Definition: 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 Godâs.
Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from 2 Chronicles 20:15. It’s a really important and dramatic passage about facing a massive enemy! Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Core Idea: This verse is saying that God is actively involved in a battle, but he's not asking you to fight it yourself. He’s setting you up as the leader – Jehoshaphat – and telling you to focus on preparing for something bigger than just a regular war. Let's unpack it piece by piece: "And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat..." - This is a direct address to the people of Judah (which includes parts of modern-day Israel and Palestine) and Jerusalem. It’s calling them to listen to him. "...Thus saith the LORD unto you..." – This is God speaking directly to them. "Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude..." - This is key . He's acknowledging that there will be a huge, overwhelming number of people involved in the battle – a massive army coming to attack Jerusalem. It’s scary, but it’s not about you facing them directly. "...for the battle [is] not yours, but God’s." - This is the most important part! It means that the real battle isn't between you and the enemy. The real fight is against evil – against idolatry (worshiping false gods), rebellion, and wickedness. God is the one who is battling. In short: God is in control of the situation. He’s setting you up as a leader, but he's not asking you to lead the battle yourself. Your job is to prepare – to pray, to be ready, and to focus on God’s plan. Why is this important? This verse describes a pivotal time in Jewish history: the siege of Jerusalem during the reign of Jehoshaphat. It highlights God's power, his sovereignty, and his active involvement in protecting His people. It shows that even when things seem overwhelming, we can still rely on God’s plan to prevail. Do you want me to: Explain a specific aspect of this verse further? Give you some examples of how this principle applies to your life today?