Surrounded

Since returning from Israel, several have asked me if I was afraid while I was there.

Nope. Israel has the best intelligence and defense in the world. They have to because they are surrounded by their enemies.

2 Chronicles 21:10, 21, “So Edom revolted against Judah to this day. Then Libnah revolted at the same time against his rule, because he [Jehoram] had forsaken the Lord God of his fathers. …21) Then the Lord stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines and the Arabs who bordered the Ethiopians.”

New American Standard Bible

********

Edom was a country southeast of Judah. Libnah was a city southwest of Jerusalem. Philistia was a country west of Judah and Israel to the north. Ethiopia was southwest.

“Rest from enemies is part of God’s blessing for obedience in Chronicles (14:5-7; 15:15; 1 Chronicles 22:8-9, 18). Righteous kings have victory in warfare (Abijah, Asa, Jehoshaphat, Uzziah, Hezekiah), while wicked rulers experience defeat (Jehoram, Ahaz, Joash, Zedekiah).”
New International Version Study Bible notes on 2 Chronicles 20:30

********

2 Chronicles 20:30, “And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side.”
New International Version

********

When I don’t have peace on every side, I need to examine my heart, motives, and intentions. Every day, I need to evaluate my attitude. I can’t rely on anything in the past. God commended Jehu for doing well, executing what is right, and following His heart, 2 Kings 20:30.

2 Kings 21:31, “But Jehu was not careful to walk in the law of the Lord, the God of Israel, with all his heart; he did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam, which he made Israel to sin.”
New American Standard Bible

********