What leaps to your mind when you think of threats?
Merriam-Webster.com defines a threat as an expression of intention to inflict evil, injury or damage.
How does this definition of a threat change your response to the first question?
When you describe someone as a believer, what do you mean by it?
Merriam-Webster.com defines a believer as one who professes a religious faith.
A response is something that constitutes a reply or a reaction.
Today’s study looks closely at a believer’s response to threats from multiple people groups.
A Believer’s Response to Threats
A Study of 2 Chronicles 20:1-19
20 After this the Moabites and Ammonites, and with them some of the Meunites, came against Jehoshaphat for battle. 2 Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, “A great multitude is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the sea; and, behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar” (that is, Engedi).[1]
Using 2 Chronicles 17:1-6, describe Jehoshaphat’s character.
3 Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 4 And Judah assembled to seek help from the Lord; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord. [2]
What does the phrase “set his face” convey about Jehoshaphat’s determination to seek the Lord?
Traditionally, fasting is eating sparingly or abstaining completely from food.
How does abstaining from food emphasize Jehoshaphat and Judah’s dependence on the Lord?
5 And Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord, before the new court, 6 and said, “O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you.[3]
Why did the house of the Lord have a new court? (See 2 Chronicles 15:1-8)
What does Jehoshaphat believe about God? Why?
Explain the purpose of opening his prayer to the Lord in this way.
7 Did you not, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? 8 And they have lived in it and have built for you in it a sanctuary for your name, saying, 9 ‘If disaster comes upon us, the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before you—for your name is in this house—and cry out to you in our affliction, and you will hear and save.[4]
Why does Jehoshaphat remind God of His covenant with Abraham’s descendants? (See 1 Chronicles 16:14-18)
10 And now behold, the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom you would not let Israel invade when they came from the land of Egypt, and whom they avoided and did not destroy— 11 behold, they reward us by coming to drive us out of your possession, which you have given us to inherit.[5]
Write out the following verses.
What reasons did the Lord give for prohibiting the invasion of the land of the people groups currently threatening the kingdom of Judah?
12 O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” 13 Meanwhile all Judah stood before the Lord, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.[6]
Why is it appropriate for Jehoshaphat to ask the Lord to execute judgment on the people groups threatening Judah?
The Lord’s Response to the Believers
14 And the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly.[7]
Why is Jahaziel’s lineage given?
15 And he said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s. 16 Tomorrow go down against them. Behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz. You will find them at the end of the valley, east of the wilderness of Jeruel. [8]
Why are they told not to be afraid?
What instructions are they given?
17 You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you.” [9]
What are they promised?
18 Then Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the Lord, worshiping the Lord. 19 And the Levites, of the Kohathites and the Korahites, stood up to praise the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice. [10]
How did the following people respond to God’s promise of salvation from the attackers?
Jehoshaphat –
Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem –
The Levites –
What do these different postures tell you about worshiping the Lord?
4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant,
and their faces shall never be ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him
and saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them. [11]
How does this excerpt from Psalm 34, written by King David before the time of King Jehoshaphat, support 2 Chronicles 20:1- 19?
A Believer’s Response to Threats
Personal Application
Describe a time you’ve felt threatened.
What did you focus on at the time of this threat?
How does today’s passage help you trust the Lord cares about you when you feel threatened?
What do you need to do in response to this scripture?
Heavenly Father, thank you for this scripture that shows us how You respond to those who humbly seek Your help when facing threatening situations. We praise you along with these ancient people who trusted in You and kept their eyes on You as their savior. Amen.
Come back next week for the conclusion of this situation as we study 2 Chronicles 20:20-30, A Believer’s Response to Success.
Warmly,
Barbara Lynn
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[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 2 Ch 20:1–2.
[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 2 Ch 20:3–4.
[3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 2 Ch 20:5–6.
[4] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 2 Ch 20:7–9.
[5] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 2 Ch 20:10–11.
[6] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 2 Ch 20:12–13.
[7] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 2 Ch 20:14.
[8] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 2 Ch 20:15–16.
[9] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 2 Ch 20:17.
[10] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 2 Ch 20:18–19.
[11] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Ps 34:4–7.