Threaten

Definition: to state one's intention to take hostile action against someone in retribution for something done or not done *

Approximate Number of Occurrences in Scripture (15)

Read: 2 Chronicles chapter 20 for full context of this account

2 Chronicles 20:2 (MSG) Jehoshaphat received this intelligence report: "A huge force is on its way from beyond the Dead Sea to fight you. There's no time to waste—they're already at Hazazon Tamar, the oasis of En Gedi."

That Was Then

This is one of the most faith-building accounts in scripture as its message is not focused on the threat, but how we should respond when we are threatened. Jehoshaphat was king of Judah when three larger and stronger enemy nations allied to come against him. As if this news was not bad enough, they were already on the western shore of the Dead Sea and would soon be headed for Jerusalem. Jehoshaphat was afraid, which is not unusual for any leader facing a threat of this magnitude. In fact, the truest test of a leader’s metal can be seen in crisis. Realizing he could not stand against such a vast army, he sought the strong arm of GOD for wisdom and deliverance.

While most rulers would be frantically forming troops and mustering their weaponry, Jehoshaphat assembled all of Judah to fast and seek help from the LORD. He didn’t retreat to his private quarters where he could hide his anxiety. Instead, he stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem in the new court and prayed to GOD. What he prayed was just as significant as how he prayed. Jehoshaphat did not allow their immediate need to overshadow GOD’s invincible power and His promise to protect and deliver them. His prayer was focused and succinct, but immensely powerful (see vs. 5-12). This is evidenced by the immediate response he received from GOD. (It is worth noting that he and all the people of Judah stood united before the LORD and waited for an answer. vs.13)

GOD assured Judah that the battle was not theirs, but His – they would not have to fight. They did, however, have to face their enemy. By taking up their positions and standing firm, they would see the deliverance the LORD would give them. Upon receiving this great news, all of Judah fell down and worshipped the LORD. The next morning, Judah formed ranks in a most unusual way. Instead of the putting the fiercest fighters on the front line, Jehoshaphat assembled a choir and their weapons of mass destruction were praise and worship. As they marched, they sang “Give thanks to the LORD, for His love endures forever”. Ten words of praise invoked the invincible power of GOD's promise, which caused the enemy armies to turn on each other until they were all dead. None got away and Judah did not have to lift anything except their voices. GOD turned this threat into the opportunity of a lifetime as Judah’s economy strengthened as a result of this war. They collected so much plunder (clothes, weapons, equipment and valuables) that it took them three days to gather it all. This account is a wonderful lesson on handling daunting threats that seek to rob us of our peace. Remember: the battle belongs to the LORD and the victory belongs to us.

This is Now

When someone threatens to harm you, themselves or someone else, believe them – please!!! There is no sense or merit in taking a tough guy stance or daring the perp to make a move. More threats to civilian and police safety have emerged across the United States in the recent years and months than the past decade combined. We can scarcely turn on the local news without hearing of a fatal attack on innocent people. In many cases, threats were made verbally or using social media prior to the occurrence. Sadly, in most of those cases, the violence had already been carried out by the time it was discovered or reported.

Concerning the arrest of a 14 year old student who made threats to shoot people at an elementary school on August 21, 2015, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio told the CBS5 news reporter “These situations continue to happen across the nation. We must take every threat seriously.” This is good advice not just for law enforcement officials, but everyone within earshot of someone expressing an intention or desire to harm themselves or another. In this case, someone spoke up and the planned massacre was averted. Unfortunately, this is quickly becoming the exception rather than the rule. We must push past fear and self-preservation to keep ourselves, our loved ones, neighbors, schools and nation safe. Gone are the days when keeping your head down, looking the other way, and a don’t-ask-don’t-tell approach merely results in a harmless scuffle. Lives are being claimed all too regularly by seemingly “normal” people who leave us shocked that they were capable of such heinous crimes.

What’s more regrettable is when we ignored threats made by someone we suspected as being mentally and emotionally fragile, and in the past exhibited unusually aggressive tendencies (either via speech or behavior). “He talked about killing people all the time” was said of Omar Mateen, shooting suspect who opened fire at a gay nightclub, killing 50 people, himself and wounding 53 others in Orlando, Florida, on June 12, 2016. When speaking of her father who, on a murderous rampage killing five people, including her grandmother and cousin before shooting himself, the daughter of a northeast Georgia man told police "He made threats before, but we never thought it would be at this capacity. He's been kind of a ticking time bomb if you want to put in a few words." **

One can’t always predict what someone else is capable of, but threats (whether they are carried out or not) are meant to sound an alarm. In some cases, it is a cry for help from the person making it, and in others, it’s a cry for help for the intended victim. Either way, it should be treated as a call to action and not ignored. Better to involve the authorities prematurely than when it’s too late.

Who Said That?!!!

“The promises of GOD are greater than the threats of the enemy.” – Unknown***

What Do You Say?

AFFIRMATION: "I don't allow my mouth to write checks that my hands can't cash."

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* www.meriam-webster.com,

**http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-georgia-shootings-20160422-story.html,

***www.brainyquote.com