2 Chronicles 20:24-37

content/bible_journal/2chronicles/20:24-37.md

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+title = "2 Chronicles 20:24–37"
+date = "2025-02-26"
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+
+### [Read the passage.](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/2Chronicles20.24-37)
+
+By the time the invaders had slaughtered themselves, the men of Judah arrived to look upon the destruction.
+From the watchtower of that spot in the wilderness, they were able to see their dead enemies.
+Now, armies carry lots of useful things with them on campaign, so Jehoshaphat and his army goes down to take what they can get.
+
+And what they can get is a ridiculous amount.
+It takes them three days to take away all of the spoil, which is a testament to God's blessing on his people.
+The invading coalition was set on conquering Judah, and armies have to carry in what they plan to use.
+So they may have been three times bigger than Judah's army, which would be a sure victory under most circumstances.
+However, the list of what Judah took is a bit odd.
+"Goods, clothing, and precious things," it says. (_v. 25_)
+Goods probably includes food and materials you'd expect in army supplies.
+Arrows, whetstones, leather and such for making repairs.
+Everyone needs clothing, and they wouldn't be uniforms like we think of in a modern context.
+But "precious things" sounds like gold, silver, and jewelry.
+Maybe it's not, because it could be precious goods like oil and salt, but the King James Version does translate these words as "precious jewels".
+Furthermore, the Christian Standard Bible makes it clear that these things aren't just in the supply lines, but on the bodies of the fallen directly.
+
+In any case, what is clear is that the Lord not only saved His people from destruction, but also enriched them at the same time.
+The people's response of joy and praise with music is entirely appropriate.
+Word of this incident also got out to the surrounding nations, and no one dared try anything like that against Judah for the rest of Jehoshaphat's reign.
+
+The reign of Jehoshaphat is summarized in the end of the chapter.
+He is given a good grade by the Chronicler for following the Lord faithfully in his policies and personal walk.
+But he didn't do everything right, because the high places of idolatrous or syncretic worship remained, and he also kept making alliances with the wicked kings of northern Israel.
+Ahab's son Ahaziah helped Jehoshaphat build ships to sail to Tarshish, but the Lord caused them to be wrecked before they could reach their destination.
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+* * *
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+Even when we see no way out of a situation, You are there to turn calamity into blessing.