Our God, did You not drive out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham Your friend? Our GodThis phrase emphasizes a personal and covenantal relationship between God and His people. The Hebrew word for "God" here is "Elohim," which denotes majesty and power. The possessive "Our" signifies a collective identity and belonging, reminding the Israelites of their unique status as God's chosen people. This relationship is foundational to their identity and mission. did You not drive out
The phrase refers to God's active role in the history of Israel. The Hebrew verb "yarash" means to dispossess or drive out, indicating God's sovereign power in fulfilling His promises. This action is a reminder of God's faithfulness and His ability to overcome obstacles for His people. Historically, this refers to the conquest of Canaan, where God intervened to ensure Israel's victory. the inhabitants of this land
This phrase identifies the Canaanite nations that occupied the Promised Land before Israel's arrival. These inhabitants were often seen as morally corrupt and idolatrous, which justified their removal in the biblical narrative. The land itself, "ha'aretz" in Hebrew, is central to God's covenant with Israel, symbolizing both a physical inheritance and a spiritual promise. before Your people Israel
"Your people Israel" highlights the special status of the Israelites as God's chosen nation. The term "Israel" refers to the descendants of Jacob, who was renamed Israel after wrestling with God. This phrase underscores the idea of divine election and purpose, as Israel is set apart to be a light to the nations. and give it forever
The word "forever" (Hebrew "olam") signifies the eternal nature of God's promises. This promise of land is not just temporal but has an everlasting dimension, reflecting God's unchanging nature and His long-term plan for His people. The land is a perpetual inheritance, symbolizing stability and divine favor. to the descendants of Abraham
Abraham is a central figure in the biblical narrative, known as the father of faith. The Hebrew word "zera" for "descendants" can also mean seed, indicating both physical and spiritual progeny. This promise to Abraham and his descendants is foundational to the covenant relationship, emphasizing faith and obedience. Your friend
The term "friend" (Hebrew "ahav") is a profound designation, indicating a close and intimate relationship with God. Abraham is called God's friend because of his faith and obedience, setting a precedent for the kind of relationship God desires with His people. This friendship is based on trust, loyalty, and mutual commitment, serving as a model for believers. Persons / Places / Events 1. JehoshaphatThe king of Judah who is leading the nation in prayer during a time of crisis. He is seeking God's intervention against a coalition of enemy forces. 2. GodThe central figure in this passage, recognized as the one who drove out the inhabitants of the land and gave it to Israel. 3. The Inhabitants of the LandThe original occupants of Canaan, whom God displaced to give the land to the Israelites. 4. IsraelThe people of God, descendants of Abraham, to whom the land was promised. 5. AbrahamReferred to as God's friend, highlighting the covenant relationship between God and Abraham, which extends to his descendants. Teaching Points God's Faithfulness to His PromisesGod is faithful to His covenant promises, as seen in His actions towards Israel. This encourages believers to trust in God's promises today. The Power of Prayer in CrisisJehoshaphat's prayer is a model for seeking God's help in times of trouble. It reminds us to turn to God first when facing challenges. The Importance of Remembering God's Past WorksRecalling God's past deeds strengthens faith and provides assurance of His continued presence and power. The Significance of Covenant RelationshipsThe reference to Abraham as God's friend underscores the importance of a personal relationship with God, which is available to believers through faith in Christ. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Jehoshaphat's prayer in 2 Chronicles 20:7 reflect his understanding of God's character and past actions? 2. In what ways can remembering God's past faithfulness help us in our current struggles? 3. How does the concept of being a "friend of God," as Abraham was, influence our relationship with God today? 4. What are some practical steps we can take to strengthen our trust in God's promises? 5. How can we apply the lessons from Jehoshaphat's leadership and prayer life to our own roles in our communities and families? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 12:1-3This passage details God's initial promise to Abraham, establishing the covenant that includes the land promise. James 2:23Refers to Abraham as God's friend, reinforcing the special relationship mentioned in 2 Chronicles 20:7. Exodus 23:31Describes the boundaries of the land God promised to Israel, connecting to the fulfillment of the promise mentioned in 2 Chronicles 20:7. People Ahaziah, Ammonites, Aram, Asa, Asaph, Azubah, Benaiah, Berachah, Dodavah, Eliezer, Geber, Hanani, Jahaziel, Jehoshaphat, Jehu, Jeiel, Kohathites, Korahites, Korhites, Levites, Maonites, Mattaniah, Meunim, Meunites, Moabites, Seir, Shilhi, Tamar, Tarshish, ZechariahPlaces Ammon, Edom, Egypt, Engedi, Ezion-geber, Hazazon-tamar, Jeruel, Jerusalem, Mareshah, Moab, Mount Seir, Seir, Tarshish, Tekoa, ZizTopics Age, Descendants, Dispossessed, Drive, Driving, Forever, Friend, Gavest, Hast, Inhabitants, O, SeedDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Chronicles 20:7 5077 Abraham, character
7021 church, OT anticipations
7922 fellowship, with God
8122 friendship, with God 2 Chronicles 20:1-17 8648 enquiring of God Library A Strange Battle
'We have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon Thee.'--2 CHRON xx. 12. A formidable combination of neighbouring nations, of which Moab and Ammon, the ancestral enemies of Judah, were the chief, was threatening Judah. Jehoshaphat, the king, was panic-stricken when he heard of the heavy war-cloud that was rolling on, ready to burst in thunder on his little kingdom. His first act was to muster the nation, not as a military levy …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureHolding Fast and Held Fast
'As they went forth Jehoshaphat stood and said, Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established.'--2 CHRON. xx. 20. Certainly no stronger army ever went forth to victory than these Jews, who poured out of Jerusalem that morning with no weapon in all their ranks, and having for their van, not their picked men, but singers who 'praised the beauty of holiness,' and chanted the old hymn, 'Give thanks unto the Lord, for His mercy endureth for ever.' That was all that men had to do in the battle, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Of the Public Fast.
A public fast is when, by the authority of the magistrate (Jonah iii. 7; 2 Chron. xx. 3; Ezra viii. 21), either the whole church within his dominion, or some special congregation, whom it concerneth, assemble themselves together, to perform the fore-mentioned duties of humiliation; either for the removing of some public calamity threatened or already inflicted upon them, as the sword, invasion, famine, pestilence, or other fearful sickness (1 Sam. vii. 5, 6; Joel ii. 15; 2 Chron. xx.; Jonah iii. …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety The Coast of the Asphaltites, the Essenes. En-Gedi.
"On the western shore" (of the Asphaltites) "dwell the Essenes; whom persons, guilty of any crimes, fly from on every side. A nation it is that lives alone, and of all other nations in the whole world, most to be admired; they are without any woman; all lust banished, &c. Below these, was the town Engadda, the next to Jerusalem for fruitfulness, and groves of palm-trees, now another burying-place. From thence stands Massada, a castle in a rock, and this castle not far from the Asphaltites." Solinus, …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica "Thou Shall Keep Him in Perfect Peace, Whose Mind is Stayed on Thee, Because He Trusteth in Thee. "
Isaiah xxvi. 3.--"Thou shall keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee." Christ hath left us his peace, as the great and comprehensive legacy, "My peace I leave you," John xiv. 27. And this was not peace in the world that he enjoyed; you know what his life was, a continual warfare; but a peace above the world, that passeth understanding. "In the world you shall have trouble, but in me you shall have peace," saith Christ,--a peace that shall make trouble …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning That the Employing Of, and Associating with the Malignant Party, According as is Contained in the Public Resolutions, is Sinful and Unlawful.
That The Employing Of, And Associating With The Malignant Party, According As Is Contained In The Public Resolutions, Is Sinful And Unlawful. If there be in the land a malignant party of power and policy, and the exceptions contained in the Act of Levy do comprehend but few of that party, then there need be no more difficulty to prove, that the present public resolutions and proceedings do import an association and conjunction with a malignant party, than to gather a conclusion from clear premises. …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Commerce
The remarkable change which we have noticed in the views of Jewish authorities, from contempt to almost affectation of manual labour, could certainly not have been arbitrary. But as we fail to discover here any religious motive, we can only account for it on the score of altered political and social circumstances. So long as the people were, at least nominally, independent, and in possession of their own land, constant engagement in a trade would probably mark an inferior social stage, and imply …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Concerning Peaceableness
Blessed are the peacemakers. Matthew 5:9 This is the seventh step of the golden ladder which leads to blessedness. The name of peace is sweet, and the work of peace is a blessed work. Blessed are the peacemakers'. Observe the connection. The Scripture links these two together, pureness of heart and peaceableness of spirit. The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable' (James 3:17). Follow peace and holiness' (Hebrews 12:14). And here Christ joins them together pure in heart, and peacemakers', …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12 Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Chronicles 20:7 NIV2 Chronicles 20:7 NLT2 Chronicles 20:7 ESV2 Chronicles 20:7 NASB2 Chronicles 20:7 KJV
2 Chronicles 20:7 Commentaries
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