An encouraging word from 2 Chronicles 20
Biblical Israel Ministries & Tours (BIMT) is all about teaching the Bible in the context of the land of Israel and other biblical countries (Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Greece, and Italy). We teach the historical geography of the Bible as well as archaeology, customs and culture of the land. We aim to make connections between the Bible and the land in all that we do. In this post, we share a shorter five-minute devotional word from Israel, specifically from the area of Ein Gedi. Devotions from Israel is our latest series of teachings that we are happy to share with you today!
2 Chronicles 20 is our text for this devotional. The setting is the oasis of Ein Gedi. This is where three invading armies from the east side of the Dead Sea are gathered. They are advancing westward towards Jerusalem, where Jehoshaphat is the king of Judah. At first the king is “alarmed” (the Hebrew word is fearful) upon hearing the news of a possible attack on the capital. Yet he resolves to see God in the midst of this predicament. He prays to God, “Lord, we don’t know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.” I suggest that this is the key verse in the entire narrative! Underline it in your own Bible!
As the story progresses, all of Judah come to Jerusalem for a prayer and fasting gathering. The people humble themselves and seek God’s guidance. They then march eastward through the deserts of Tekoa and Judea to confront these armies. Standing on the Ascent of Ziz (the cliff overlooking Ein Gedi, the last slide), they see the hand of God intervene in a miraculous way.
I suggest reading the entire narrative yourself.
“When we really don’t know what to do during a crisis of any kind, this is the time to look to God for help, strength, and intervention. He will never leave us nor forsake us in times of trouble.”
