A Valley Full of Spoils
“When Judah came to the place overlooking the wilderness, they looked at the multitude; and behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and there were none who escaped. When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take their plunder, they found among them in abundance both riches and dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away. They took plunder for three days, it was so much. On the fourth day, they assembled themselves in Beracah Valley, for there they blessed Yahweh. Therefore the name of that place was called “Beracah Valley” to this day.” (2 Chronicles 20:24-26 WEB)
The inward picture of a valley filled with spoils resonated strongly with me today.
Yet, I didn’t see any dead bodies, but only the good things. It’s like God saying that the trials and troubles we go through are to be counted as nothing, in comparison to the great blessings that will be ours.
“looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2 WEB)
Like how Jesus focused on the joy that would come after the cross—the joy of reconciling us to God, we can also look beyond our present sufferings and see the great good that will come thereafter.
With God, we are always living with hope because we can confidently expect good things to happen to us, even if our current circumstances are not ideal.
What caused the spoils to be accumulated in Berecah Valley? Let’s look at the story:
“They rose early in the morning, and went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. As they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah, and you inhabitants of Jerusalem! Believe in Yahweh your God, so you will be established! Believe his prophets, so you will prosper.” When he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to Yahweh, and give praise in holy array, as they go out before the army, and say, “Give thanks to Yahweh; for his loving kindness endures forever.” When they began to sing and to praise, Yahweh set ambushers against the children of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were struck. For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir to utterly kill and destroy them: and when they had finished the inhabitants of Seir, everyone helped to destroy another.” (2 Chronicles 20:20-23 WEB)
Jehoshaphat and the armies of Judah did not depend on their swords and chariots for the victory. Instead, Jehoshaphat made praise their weapon of choice.
Without relying on the flesh, he exalted Yahweh God and proclaimed His love and grace.
At these words, God fought for Judah, and all the enemies killed each other. Judah didn’t have to fight at all because Yahweh fought for them.
Whether you are in good or undesirable circumstances right now, this truth never changes: God is always good, and His love and grace endures forever.
So, go ahead, praise Him and see all your enemies, obstacles and hindrances taken out of the way like they are nothing. You will pick up an abundance of spoils, and the Lord Jesus will be greatly exalted through your testimony, in the sight of all!
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