2 Chronicles 20:7
Did you not, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend?
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Notice how the plea isn't just about God's past actions, but also about His character and His promises. They remind Him that He gave the land and called Abraham His "friend," highlighting a deep, established relationship that shouldn't be broken. This isn't just a historical recap; it's a powerful appeal to God's faithfulness to His word and His people.
King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah are facing an overwhelming enemy army, and in their fear, they gather at the temple to pray. This verse is part of their prayer, reminding God of His promises and His past faithfulness to their ancestors. By recounting God's actions, they're building their faith and reminding themselves that the God who helped them before is still with them.
When facing overwhelming odds, where do you turn for courage? Sometimes, the best way forward is to look back.
Looking Back to Move Forward
King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah were facing an impossible situation – a massive army was marching against them. In their fear, they gathered in Jerusalem to seek the Lord.
Jehoshaphat's prayer in this verse is a powerful reminder that when we're overwhelmed, we can find strength by recalling God's past actions. He doesn't just ask God to fix the current problem; he reminds God (and himself!) of God's faithfulness in previous generations. He highlights how God actively intervened and gave the land to Israel, showing that God's power and promises are consistent.
What does it mean to be called God's 'friend'? It's more than just a casual acquaintance; it signifies a deep, committed relationship.
A Covenant Relationship
Calling Abraham 'your friend' isn't just a nice-sounding title. In the ancient Near East, calling someone a 'friend' often implied a covenant relationship – a sworn commitment of loyalty and protection.
God established a covenant with Abraham, promising him descendants and a land. This verse highlights that the promise of the land was tied to this special relationship. Abraham's faithfulness and trust in God, even when tested, earned him this distinguished title and secured God's lasting commitment, not just for Abraham but for his 'descendants forever.'
The prayer in 2 Chronicles 20 references the historical memory of God's faithfulness in granting the land to Israel, contrasting it with their current vulnerability and dependence on Him during a time of invasion.
c. 1400 BC
Israelites Enter Promised Land
After 40 years of wandering, Joshua led the Israelites into the land of Canaan, fulfilling God's promise to Abraham.
c. 1300-1050 BC
Period of the Judges
A time of cycles where Israelites often strayed from God, leading to oppression by surrounding nations and subsequent deliverance through judges.
c. 1050 BC
United Monarchy Established
Saul, David, and Solomon ruled as kings, expanding the kingdom and establishing Jerusalem as its capital. This marked a period of relative stability and national strength.
931 BC
Kingdom Divides
Following Solomon's death, the united kingdom split into two: the northern Kingdom of Israel and the southern Kingdom of Judah.
722 BC
This passage details God's initial promise to Abraham, outlining the land inheritance that 2 Chronicles 20:7 refers back to as a foundational covenant.
Deuteronomy 7:1-6This text mirrors the idea of God driving out nations before Israel, providing the theological and historical context for the action King Jehoshaphat is referencing.
Joshua 1:1-6Here, God reiterates His promise to give the land to the descendants of Abraham, emphasizing that it is His gift and power that will secure their possession, just as Jehoshaphat trusts.
Nehemiah 9:7-8This prayer also recalls God's faithfulness in choosing Abraham and giving the land of Canaan, highlighting the continuous theme of God's covenantal promises throughout Israel's history.
Notice how the plea isn't just about God's past actions, but also about His character and His promises. They remind Him that He gave the land and called Abraham His "friend," highlighting a deep, established relationship that shouldn't be broken. This isn't just a historical recap; it's a powerful appeal to God's faithfulness to His word and His people.
King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah are facing an overwhelming enemy army, and in their fear, they gather at the temple to pray. This verse is part of their prayer, reminding God of His promises and His past faithfulness to their ancestors. By recounting God's actions, they're building their faith and reminding themselves that the God who helped them before is still with them.
King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah are facing an overwhelming enemy army, and in their fear, they gather at the temple to pray. This verse is part of their prayer, reminding God of His promises and His past faithfulness to their ancestors. By recounting God's actions, they're building their faith and reminding themselves that the God who helped them before is still with them.
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Fall of the Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquered the northern Kingdom of Israel, deporting many of its inhabitants and scattering them.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The Babylonian Empire conquered the southern Kingdom of Judah, destroyed Jerusalem and its Temple, and exiled much of the population to Babylon. This was a catastrophic loss of land and national identity.
c. 444 BC— this verse
Nehemiah Rebuilds Jerusalem's Walls
After the return from exile, Nehemiah led the effort to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, facing significant opposition. This event highlights the ongoing struggle to re-establish a secure presence in the land.
"Did you not, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend?" — Notice how the plea isn't just about God's past actions, but also about His character and His promises. They remind Him that He gave the land and called Abraham His "friend," highlighting a deep, e…
