Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah for about 20 years after starting out as co-regent with Asa his father. Jehoshaphat assumed full power about 60 years after the death of King Solomon who had ruled over Judah as well as all of Israel until his death in 930 BC. During his reign, Jehoshaphat introduced many reforms in Judah especially in worship and the judicial system.. He was a godly King and he knew what to do when a crises threatened the well being of his people. This is what I would like our focus on.
Jehoshaphat had been very successful in moving Judah (not to mention many in their sister kingdom (northern Israel) closer to being in covenant relationship with the Lord. But in 2 Chronicles 20:1ff, there is a sudden shift in the story as Jehoshaphat is confronted with devastating news about a massive army from the southeast that had mobilized on his southern flank and was ready to pounce on Judah which was badly exposed because somehow this threat had gone unnoticed until it was really too late to do anything about it. But Judah’s King was not about to give in to panic although he was deeply troubled. Interestingly, there is no mention of his meeting with his “cabinet” to discuss war strategy or for that matter to discuss the terms of a possible surrender. He may have consulted with his advisors although this is not mentioned by the Chronicler; but what is mentioned is that he proclaimed a fast for all of Judah. It didn’t seem to be optional either. Apparently “everybody” showed up because “the people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed they came from every town in Judah” (20:4).
Golf courses were closed, baseball games and the basketball play-offs were indefinitely postponed, vacations cancelled, “sacred” children’s soccer games put on hold, picnics disrupted, family reunions suspended, weekend barbecues and family visits suddenly ditched; and all the TV channels were carrying one story, namely, the King’s “opening day” prayer and boy was it a powerful plea for help. It ends with those immortal words: “..for we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.” It was also observed that: All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood there before the Lord.” (See 20:12,13). What a scene that must have been.
This portion of scripture speaks volumes to me. It shouts loudly to me that we have lost our sense of urgency in the face of all that is happening all around us. It seems that the walls of judgment are closing in on this country while the church generally fails to miss a beat with our feverous schedule of activities and casual worship patterns. Here in Lomontville we are in the midst of a search for future pastoral leadership. How we handle this undertaking no doubt will determine whether we have a viable future or not and whether it will really matter what name we end up calling our church. Do I see a fast on the horizon? This may prove to be inconvenient if it’s done right, but Jehoshaphat would say: “Baby, fasting is not about convenience.”
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