Definition: And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Chronicles 20:20. It's a really important passage about a massive battle happening during the time of King Judah. Here’s what it means in simple terms: The Situation: A Huge Threat: The verse tells us that the enemy, led by Jeroboam, was planning to attack Jerusalem and its surrounding areas. They were determined to destroy the city. God's Call to Action: God called for a massive military response – a “battle” – to defend his people. What Did King Jehoshaphat Do? Early Morning Rise: The soldiers rose very early in the morning. This was a sign of serious urgency and preparation. Into the Wilderness: They went into a large, remote area called the “wilderness of Tekoa.” The wilderness is a place of isolation and focus – it’s a bit like a secret place to prepare. Jehoshaphat Speaks: King Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, took over and spoke to the people. He gave them a clear message: “Hear me, O Judah…” - This is addressing King Judah specifically. “Ye inhabitants of Jerusalem…” – He’s talking to the people in Jerusalem. “Believe in the LORD your God…” – This means to worship and give thanks to God. “…so shall ye be established.” - This is a promise! If you believe in God, it promises that you will be protected and blessed. “Believe his prophets…” - This emphasizes the importance of listening to the messages delivered by God’s messengers (the prophets). “…so shall ye prosper.” – This means your lives will be filled with good things, success, and happiness. In a Nutshell: King Jehoshaphat was urging his people to believe in God and listen to the prophets . He told them to do this immediately to be protected and blessed, leading to prosperity for their city. It’s basically a powerful call to prayer and faith during a time of great danger. Why is this important? This verse highlights that God's plans are often revealed through messengers and that our faith is vital for protection and blessing. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of the verse? Connect it to a specific event in biblical history?