2 chronicles 20:37 - Then Eliezer the son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, “Because you have joined yourself with Ahaziah, Yahweh has destroyed your works.” The ships were wrecked, so that they were not able to go to Tarshish.
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What does "2 chronicles 20:37" mean?
This verse from 2 Chronicles 20:37 describes a prophetic warning and its subsequent fulfillment. Let's break it down:
"Then Eliezer the son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat...": This identifies the prophet (Eliezer) and the target of his prophecy (King Jehoshaphat of Judah). Mareshah was a town in Judah, indicating Eliezer was likely a local prophet. "Prophesied against" means he delivered a negative message.
"...saying, 'Because you have joined yourself with Ahaziah, Yahweh has destroyed your works.'": This is the core of the prophecy. Jehoshaphat had entered into an alliance with King Ahaziah of Israel. Ahaziah was a wicked king, and the prophecy condemns Jehoshaphat for partnering with him. The message is that God is displeased with this alliance and, as a consequence, will "destroy your works" - meaning God will sabotage the ventures that Jehoshaphat undertakes with Ahaziah.
"The ships were wrecked, so that they were not able to go to Tarshish.": This is the fulfillment of the prophecy. Jehoshaphat and Ahaziah had built ships intended to sail to Tarshish (likely a distant trading port known for its wealth, potentially in modern-day Spain). The ships were wrecked (likely in a storm, but presented as an act of divine intervention), rendering the voyage impossible. This event serves as concrete evidence that Eliezer's prophecy was true, and that God indeed disapproved of Jehoshaphat's alliance.
In essence, the verse highlights these key points:
Divine Disapproval of Unholy Alliances: The primary message is that God does not approve of alliances with those who are unrighteous or who do not follow Him. Jehoshaphat, though generally a good king, was rebuked for partnering with the wicked Ahaziah.
Consequences of Disobedience: The shipwreck serves as a direct consequence of Jehoshaphat's disobedience. God's displeasure manifests in the failure of their joint venture.
Prophetic Authority: The verse affirms the role and authority of prophets in ancient Israel. Eliezer's accurate prediction validated his status as a messenger of God. It shows that God speaks through prophets to warn and guide His people.
Sovereignty of God: It underscores God's sovereignty and His active involvement in the affairs of nations. He is not a passive observer, but intervenes to enforce His will and judge actions.
This narrative serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of choosing righteous partners and remaining faithful to God's commands. It shows that even well-intentioned people can suffer consequences for compromising their principles.
2 chronicles 20:37 - Then Eliezer the son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, “Because you have joined yourself with Ahaziah, Yahweh has destroyed your works.” The ships were wrecked, so that they were not able to go to Tarshish.
What does "2 chronicles 20:37" mean?
This verse from 2 Chronicles 20:37 describes a prophetic warning and its subsequent fulfillment. Let's break it down:
"Then Eliezer the son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat...": This identifies the prophet (Eliezer) and the target of his prophecy (King Jehoshaphat of Judah). Mareshah was a town in Judah, indicating Eliezer was likely a local prophet. "Prophesied against" means he delivered a negative message.
"...saying, 'Because you have joined yourself with Ahaziah, Yahweh has destroyed your works.'": This is the core of the prophecy. Jehoshaphat had entered into an alliance with King Ahaziah of Israel. Ahaziah was a wicked king, and the prophecy condemns Jehoshaphat for partnering with him. The message is that God is displeased with this alliance and, as a consequence, will "destroy your works" - meaning God will sabotage the ventures that Jehoshaphat undertakes with Ahaziah.
"The ships were wrecked, so that they were not able to go to Tarshish.": This is the fulfillment of the prophecy. Jehoshaphat and Ahaziah had built ships intended to sail to Tarshish (likely a distant trading port known for its wealth, potentially in modern-day Spain). The ships were wrecked (likely in a storm, but presented as an act of divine intervention), rendering the voyage impossible. This event serves as concrete evidence that Eliezer's prophecy was true, and that God indeed disapproved of Jehoshaphat's alliance.
In essence, the verse highlights these key points:
Divine Disapproval of Unholy Alliances: The primary message is that God does not approve of alliances with those who are unrighteous or who do not follow Him. Jehoshaphat, though generally a good king, was rebuked for partnering with the wicked Ahaziah.
Consequences of Disobedience: The shipwreck serves as a direct consequence of Jehoshaphat's disobedience. God's displeasure manifests in the failure of their joint venture.
Prophetic Authority: The verse affirms the role and authority of prophets in ancient Israel. Eliezer's accurate prediction validated his status as a messenger of God. It shows that God speaks through prophets to warn and guide His people.
Sovereignty of God: It underscores God's sovereignty and His active involvement in the affairs of nations. He is not a passive observer, but intervenes to enforce His will and judge actions.
This narrative serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of choosing righteous partners and remaining faithful to God's commands. It shows that even well-intentioned people can suffer consequences for compromising their principles.