The One Year Bible for Men - Flipbook - Page 86
July 27
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think carefully before pronouncing judgment.
Remember that you do not judge to please
people but to please the Lord. He will be with
you when you render the verdict in each case.
7 Fear the Lord and judge with integrity, for
the Lord our God does not tolerate perverted
justice, partiality, or the taking of bribes.”
8 In Jerusalem, Jehoshaphat appointed some
of the Levites and priests and clan leaders in
Israel to serve as judges* for cases involving
the Lord’s regulations and for civil disputes.
9 These were his instructions to them: “You
must always act in the fear of the Lord, with
faithfulness and an undivided heart. 10 When
ever a case c omes to you from fellow citizens
in an outlying town, whether a murder case
or some other violation of God’s laws, com
mands, decrees, or regulations, you must
warn them not to sin against the Lord, so that
he will not be angry with you and them. Do
this and you will not be guilty.
11 “Amariah the high priest will have final
say in all cases involving the Lord. Zebadiah
son of Ishmael, a leader from the tribe of Ju
dah, will have final say in all civil cases. The
Levites will assist you in making sure that jus
tice is served. Take courage as you fulfill your
duties, and may the Lord be with those who
do what is right.”
this Temple where your name is honored. We
can cry out to you to save us, and you will hear
us and rescue us.’
10 “And now see what the armies of Ammon,
Moab, and Mount Seir are doing. You would
not let our ancestors invade those nations
when Israel left Egypt, so they went around
them and did not destroy them. 11 Now see
how they reward us! For they have come to
throw us out of your land, which you gave us
as an inheritance. 12 O our God, won’t you stop
them? We are powerless against this mighty
army that is about to attack us. We do not
know what to do, but we are looking to you
for help.”
13 As all the men of Judah stood before the
Lord with their little ones, wives, and chil
dren, 14 the Spirit of the Lord came upon one
of the men standing there. His name was Ja
haziel son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son
of Jeiel, son of M
attaniah, a Levite who was a
descendant of A
saph.
15 He said, “Listen, all you people of Judah
and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat!
This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid!
Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for
the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16 Tomorrow,
march out against them. You will find them
coming up through the ascent of Ziz at the end
of the valley that opens into the wilderness of
20:1 After this, the armies of the Mo
abites, Jeruel. 17 But you will not even need to fight.
Ammonites, and some of the Meunites* de Take your positions; then stand still and watch
clared war on Jehoshaphat. 2 Messengers the Lord’s victory. He is with you, O people of
came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army from Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or dis
Edom* is marching against you from beyond couraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for
the Dead Sea.* They are already at Hazazon- the Lord is with you!”
18 Then King Jehoshap
tamar.” (This was another name for En-gedi.)
hat bowed low with
3
Jehoshaphat was terrified by this news his face to the ground. And all the people of
and begged the Lord for guidance. He also or Judah and Jerusalem did the same, worship
dered everyone in Judah to begin fasting. 4 So ing the Lord. 19 Then the Levites from the clans
people from all the towns of Judah came to Je of Kohath and Korah stood to praise the Lord,
rusalem to seek the Lord’s help.
the God of Israel, with a very loud shout.
5 Jehoshaphat stood before the commu
20 Early the next morning the army of Judah
nity of Judah and Jerusalem in front of the went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. On the
new courtyard at the Temple of the Lord. 6 He way Jehoshap
hat stopped and said, “Listen to
prayed, “O Lord, God of our ancestors, you me, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem!
alone are the God who is in heaven. You are Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be
ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth. You able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and
are powerful and mighty; no one can stand you will succeed.”
21 After consulting the people, the king ap
against you! 7 O our God, did you not drive
out those who lived in this land when your pointed singers to walk ahead of the army,
people Israel arrived? And did you not give singing to the Lord and praising him for his
this land forever to the descendants of your holy splendor. This is what they sang:
friend Abraham? 8 Your people settled here
“Give thanks to the Lord;
and built this Temple to honor your name.
his faithful love endures forever!”
9 They said, ‘Whenever we are faced with any
22
At the very moment they began to sing
calamity such as war,* plague, or famine, we
can come to stand in your presence before and give praise, the Lord caused the armies
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