2 Chronicles 20:12

2 Chronicles 20:12 captures the essence of King Jehoshaphat's desperate yet faithful prayer during a national crisis, articulating both profound human helplessness and absolute reliance on God.

Context

This powerful verse is spoken by King Jehoshaphat of Judah when his kingdom faced an overwhelming invasion from a vast coalition of Moabites, Ammonites, and inhabitants of Mount Seir. Instead of resorting to military might or political maneuvering, Jehoshaphat immediately proclaimed a national fast, gathering the people in the temple court in Jerusalem to seek God's intervention. His prayer, spanning 2 Chronicles 20:5-12, acknowledges God's supreme power and reminds Him of His covenant promises, culminating in this honest confession of Judah's dire situation and their unwavering trust.

Key Themes

• Confession of Helplessness: Jehoshaphat's honest admission, "we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do," is a crucial aspect of seeking divine help. It highlights that true dependence on God begins with recognizing our own inadequacy when faced with challenges beyond human capability.
• Absolute Dependence and Trust: The pivotal phrase, "but our eyes [are] upon thee," signifies a complete turning from human solutions to divine intervention. It is a profound declaration of unwavering faith and expectation that only God can provide the necessary guidance and deliverance. This posture of faith is essential for experiencing God's miraculous power.
• Prayer as the First Resort: The entire narrative underscores the importance of prayer, especially corporate prayer, in times of overwhelming crisis. Jehoshaphat's example encourages believers to make God their immediate and ultimate source of help, rather than a last resort.
• Appeal to Divine Justice: The opening plea, "O our God, wilt thou not judge them?", is an appeal to God's righteousness and His commitment to His people, asking Him to intervene on their behalf against unjust aggressors.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase for "our eyes [are] upon thee" (עֵינֵינוּ אֵלֶיךָ, 'eineinu eileicha) conveys more than just a physical gaze. It implies an intense, hopeful, and expectant focus—a complete reliance and looking to God as the sole source of help, wisdom, and deliverance. It suggests an attitude of humble submission and confident anticipation that God will act.

Related Scriptures

Jehoshaphat's prayer is a timeless example of trusting God in impossible situations. His declaration of helplessness and turning to God echoes the sentiment found in Psalm 121:1-2, "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD." This prayer sets the stage for God's miraculous response, as seen in God's immediate prophetic word to Jehoshaphat and the incredible victory described in 2 Chronicles 20:22, where the enemies were supernaturally defeated without Judah striking a single blow.

Practical Application

For believers today, 2 Chronicles 20:12 provides a powerful blueprint for navigating personal and collective crises. When we face overwhelming odds, spiritual battles, or situations where we truly "know not what to do," this verse teaches us to:

• Humbly admit our limitations: Acknowledge that our own strength, intellect, or resources are insufficient.
• Prioritize prayer: Make seeking God's face our first and most important response.
• Fix our gaze on God: Cultivate a heart of expectant trust, believing that God is able to provide solutions and deliverance beyond our comprehension. This posture of faith in God as our refuge and strength allows Him to work powerfully on our behalf.

This verse is a constant reminder that in our weakness, God's strength is made perfect, and His wisdom guides us when our own fails.