God grants rest to those who fervently follow Him.
“Now the dread of the LORD was on all the kingdoms of the lands which were around Judah, so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat.” (v.10) Jehoshaphat, who reigned over Judah from approximately 872 BC to 848 BC, made it a priority to strengthen his position by seeking the Lord and removing the idolatrous works of his predecessors. This verse highlights the divine protection that surrounded him: neighboring nations hesitated to engage in combat against Judah. Geographically, Judah lay in the southern part of the region historically occupied by the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, with Jerusalem as its capital. The “dread of the LORD” signifies a profound reverence and awe that God instilled in those nearby kingdoms, effectively deterring them from aggression.
By mentioning that surrounding nations “did not make war” with Jehoshaphat, the verse draws attention to God’s sovereignty and ability to shield those who follow Him. This kind of supernatural protection had also occurred during other times in Israel’s history, such as when the nations feared Israel’s God during the exodus from Egypt. Notably, the concept of divine fear or “dread” is reminiscent of the fear that fell upon adversaries in passages like Joshua 2:9-11, where Rahab confessed that terror of Israel’s God had melted the hearts of her people. This recurring pattern emphasizes God’s power to influence the fates and decisions of entire nations.
Jehoshaphat’s pursuit of spiritual reforms and fidelity to God, described in 2 Chronicles 17 as removing pagan altars and sending out teachers of God’s law, corresponds to the blessing of stability and peace. When the Lord’s people seek Him first (Matthew 6:33), they often experience His guiding hand in their circumstances, reflected here in the calm that surrounded Judah. This also foreshadows in the New Testament how Jesus, the ultimate King, guides and protects His followers in numerous ways, leading them with compassion and authority.
Set to dark mode
2 Chronicles 17:10 meaning
“Now the dread of the LORD was on all the kingdoms of the lands which were around Judah, so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat.” (v.10) Jehoshaphat, who reigned over Judah from approximately 872 BC to 848 BC, made it a priority to strengthen his position by seeking the Lord and removing the idolatrous works of his predecessors. This verse highlights the divine protection that surrounded him: neighboring nations hesitated to engage in combat against Judah. Geographically, Judah lay in the southern part of the region historically occupied by the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, with Jerusalem as its capital. The “dread of the LORD” signifies a profound reverence and awe that God instilled in those nearby kingdoms, effectively deterring them from aggression.
By mentioning that surrounding nations “did not make war” with Jehoshaphat, the verse draws attention to God’s sovereignty and ability to shield those who follow Him. This kind of supernatural protection had also occurred during other times in Israel’s history, such as when the nations feared Israel’s God during the exodus from Egypt. Notably, the concept of divine fear or “dread” is reminiscent of the fear that fell upon adversaries in passages like Joshua 2:9-11, where Rahab confessed that terror of Israel’s God had melted the hearts of her people. This recurring pattern emphasizes God’s power to influence the fates and decisions of entire nations.
Jehoshaphat’s pursuit of spiritual reforms and fidelity to God, described in 2 Chronicles 17 as removing pagan altars and sending out teachers of God’s law, corresponds to the blessing of stability and peace. When the Lord’s people seek Him first (Matthew 6:33), they often experience His guiding hand in their circumstances, reflected here in the calm that surrounded Judah. This also foreshadows in the New Testament how Jesus, the ultimate King, guides and protects His followers in numerous ways, leading them with compassion and authority.