A life that points to Christ
Jehoshaphat
From Jehoshaphat we learn to seek God first when we are overwhelmed, to confess honestly that we do not know what to do, and to face our battles with worship and trust. His life teaches prayerful dependence, and it points to the God who fights for His people.
“O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.”2 Chronicles 20:12
“And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.”2 Chronicles 20:15
“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.”2 Chronicles 20:20
“And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever.”2 Chronicles 20:21
Their story, honestly
Jehoshaphat was a king of Judah who sought the LORD and taught His law throughout the land. When a vast alliance of armies came against him, he was afraid, but he set himself to seek God, proclaimed a fast, and gathered the nation to pray. His prayer ended with striking honesty: we have no might against this great company, neither know we what to do, but our eyes are upon thee. God answered that the battle was not theirs but His, and told them to stand still and see His salvation. Jehoshaphat sent singers ahead of the army to praise God, and the enemy destroyed itself. Judah gathered the spoil and returned rejoicing.
What their life teaches us
First, Jehoshaphat teaches where to turn first; overwhelmed, he sought God before strategy. Second, he teaches the freedom of honest helplessness; his prayer admitted, we know not what to do, but our eyes are upon thee, which is one of the truest prayers in Scripture. Third, he teaches faith that worships before the victory is seen; he sent praise ahead of the battle, trusting God's promise. His story shows that our part is often to seek God, stand firm, and trust, while the outcome that we cannot manage belongs to Him.
How their life points to Christ
Jehoshaphat was told, the battle is not yours, but God's, and he watched the LORD save His people while they stood still. That is the heart of the gospel: salvation is God's work, not ours, and our part is to trust the deliverance He accomplishes. Jesus fought and won the decisive battle against sin and death alone, so that we too are saved not by our might but by His. Jehoshaphat's worship before an unseen victory points to the church, who praises the risen Christ for a triumph already won on the cross.
Questions people ask
What is the key lesson of Jehoshaphat's prayer?
Honest dependence. Facing an unbeatable army, he prayed, we have no might against this great company, neither know we what to do, but our eyes are upon thee. It teaches that admitting our helplessness while fixing our eyes on God is real faith, and God meets it.
Why did Jehoshaphat send singers before the army?
Because God had promised the victory, so he responded with worship before he saw the result. Sending praise ahead of the battle was an act of trust in God's word. It models faith that worships in advance, resting on God's promise rather than on visible circumstances.