Scripture Commentary — 2 Chronicles 20:1-17
2 Chronicles 20:1-27 — The Moabites and the Ammonites defeat themselves, Judah is spared.
- Verses 1-2
- The Moabites and Ammonites were descendants of Lot, they worshiped idols, and were constantly at war with Judah.
- Verses 3-4
- “feared” = reverence, respect
- “set himself to seek the Lord” – resolve, determination, aggressively pursued the Lord, he did this FIRST and then made war preparations
- Brigham Young was “mystified” at his call to the apostleship and said he only brought one qualification — GRIT!
- “proclaimed a fast” – great spiritual power comes from fasting
- “ask help of the Lord” – they followed their righteous king, compare King Benjamin
- Verses 5-12
- A wonderful prayer
- Verses 12
- “We know not what to do, but our eyes are upon thee” – 1 Nephi 4:6 (“I was led by the spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do…”; Doctrine and Covenants 6:36, “Look unto me in every thought, doubt not, fear not…”
- Verse 14
- A priesthood holder prophesies, “would that all the Lord’s people were prophets”.
- Verse 15
- “The battle is God’s!” – 1 Samuel 17:45-47: “You come to me with sword and spear, but I come to thee in the name of the Lord, for the battle is the Lord’s !”
- Verse 17
- “Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord” – 2 Kings 6:16, “…those that are with us are more than those that be with them…”
- Verses 18-19
- They praised God even before they had fought the battle.
- Verse 20
- Follow God and be established, follow the prophet and prosper.
- Verse 22
- They fought against each other. Do you believe in miracles?
- Verse 25
- It took three days to carry off the jewels, riches, precious things!
- Verse 26
- The valley of ‘blessings’ – They didn’t have to lift a sword but they were ready nonetheless! The miracle didn’t occur until they were marching to war.
- Lessons –
- “We will not retreat though our numbers may be few, when compared with the opposite host in view” (Let Us All Press On)
- As God delivered Judah in this instance, Christ delivers us in our times of need and tribulation.
- We have the hope of happiness in this life, and eternal joy in the life to come (D&C 59:21).
- Matthew 28:20 – “I am with you always, even until the end of the world”.
- Faith PRECEDES the miracle!
- This is a beautiful example of finding beautiful scriptural treasures in unlikely places! The introduction to the chapter is fairly unexciting or remarkable, but great jewels are to be found!
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