Today’s Crisis Counsels brings the story we have been considering from II Chronicles 20 to its conclusion. The story began with messengers reporting to King Jehoshaphat of Judah that three nations – the Ammonites, Moabites, and Meunites (also known as the inhabitants of Mount Seir) – had combined into a giant army to attack Judah. The small nation of Judah did not seem to stand a chance. King Jehoshaphat’s immediate response was to turn to God in prayer, recalling that God is a God of deliverance, and fixing his vision upon God. The people of Judah likewise joined Jehoshaphat in earnest prayer.

Then Jahaziel, a musician in the temple, was inspired to proclaim a prophetic word. He said to the people, “Do not fear or be dismayed, for the battle is not yours but God’s.” (II Chronicles 20:15) He told the people that they should go out from Jerusalem to meet the invaders in the Ziz wadi – a broad valley in the desert – but he reiterated, “This battle is not for you to fight; take your position, stand still, and see the victory of the Lord on your behalf.” (II Chronicles 20:17) As improbable as Jahaziel’s promise might have seemed, the people went forward in faith, singing praise to God. The story comes to its climax in verses 22-23:

As they broke into joyful song and praise, the Lord set an ambush against the Ammonites, the Moabites, and those from Mount Seir who were invading Judah, so that they were routed. For the Ammonites and the Moabites turned on those from Mount Seir, completely destroying them . . . and then they began to destroy each other.

II Chronicles 20:22–23

It is unclear what exactly the “ambush” was, but somehow either confusion or dispute arose among the invading factions, and they ended up attacking one another, bringing such devastation on each other that the invasion came completely to naught. Jahaziel was right when he told the people of Judah to simply “stand still” and see their victory unfold. The story concludes with the people returning to Jerusalem with great joy, worshipping God, and entering a time of “quiet and rest.” (II Chronicles 20:30). The story proclaims that God is at work in ways beyond our apprehension. In the face of a crisis, we are often called to take actions of various sorts; but we need to remember that the greatest Actor is God. We are not alone in the face of great troubles. God is at work with delivering power.

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