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No Odds

Abijah was the new king of Judah. He sat on the throne of his departed father Rehoboam. Jeroboam was still king of Israel. Trouble was ahead as a million two hundred thousand mighty men of war would soon engage in a terrible battle near Mount Zemarim, northwest of the Dead Sea. The odds were against Judah two to one. There were 800,000 warriors of Israel facing 400,000 chosen men of Judah.

What happened next demonstrated the personal courage and Godward confidence of king Abijah. He mustered his troops and went to the mountainside to warn his brothers from Israel. His shout echoed, not only in the valley but through time. Judah’s actions proved that their confidence was in the LORD, God of Israel. Abijah shouted Judah’s obedience and Israel’s disobedience:

  • You have cast out the real priests
  • With your gold calf idols you have displaced the True God
  • The LORD is our God
  • We have not forsaken him
  • We have real priests from Aaron and Levi
  • They sacrifice to God morning and evening
    • There is blood
    • bread
    • a lighted golden lampstand
  • We keep God’s commands
  • You do not
  • God and His priests are with us
  • Don’t fight against God!
  • You cannot win!

During Abijah’s speech king Jeroboam had divided his men and surrounded the army of Judah. It was a plan that had worked before. Israel had used this maneuver to battle against the wicked tribe of Benjamin in the time of the Judges. Saul had used it against Amalek. Joshua had used it at Ai. This time, however, his plan backfired because Jeroboam was fighting against God. When Judah saw their trouble they cried out to Jehovah for his help.

The next moments were stunning. Though outnumbered two to one and surrounded, the priests blew the battle trumpets and the warriors gave a battle shout! In an instant God struck Jeroboam and all of the Israeli army. 500,000 choice men of Israel fell slain. Judah’s victory was great because they obeyed and acted in total dependence on their great God. Jeroboam never recovered from this loss and died soon afterward.

Though the odds may be great, when I obey and trust in my Great God the victory is mine. God loves to show His strength, especially against impossible odds.

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