The 20th Chapter of II Chronicles recounts one of Judah's most spectacular and unusual military victories. Probably most unusual is the fact that instead of using the normal weapons of warfare for this battle, Jehoshaphat employed an army of musicians to spearhead the attack and secure a resounding victory. While it is clear that this victory was the result of sovereign intervention, nevertheless the church musician or dancer cannot help but be drawn to this passage, for it must contain some principles regarding the relationship between artistic craft and the ministry of deliverance through worship. In order to fully extract these principles, it seems reasonable that the account of this victory should not be separated from the events that preceded it, but rather sound be considered the result of a process that still speaks to us today. Let us now examine each phase of this "Jehoshaphat process," and as the apostle Paul said, let it be profitable to us for "doctrine, reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (II Timothy 3:16).

I. Preparation and Training: II Chronicles, Chapters 17 -19

A. Chapter 17:1, 2: Jehoshaphat initiates a military build-up at the local level "in all the fenced ( (walled) cities of Judah."

1. Since "Judah" means "praise," one could liken these cities to local churches where Biblical forms of praise and worship are emphasized and practiced.

2. Like these walled cities, worshiping churches have a strong defense against the attack of the enemy.

3. God is also placing spiritual "forces" in our modern day cities of Judah to give them a powerful offense to break down the strongholds of darkness.

B. Chapter 17:3, 4: Jehoshaphat patterned his life and administration after that of David; thus it should not be surprising that musicians would eventually come to the forefront.

C. Chapter 17:6: Davidic principles produce a zeal for purity in worship.

D. Chapter 17:7-9: Jehoshaphat launches a national teaching campaign in the cities of Judah.

1. In the previous generations, Judah had been without a "teaching priest" (II Chronicles 15:3), but since Jehoshaphat had begun to restore Davidic principles, God released the ministry of the teacher to instruct the people in the "Book of the Law."

2. Likewise in our day of restoration the ministry of teaching is being used to make us aware of our possessions and promises as worshiping believers. As the Spirit and the Word agree, so also Worship and Teaching compliment each other.

a. Revelation 19:10 links worship with the "testimony of Jesus."

b. In Psalm 27:4, one of the things David desired from being in God's presence was to "inquire in His Temple."

3. It is both interesting and vital to note that the Levites were also sent to aid in the teaching of the Law. Their chief responsibility was to provide the musical medium through which this teaching was undoubtedly accomplished. Relevant passages to this account are as follows:

a. Deuteronomy 31:19: Moses uses a song to teach and immortalize the text recorded in Deuteronomy 32.

b. Psalm 119:54: "Thy statutes have been my song...." David confesses to the Lord, to indicate his effort to hide God s Word in his heart. This practice is also confirmed by Talmudic writers.

R. AKIBA calls for the use of chant in the study of the L.aw, by advising the student, "Chant it every day! Chant it every day!" (TALMUD BABLI, Melgilla, 99b)

R. JOHANA'AH states: "'If one reads the Scripture without a melody or recites the mishna without a tune, of him the Scripture says, 'Wherefore I gave them also statutes that were not good"' (Ezekiel 20:25). (TALMUD BABLI, Megilla, 32a)

c. It can be concluded from these and other writings that the Scripture rarely if ever was rendered without cantillation.

d. Nehemiah 8:8 is certainly relevant to II Chronicles 17:9, in fact, there can be little doubt that both passages describe the same learning tradition. Here the Chronicler states that "they read in the book of the Law of God distinctly, and they gave the sense and caused them to understand the reading."

Of this passage Alfred Sendrey writes, "'Reading distinctly' is a clear indication of a rhythmic articulation and melodious inflection of the spoken word, which according to the Oriental conception are indispensable for an expressive declamation."' A. Sendrey, Music in Ancient Israel. London, 1969, p.211

E. Chapter 17:10: The result of the above preparation was that the kingdoms around Judah feared the Lord and made no war against Jehoshaphat.

1. A general truth that can be extracted from this is that when we order our lives after Davidic principles, we can walk in victory and peace.

2. The forces of darkness are bound by fear of us when we live in covenant relationship with God. Through this national teaching campaign, Judah learned to use the high praise of God and the two-edged sword to bind the power of kings (Psalm 149:9). So also we inherit spiritual dominion through God's covenant.

3. One level of maturity in God is to be able to be victorious and to turn back the work of Satan in our lives; but God's perfect will for us is that we walk in peace, never experiencing the struggle to achieve victory.

a. Instead of healing we experience Divine Health.

b. Instead of deliverance we live in Divine order and holiness.

c. Instead of being set free from depression we live a joyous Christian life.

d. Instead of praying only during crises we live a life of prayer.

F. Chapter 17:11-12: Davidic principles brought prosperity to the kingdom. (Psalm 68:29)

G. Chapter 18: This chapter describes Jehoshaphat's contribution to God's plan of peace and prosperity. Jehoshaphat erroneously thought that while God's provision was abundant, he still needed extra "insurance" that Ahab could provide. This error almost cost him his life and in fact allowed the situation( n to arise which brought about the battle of Chapter 20!

H. Chapter 19: This chapter is an account of the personal and national correction of the things that had declined during the episode with Ahab. While Jehoshaphat's relationship with God was completely restored, he would still have to reap the consequences of his disobedience. It should he noted that his personal repentance extended to the rest of the kingdom, restoring a purity of true worship.

II. The Work of God Tested Through Battle: II Chronicles, Chapter 20

Whenever God does a work of correction of growth in our lives, He always allows that work to be tested by adversity. This testing actually strengthens the work of God in the same way that heat can strengthen steel when properly applied. This is brought about because after we have withstood the test, not only are we convinced that God's work is real and effective, but Satan also is convinced! (Isaiah 48:10)

A. Chapter 20:1: As in Jehoshaphat's day we are faced with three enemies that can render us ineffective as believers. Satan cannot snatch us from God's hand, but he can make us ineffective, if we do not strengthen ourselves against attack.

l. "Moab," meaning "ease," was the first enemy. Most Christians who are mature enough will admit that lethargy is one of their chief enemies. We can become forgetful of the great things God has done for us, taking our abundant life in Christ for granted. If this attitude persists, we are less likely to share our fifth with unbelievers, also; our church ministry can become drudgery.

2. "Ammon" means "a people." Most of our problems cannot he attributed to the devil but stem from our relationship with people, even family or church people!

3. The third enemy can be called the "catchall," the Bible calls it the "other beside." This enemy represents the unexpected circumstances that often can be the "last straw" which can bring tremendous pressure upon us.

4. As with Jehoshaphat we are sometimes faced with three enemies at the same time; this is when our - faith is truly put to the test. In verse 3, Jehoshaphat now fears the other kingdoms instead of them fearing him, but God has a prescription for victory.

God's prescription for victory is comprised of the following elements:

B. Chapter 20:3-12: Intercession

1. Jehoshaphat sets his face to seek the Lord. This is the beginning of releasing the power of God to do battle. Jehoshaphat's focus is heavenward throughout this episode. Psalm 24 describes the "generation of them that seek him" as being those who have ascended the hill of God's presence in worship, who have clean hands and a pure heart, and who shall receive the blessing of life promised in Psalm 133. It describes the Lord as being "mighty in battle" on behalf of the praising generation.

2. In his intercession, Jehoshaphat acknowledges God's covenant relationship with His people. In this prayer he invokes both the Abrahamic and Davidic covenants. If we will also acknowledge God's promises in prayer, sending the Word back to Him through the heavens, we begin to make spiritual
warfare in advance of the confrontation.

3. Notice Jehoshaphat's great humility in verse 12 as he publicly recognized his complete dependency on the King of Kings for the answer to their desperate situation. God is the only true authority and the king is nothing more than a subject who stands as a vicarious symbol' of authority for the people's sake. This was the cornerstone of David's reign. In any crisis, we need not know what the solution is but who it is!

4. Verse 13 describes the moment of greatest tension in this drama. This great prayer of intercession has unified all of Judah, even the families, as they were facing the certainty of total genocide and hideous atrocities unless they experienced a sovereign, miraculous deliverance.

C. Chapter 20:14-17: The Prophetic Word - Direction from God

1. God begins to intervene by causing the spirit of prophecy to flow through a musician, a "Levite of the sons of Asaph." This scripture certainly assigns greater importance to our music ministry than we had ever expected, in that our abilities can actually be used to initiate, the sound of God's voice in the midst of crisis. This should he the goal of each worship service to sing a "song of deliverance" to those in crisis. (Psalm 32:7)

2. Notice that it is GOD who fights our battles! Not our worship.

3. Verses 18 and 19 contain an important key to victory, that is, to worship and thank the Lord for His Word and HIs presence before we actually see the fulfillment of His plan. This enables us to boldly act upon His Word without fear and doubting.

D. Chapter 20:21: The prophetic word is confirmed and administered by a presbytery of elders.

1. The appointed musicians constituted the cutting edge of the attack. Jahaziel, the one who had given the prophecy, may well have been the first one to test the validity of the prophecy in battle!

2. Jehoshaphat did not try to direct every aspect of the operation but called upon the musicians to select the appropriate music. They chose a song of Heman and Jeduthun from the Tabernacle of David. (l Chronicles 16:41)

E. Chapter 20:22-25: The War Cry of Praise

1. Our worship and praise confuses the enemy so that his attack becomes self-destructive. When we praise God in the face of crisis we bring Him onto the battlefield, because He literally inhabits those praises. (Psalm 22:3) Thus it is He who sets up the ''ambushment'' on our behalf. Our victory is assured by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony.(Revelation l2:11 )

III. The Victory Celebration: II Chronicles 20:26-28

A. The victors assembled in the valley of Berachah ("blessing") and blessed the Lord. They then organized a victory parade back to Jerusalem.

B. Verses 7-29 describe the delirious joy and great pageantry contributed to maintaining the peace!

IV. Conclusion: As worshipers we engage in the process of spiritual warfare. Implicit in this story of Jehosh-aphat is the concept that worship and specifically music play a part in each phase of battle.

A. Preparation and Training: The Jews had a book of war songs that were used for military training, called the "Book of Jasher" (meaning ('upright''). (Joshua 10:13; II Samuel 1:18) Paul also instructs us in Colossians 3:16 to teach and train one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.

B. Intercession: There is a definite sound of intercession and longing after God that should be heard at times in our services.

C The Prophetic Word: As indicated in I Chronicles 25:1-3, there can be a prophetic aspect to our music that opens the door to deliverance.

D. The War Cry: Psalm 47 says that we are to "shout unto God with the voice of triumph." Not all music is for adoration of the Lord. Some music should be specifically constructed to declare the victory we have in Christ Jesus. (Also see Jeremiah 4:19 and Joel 3:16)

E. The victory Celebration: This element preserves our dominion, the element of joy in expressive celebration. Nehemiah 8:10 says that the joy of the Lord is our strength. Many other references such as Psalm 126 and Psalm 120 confirm this. Thus we may rejoice with Jehoshaphat over all our enemies.

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