2 Chronicles 20:7

Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever?

2 Chronicles 20:7 (KJV)

Context

King Jehoshaphat faced a vast army of Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunites. In his prayer, he recalls God’s past acts. He calls God “our God,” not merely as Creator, but as the covenant God of Israel. This appeal to history grounds his confidence in the present crisis.

Meaning

The rhetorical question “Art not thou our God” affirms God’s unchanging character. Jehoshaphat remembers that God drove out the inhabitants of Canaan and gave the land to Abraham’s descendants. The phrase “thy friend” points to Abraham’s unique relationship with God, a sign of intimate covenant love. The gift was “for ever,” showing the permanence of God’s promise, though later history shows that continued possession depended on obedience.

Biblical connections

This prayer echoes God’s covenant with Abraham, as recorded in Genesis 17:8, where the land was promised as an everlasting possession. By quoting God’s own promise back to Him, Jehoshaphat models praying Scripture. He bases his plea not on his own merit, but on God’s faithful character and past deliverance.

Application

When facing overwhelming problems, believers can follow Jehoshaphat’s example. Remember God’s past faithfulness and His promises. Pray those promises back to God, trusting that He who acted for Abraham and Israel will act for His people today. This builds confidence and directs the heart toward God’s power rather than the size of the difficulty.

Reflection

God calls Abraham His friend, and this friendship extends to all who share Abraham’s faith. The same God who gave the land remains faithful to His word. Let this truth encourage you to approach Him with boldness, knowing that His covenant love never fails.