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The Abiding Gift of Prophecy - Contents
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    Jehoshaphat Believes the Prophets

    One of the most remarkable instances of divine interposition and deliverance from overwhelming danger that has ever been recorded occurred a little later in the reign of Jehoshaphat. A great army of three nations—the Moabites, the Ammonites, and the inhabitants of Mount Seir—was invading the land of Judah. In great distress and anxiety, Jehoshaphat proclaimed a fast throughout the land. Before a large congregation assembled in the courts of the temple, he cried mightily to God for deliverance. An assuring response came at once from heaven, through the Lord’s established method of communication with His people:AGP 130.2

    “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, and thou King Jehoshaphat, 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.” 2 Chronicles 20:14-17.

    This message was accepted by the king and all the people, as from the Lord. As they proceeded to carry out the prophet’s instruction, the king declared to them this fundamental truth: “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 130.3

    As they demonstrated their belief that God had spoken through the prophet upon whom the Spirit of the Lord had come, the Lord wrought a marvelous victory for them on the battlefield. Their enemies, being thrown into confusion, destroyed themselves.AGP 130.4

    When the army of Israel came within sight of the battlefield, “they looked unto the multitude, and, behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and none escaped.” Verse 24.AGP 131.1

    This experience made a profound impression upon the triumphant army of Jehoshaphat, and upon all Israel who witnessed their return. So we read:AGP 131.2

    “Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in the forefront of them, to go again to Jerusalem with joy; for the Lord had made them to rejoice over their enemies…. And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries, when they had heard that the Lord fought against the enemies of Israel. So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet: for his God gave him rest round about.” Verses 27-30.

    Still later King Jehoshaphat brought upon himself another reproof from a prophet of the Lord. He allied himself to Ahaziah, a “king of Israel, who did very wickedly,” and together they attempted to revive the great maritime trade of the time of Solomon. They built a large fleet of merchant ships at the northern end of the Red Sea.AGP 131.3

    “Then Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, the Lord hath broken thy works. And the ships were broken, that they were not able to go to Tarshish.” 2 Chronicles 20:37.AGP 131.4

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