Israel Tested by a Prophet

It is well said that there is no crisis with God. He is never taken by surprise. He is never thrown into confusion, as we poor mortals often are. He knew all about the great awakening in regard to the coming of the Lord and the disappointment of 1844. At the right moment He sent a message through the prophetic gift to His sincere people. The manifestation of the gift of prophecy at this crisis was quite similar to the working of that gift in a former crisis of God’s people.AGP 256.3

Word came to Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, “There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria.” Three powerful enemy nations had joined together against Israel, to crush them and drive them out of the land the Lord had given them to inherit. They knew not how to meet the situation, except to seek God for understanding and help.AGP 256.4

In this crisis the king “set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah gathered them. selves together, to ask help of the Lord: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.” 2 Chronicles 20:1-4. In the midst of this alarmed and bewildered gathering, Jehoshaphat offered mighty intercession to the Lord for help. In his prayer he said: “We have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon Thee.” Verse 12.AGP 257.1

“Then upon Jahaziel … came the Spirit of the Lord in the midst of the congregation; and he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, … Thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s…. Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them: for the Lord will be with you. And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the Lord, worshiping the Lord.” Verses 14-18.AGP 257.2

In obedience to the words of the prophet, the people “rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa” to meet the great multitude.AGP 257.3

“And as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe His prophets, so shall ye prosper.” Verse 20.AGP 257.4

Israel believed that God had spoken to them through the prophet, and they went forth to the battlefield. But while they were on the way, “the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten. For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another. And when Judah came toward the watchtower in the wilderness, theyAGP 257.5

looked unto the multitude, and, behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and none escaped.” Verses 22-24.AGP 258.1

The Lord allowed this crisis to come to Israel for their good. It alarmed them, and awakened them to a realization of their utter dependence upon God. It led them into His presence to make earnest supplication for help. It gave them fresh evidence of His willingness to hear, His readiness to help, and His great power to save from their enemies. The experience brought to Israel a very helpful lesson.AGP 258.2