Psalm
83 describes a coalition of at least ten Gentile nations that attempted to wipe
Israel off the face of the earth. Most of the commentaries I studied connect
this Psalm with King Jehoshaphat's great victory over them in a miraculous way.
2 Chronicles 20 is the record of this event. When King Jehoshaphat heard that
they were coming he immediately turned to the LORD and called the people to do
the same. “And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and
proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. So Judah gathered together to ask help
from the LORD; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD”
(2 Chronicles 20:3-4).
Israel
has been the object of hatred and opposition since their years in Egypt, but God
has kept His promises and preserved them (Gen. 12:1-3). Pharaoh, Haman in the
book of Esther, Hitler, and every other would-be destroyer of the Jews has
ultimately been humiliated and defeated. Even in my lifetime in 1967, in what
is known as the Six-Day War, Israel was surrounded and attacked by three Arab
nations determined to drive them into the sea. In those six days, Israel
defeated these three Arab armies, gained territory four times its original size,
and became the preeminent military power in the region.
This
reminds us that the church of Jesus Christ is likewise hated and attacked by
the world (John 15:18-19; 17:14), and like the Jews in Asaph's day, our defense
is in prayer and faith in God's promises (Acts 4:23-31). Commenting on this Psalm,
Alexander Maclaren wrote, "The world is up in arms against God's people,
and what weapon has Israel? Nothing but prayer." But is there any better
weapon? As he saw the enemy armies surrounding Israel, Asaph lifted three
heartfelt requests to the Lord.
In
verses 1-8, Asaph prayed and asked the Lord, see what is happening! It is
interesting to note that two names of God open the psalm—Elohim and El, and two
names close it—Jehovah and El Elyon (God Most High). The last name reminds us
of Abraham's victory over the kings and his meeting with Melchizedek (Gen.
14:18-20). It is possible that Asaph was troubled because the Lord had said
nothing through His prophets and done nothing through His providential workings
to stop the huge confederacy from advancing. Literally he prayed, "Let
there be no rest to you" (see Psalm 28:1-2; 35:21-22; 39:12; 109:11; Isa.
62:6). These were God's enemies, attacking God's people, and threatening God's
"protected ones" (Psalm 27:5; 31:21), so it was time for God to take
notice and act!
The
invaders were many, they were united, and they proudly lifted their heads as
they defied the Lord God of Israel. They had secretly plotted together but were
now "roaring like the sea" (v. 2 "tumult"). Their purpose
was to destroy God's people and take possession of the land (v. 12). It appears
that Moab and Ammon, the incestuous sons of Lot (Gen. 19), were the leaders of
the coalition, encouraged by Assyria, which was not yet a world power (v. 8).
Moab
and Ammon would come from the east, along with the Ishmaelites, and Edom would
come from the southeast along with their neighbor Gebal. Ishmael was the enemy
and rival of Isaac (Gen. 21:1-21). The Hagerites lived northeast of Israel and
the Amalekites lived southwest. The people of Philistia and Phoenicia (Tyre)
were west of Israel. The enemy came against Israel from every direction and had
the people surrounded! But King Jehosaphat prayed with the nation and God sent
a prophet with an encouraging message of victory. (2 Chronicles 20:14-19).
My
friend, today you might feel that you are surrounded by trouble and trials beyond
your strength to face. Please believe the promises of Jesus to be with you, and
He will fight your battles for you!
God bless!
