This verse from 2 Chronicles 20:3 describes King Jehoshaphat's reaction to an impending crisis and his subsequent actions:
"Jehoshaphat was alarmed...": This indicates that Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, was afraid or worried about something serious. The preceding verses in 2 Chronicles 20 tell us that a vast army from Moab, Ammon, and Mount Seir was advancing against Judah. This was a significant threat to his kingdom's survival.
"...and set himself to seek to Yahweh.": This is the key part of the verse. Instead of immediately turning to military strategies or alliances, Jehoshaphat's first response was to seek God's help. "To seek to Yahweh" means he turned to God in prayer, asking for guidance, protection, and deliverance. He recognized that Judah's ultimate safety depended on divine intervention.
"He proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.": A fast is a period of abstaining from food and drink as an act of religious devotion and humility. By proclaiming a fast throughout Judah, Jehoshaphat called on all his people to join him in seeking God's favor and mercy. This was a public display of their reliance on God and their repentance for any sins that might have displeased Him. The fast was a way to demonstrate sincerity and seriousness in their prayers.
In summary, this verse shows that King Jehoshaphat responded to a dangerous situation by acknowledging his fear and turning to God in prayer. He called the entire nation to join him in a fast as a way to seek God's intervention and protection. It highlights Jehoshaphat's faith and his understanding that God was the source of their strength and deliverance.
This verse from 2 Chronicles 20:3 describes King Jehoshaphat's reaction to an impending crisis and his subsequent actions:
"Jehoshaphat was alarmed...": This indicates that Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, was afraid or worried about something serious. The preceding verses in 2 Chronicles 20 tell us that a vast army from Moab, Ammon, and Mount Seir was advancing against Judah. This was a significant threat to his kingdom's survival.
"...and set himself to seek to Yahweh.": This is the key part of the verse. Instead of immediately turning to military strategies or alliances, Jehoshaphat's first response was to seek God's help. "To seek to Yahweh" means he turned to God in prayer, asking for guidance, protection, and deliverance. He recognized that Judah's ultimate safety depended on divine intervention.
"He proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.": A fast is a period of abstaining from food and drink as an act of religious devotion and humility. By proclaiming a fast throughout Judah, Jehoshaphat called on all his people to join him in seeking God's favor and mercy. This was a public display of their reliance on God and their repentance for any sins that might have displeased Him. The fast was a way to demonstrate sincerity and seriousness in their prayers.
In summary, this verse shows that King Jehoshaphat responded to a dangerous situation by acknowledging his fear and turning to God in prayer. He called the entire nation to join him in a fast as a way to seek God's intervention and protection. It highlights Jehoshaphat's faith and his understanding that God was the source of their strength and deliverance.