2 Chronicles 20:6

And said, O LORD God of our fathers, [art] not thou God in heaven? and rulest [not] thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand [is there not] power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?

And said {H559}, O LORD {H3068} God {H430} of our fathers {H1}, art not thou God {H430} in heaven {H8064}? and rulest {H4910} not thou over all the kingdoms {H4467} of the heathen {H1471}? and in thine hand {H3027} is there not power {H3581} and might {H1369}, so that none is able to withstand {H3320} thee?

he said: "ADONAI, God of our ancestors, you alone are God in heaven. You rule all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and strength, so that no one can withstand you.

and said, β€œO LORD, God of our fathers, are You not the God who is in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand, and no one can stand against You.

and he said, O Jehovah, the God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and art not thou ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? and in thy hand is power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee.

Commentary

2 Chronicles 20:6 is a powerful declaration of faith and a foundational statement within King Jehoshaphat's prayer, offered during a time of immense national crisis for Judah. Facing an overwhelming coalition of armies, Jehoshaphat turns to God, acknowledging His supreme authority and irresistible power.

Context

The immediate backdrop to this verse is the invasion of Judah by the combined forces of the Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunim (2 Chronicles 20:1). When King Jehoshaphat received news of this vast army, his initial reaction was fear. However, his fear quickly transformed into a determined resolve to seek the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah (2 Chronicles 20:3-4). This verse is part of the profound prayer he offered before the assembly in the house of the Lord, appealing to God's character and past faithfulness.

Key Themes and Messages

  • God's Supreme Sovereignty: The rhetorical questions "art not thou God in heaven?" and "rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen?" are not expressions of doubt, but rather emphatic affirmations of God's absolute rule over all creation and all nations. This highlights His transcendence and ultimate authority over earthly affairs.
  • Irresistible Power: The declaration "in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?" underscores God's omnipotence. It asserts that His strength is absolute and that no human or spiritual force can successfully oppose His will or His purposes. This truth is a cornerstone of biblical theology, echoed in passages like Daniel 4:35.
  • Reliance on God in Crisis: Jehoshaphat's prayer demonstrates the proper response to overwhelming circumstances: acknowledging human weakness and God's strength. Instead of relying on military might or political maneuvering, he places his complete trust in God's ability to deliver.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses a series of rhetorical questions in this verse, a common Hebrew literary device. These questions are designed to elicit an obvious "yes" answer, thereby emphasizing the undeniable truth of the statements. They serve to build a powerful argument for God's intervention, reminding both God (in prayer) and the assembled people of His undisputed attributes. The term "heathen" (גּוֹיִם, goyim) refers to the gentile nations, often those not worshipping the God of Israel, further highlighting God's rule even over those who do not acknowledge Him.

Strategic Cross-References

  • For further insight into God's ultimate power and sovereignty, consider Psalm 115:3, which states, "But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased."
  • The idea that no one can withstand God is also found in Isaiah 43:13: "yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it?"
  • Jehoshaphat's prayer continues with an appeal to God's covenant faithfulness, as seen in 2 Chronicles 20:7.

Practical Application

2 Chronicles 20:6 offers profound encouragement for believers today. When faced with challenges that seem insurmountable, whether personal, national, or global, this verse reminds us to look beyond the immediate crisis to the character of God. It teaches us to:

  • Pray with Confidence: Our prayers should be rooted in a deep understanding of who God is – sovereign, powerful, and faithful. This confidence can transform fear into faith.
  • Acknowledge God's Control: Even when circumstances appear chaotic or out of control, God remains on His throne, ruling over all kingdoms and events. This perspective brings peace.
  • Trust in His Ability: No problem is too big for God. His might is absolute, and He is able to deliver in ways we cannot imagine, just as He did for Jehoshaphat and Judah (see 2 Chronicles 20:22-24).

This verse serves as a powerful anchor for faith, reminding us that our God is indeed "God in heaven," and His hand holds all power and might.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 4:39 (8 votes)

    Know therefore this day, and consider [it] in thine heart, that the LORD he [is] God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: [there is] none else.

  • 1 Chronicles 29:11 (8 votes)

    Thine, O LORD, [is] the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all [that is] in the heaven and in the earth [is thine]; thine [is] the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.

  • 1 Chronicles 29:12 (8 votes)

    Both riches and honour [come] of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand [is] power and might; and in thine hand [it is] to make great, and to give strength unto all.

  • Daniel 4:17 (5 votes)

    This matter [is] by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.

  • Psalms 47:8 (4 votes)

    God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.

  • Daniel 4:25 (3 votes)

    That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.

  • Isaiah 66:1 (3 votes)

    ΒΆ Thus saith the LORD, The heaven [is] my throne, and the earth [is] my footstool: where [is] the house that ye build unto me? and where [is] the place of my rest?