Day 22 – The Battle belongs to Elohiym

2 Chronicles 20:1 It happened after this that the people of Moab with the people of Ammon, and others with them besides the Ammonites, came to battle against Jehoshaphat.

 2 Then some came and told Jehoshaphat, saying, “A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, from Syria; and they are in Hazazon Tamar” (which is En Gedi).

 3 Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek JEHOVAH, and proclaimed a fast throughout Judah.

 4 Then Judah gathered to ask for help from JEHOVAH; and from the cities of Judah, they came to seek JEHOVAH.

 5 Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of JEHOVAH, before the new court, 6 and said, “O JEHOVAH Elohiym of our fathers, are You not Elohiym in heaven, and do You not rule over the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one can withstand You? 7 Are You not our Elohiym, who drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel, and gave it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever? 8 They dwell in it, and built You a sanctuary in it for Your name, saying, 9 ‘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.’ 10 Now, here are the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir—whom You would not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them and did not destroy them— 11here they are, rewarding us by coming to throw us out of Your possession which You gave us to inherit. 12 O our Elohiym, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”

 13 Now everyone in Judah, with their little ones, their wives, and their children, stood before JEHOVAH.

 14 Then the Ruwach of JEHOVAH came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the middle of the assembly. 15 He said, “Listen, everyone of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says JEHOVAH to you, ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but Elohiym’s. 16 Tomorrow go down against them. They will come up by the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the brook before the Wilderness of Jeruel. 17 You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of JEHOVAH, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for JEHOVAH is with you.”

 18 Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and everyone in Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem bowed before JEHOVAH, worshiping JEHOVAH.

 19 Then the Levites of the children of the Kohathites and of the children of the Korahites stood up to praise JEHOVAH Elohiym of Israel with voices loud and high.

 20 Thus, they rose early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem. Believe in JEHOVAH your Elohiym, and you will be established; believe His prophets, and you will prosper.”

 21 When he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to JEHOVAH, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and said, “Praise JEHOVAH, for His mercy endures forever.”

 22 Now when they began to sing and to praise, JEHOVAH set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and defeated them.

 23 For the people of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir to kill and destroy them. When they made an end to the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another.

 24 Thus, when Judah came to a place overlooking the wilderness, they looked toward the multitude; and saw their dead bodies, fallen on the earth. No one escaped.

 25 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.

 26 On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Berachah, for there they blessed JEHOVAH; therefore, they called the name of that place The Valley of Berachah until this day.

 27 Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, with Jehoshaphat in front of them, to go back to Jerusalem with joy, for JEHOVAH made them rejoice over their enemies.

 28 Thus, they came to Jerusalem, with stringed instruments and harps and trumpets, to the house of JEHOVAH.

 29 The fear of Elohiym was on the kingdoms of those countries when they heard JEHOVAH fought against the enemies of Israel.

 30 Then the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet, for his Elohiym gave him rest throughout.

 31 Thus, Jehoshaphat was king over Judah. He was thirty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned twenty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Azubah, the daughter of Shilhi. 32 He walked in the way of his father Asa, and did not turn aside from it, doing what was right in the sight of JEHOVAH. 33 Nevertheless, the high places were not taken away, for yet the people had not directed their hearts to the Elohiym of their fathers.

 34 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first and last, indeed they are written in the book of Jehu the son of Hanani, which is mentioned in the book of the kings of Israel.

 35 After this Jehoshaphat king of Judah allied himself with Ahaziah king of Israel, who acted wickedly. 36 He allied himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish, and they made the ships in Ezion Geber. 37 However, Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, “Because you allied yourself with Ahaziah, JEHOVAH destroyed your works.” Then the ships were wrecked, so that they could not go to Tarshish.

God’s names:

JEHOVAH – Self-existent, Eternal

Elohiym – Supreme God

Ruwach – Violent Wind, Breath, Spirit

Yeshuwa – Jesus

God’s character:

Destroyer

Conqueror

What do you do when you hear bad news? How do you handle trouble when it comes your way?

Jehoshaphat learned the Ammonites, Moabites, and people from Mount Seir came against him to destroy the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem. Instead of panicking, Jehoshaphat prayed and reminded JEHOVAH of His promise to help His people when they called on Him from the temple in Jerusalem. When he finished praying, the Ruwach of Elohiym came on one of the Levites and told His people He would fight the battle, they needed to do nothing except watch Him conquer their enemies because the battle belonged to Elohiym.

When the people of Judah and Jerusalem went out to the battle, singing and praising JEHOVAH with instruments of praise and their voices, they saw the dead bodies of their enemies because Elohiym caused them to destroy each other. Then the people of Judah and Jerusalem gathered the spoil. It took three days to gather the spoil of their enemies.

When Satan comes against you to destroy you and the work Yeshuwa gave you, sing and praise Yeshuwa who destroys your enemies and causes them to flee before you. Yeshuwa inhabits the praises of His people. He delivers you from Satan and causes him to flee from you. Satan can do nothing to you when you praise Yeshuwa. Remember what the Ruwach told Jehoshaphat: the battle didn’t belong to Jehoshaphat, it belonged to Elohiym. Yeshuwa will fight your battles. The only thing you need to do is sing and praise Him. He will do the rest.

What battle are you facing? Praise Yeshuwa. He will fight for you, and when He wins the battle, you can collect the spoil.

Let’s pray: Father, Satan comes against me every day to wear me down and destroy my faith in You. Let my praise come before You and let me watch You defeat him. Bring me joy in the battle, knowing You will always fight for me. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Copyright © 9 February 2025 by Valerie Routhieaux