Lives of Scripture
Jahaziel (M)
First named in 2 Chronicles 20:14
Jahaziel was a Levite of the sons of Asaph, son of Zechariah in a genealogy traced back through several generations (2 Chronicles 20:14). When a vast coalition of Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunites marched against Judah, King Jehoshaphat, afraid, proclaimed a fast and gathered the whole nation at the temple to seek the LORD (20:1-13). In the midst of that assembly, "the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel," and he prophesied: "Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: thus says the LORD to you, 'Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God's... you need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf'" (20:15-17). Jehoshaphat and the people bowed and worshiped in response. The next morning, as Judah's singers went out ahead of the army praising God, the LORD caused the invading armies to turn on and destroy one another, and Judah found only plunder left to gather (20:20-25). Jahaziel's single recorded act -- a Spirit-empowered word spoken at exactly the moment of national terror -- turned a certain military disaster into a bloodless deliverance, and his prophecy became one of Scripture's clearest declarations that the battle, and the victory, belong to the LORD.
Thought for Today
Jahaziel promised Judah that 'the battle is not yours but God's.' Jesus already won our battle with sin; we simply trust him and stand.
References: 2 Chronicles 20:14
Genealogy
Connections
- Zechariah (M) — begot → Jahaziel (M)
- Jahaziel (M) — encouraged → Jehoshaphat (M)
The Spirit of the LORD came on Jahaziel in the temple assembly, announcing that God himself would fight the Moabite-Ammonite coalition for Judah.
2 Chronicles 20:14-17