This collage by visual artist Nicora Gangi explores God's promise of deliverance in 2 Chronicles 20:15-17.
Details
Year
Medium
Dimensions
Artist Curated by
Scripture
2 Chronicles 20:15–17
15 And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16 To morrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel. 17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still , and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.
Nicora Gangi
He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s......You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.”
Written is God’s speedy and gracious answer to Jehoshaphat’s prayer — reassuring him and all of Judah to ‘Be Not Afraid.’ They admitted fear enough to bring their petitions to God! The Lord God then gives them the motions of the enemy and orders the people of Judah to march towards them with particular directions where they should find the enemy. He assures them that they should be the joyful spectators of the total defeat of the enemy: “You shall not need to strike a stroke; only stand still and see it.” (2 Chron. 20:17)
This is not dissimilar from other passages in Scripture in which the Lord through Moses said: “God is with you, who is able to do his work himself, and will do it. If the battle be his, the victory shall be his too.” (Exod. 14:13)
This passage is perfect Christ encouragement: all of our battles, are HIS. His grace is all sufficient. Trust. God ALWAYS leads.
Nicora Gangi was educated at Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, USA (BFA 1974 and MFA 1976). She was a Professor of Art at Syracuse University for 29 years. Gangi has been awarded many Grand Prize and First Place awards and grants. She has been and continues to be published in numerous artist’s books on pastel paintings. She has lectured regionally and nationally as a visiting artist at universities and artist’s guilds. She is represented by: Edgewood Gallery (Syracuse, NY), and Gangi Studio (Winter Garden, FL).