It is interesting
that God told Israel to face the enemy "in the wilderness of Jeruel,"
which means "taught by God." In addition, King Jehoshaphat assigned
the praise team to sing praise unto God's holiness and to lead the army out to
face the enemy. "And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set
ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were
come against Judah; and they were smitten" (v. 22 KJV). Here is God's
first lesson to his people.
Evidently, the
Lord's ambush confused the enemy so that he didn't recognize who were allies
and who were enemies. The Lord's ambush further enraged the enemy to such
fervor that he lost all sense of control and was intoxicated with killing to
survive and thus killed one another (v. 23-24). Here is God's second lesson to
his people.
Then it took Israel
three days just to gather the spoil from the enemy (v.25). Truly God was
teaching his people! It seems that Israel learned the lessons because
"they assembled themselves in the valley of Berachah; for there they
blessed the LORD" (v. 26 KJV).
Israel knew it was
the Lord who had made them rejoice over their enemies! Their neighbors began to
fear God "when they heard that the Lord fought against the enemies of
Israel." God was also teaching a lesson to the neighbors of his people.
And Israel enjoyed peace and prosperity because "God gave him rest round
about."
It may be that we
start out not knowing what to do. Perhaps God will direct us into a wilderness
so he can teach us his will. Yet, we may be certain that God will defeat our
enemies and set us free in the valley of blessings where we will rejoice
because of his works.
Dear Father, thank
you for defeating the enemy. Empower us to sing your praise in the face of the
enemy and learn in the wilderness so that we may rejoice in the valley of
blessing. I pray this prayer in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be strong and
courageous in the wilderness and in the valley,
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