblemJehoshaphat Feared

Proclaimed a Fast

Judah gathered together

Judah came to seek the Lord

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Reaction to the Problem

Usual Reaction: Mustering of Troops Come up with a quick and effective

counterstrike Strengthen the fighting force (not fast)Jehoshaphat’s reaction: Obtain the favor of God (2 Chron 19:2 And

Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD.)

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Reaction to the Problem

3 And Jehoshaphat feared: He was conscious of his guilt Those that have least sin are the

most sensible of it. His holy fear drove him to prayer and

preparation. and set himself to seek the LORD,

and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.

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Reaction to the Problem

3 and set himself to seek the LORD so as to find Him to find favour with Him with fixedness of thought with sincerity of intention with the utmost vigour and

resolution to continue seeking him.

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Reaction to the Problem3 and proclaimed a fast throughout all

Judah. National proclamation . A day of humiliation and prayer. A national day of confession A day of self denial – “not even

deserving to eat”

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Reaction to the Problem4 And Judah gathered themselves together, to

ask help of the LORD: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD.

as beggars at God’s door with their wives and children "Lord, we are indeed a provoking people,

that deserve to be abandoned to ruin; but here are little ones that are innocent, let not them perish in the storm.’’

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God’s Promises Recalled

6 And (Jehoshaphat) 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?

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God’s Promises Recalled

6 And (Jehoshaphat) said It was Jehoshaphat leading the

prayer. He did not delegate the prayer to the

chaplains. He prayed himself, not a prayer

request

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God’s Promises Recalled

6 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?

Jehoshaphat acknowledges the Sovereign dominion of Divine Providence

Is not thy dominion, supreme over kingdoms themselves, and universal, over all kingdoms, even those of the heathen that know thee not?

Lord, exert it on our behalf. Glorify thy own omnipotence.’’

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God’s Promises Recalled

7 Art not thou our God… Who else do we go to? Who else should we trust? who else should we depend upon?

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God’s Promises Recalled 7 …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?

You were the one who gave us this land You are the one responsible for our

salvation James 2:23 - And the scripture was fulfilled

which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

We are the seed of Abraham

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God’s Promises Recalled

7 …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?

You gave us this land, don’t let anybody take it away.

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God’s Promises Recalled 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.

Prayer of Solomon2 Ch 7:15 Now mine eyes shall be open,

and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place

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Summary – Solution to a Man-Made Problem Obtain the favor of God first Be aware of Holy Fear (look for un-

confesed sin) Seek the Lord Accept helplessness when apart from God Pray yourself first before requesting from

others Recall God’s promises and claim them When praying, focus on God, not on the

problem