But Jeroboam caused an ambush to go around behind them; so they were in front of Judah, and the ambush was behind them. And when Judah looked around, to their surprise the battle line was at both front and rear; and they cried out (ṣâ‘aq, tsa'aq or call) to the Lord, and the priests sounded the trumpets. Then the men of Judah gave a shout (rua=war cry); and as the men of Judah shouted,
it happened that God struck Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah.
2 Chron 13:13-15
The spiritual war is raging around us. No question! As times intensify, the question is how do we position ourselves to meet the challenges today? Before going further, God loves all our prayers, big or small. He loves it when we set our hearts to seek Him and promises that we will find Him when we do so. However, in seasons when God’s judgments manifest, how do we pray to maintain our boundary lines, hope, peace with Him and not succumb to the fear and distractions we see around us? Furthermore, Isaiah states, "For when your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness," Is 26:9. In other words, some of the distressing things we face are allowed by God to help us learn righteousness. When and how are we to fight in such an environment?
2 Chronicles 13 relays an interesting story of Abijah, King of Judah, facing a war with Jeroboam, King of the northern kingdom of Israel. Abijah's army was half the size of Jeroboam's. The story parallels today when we see the enemy waging war. It can seem like the odds are stacked against us. However, awakening to what concerns God and issuing the war cry leads to victory. It is worth a look as there are keys in the story to waging war today. Understanding these keys will usher us from our usual prayer life and intercession into the governmental decrees that shift atmospheres and makes way for the Kingdom to advance as our cry becomes the war cry.
Personal testimony:
In processing this message, I felt compelled to relay the reality of this shift in a practical way. The present-day intensity of the warfare, reminds me of a time in my life when we were under severe spiritual attack threatening aspects of nearly every part of our lives, including our children’s lives. In a time of despair, I remember plainly lying face down on my bed, crying out to God, “Why, Lord?” I could not understand the severity of the attack and why the Lord was taking us through such a horrific trial. Suddenly, a very clear voice broke through with these words, “Are you just going to take it?” The words stopped me in my track. The hurricane in my head abruptly stopped. It felt as if a giant pair of hands took me by the collar, lifted me out of bed, stood me up on my feet as a literal spiritual make-over re-constructed my inner being. Turning full circle, the breath of God took over, and I began to scream, “No, I will not take this anymore!” A spiritual reformation began, and a spirit of breakthrough birthed in me. It has never left. What I thought was the worst experience in the world birthed a kingdom dynamic in me that has never departed. It was a transformative spiritual moment bearing fruit for what was and is to come.
The Shift into Awakening:
Similarly, as times intensify and news we face is increasingly hard to take, God is beckoning us to step forward. The dismay, discouragement, offense, frustration of what we see is real. However, the very circumstances that vex us are an invitation to "Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this," Rev. 4:9. They are a call to an awakening, to search out what concerns God. 2 Chronicles 13 describes a story of this notable shift. Jeroboam, King of the northern kingdom of Israel, with 800,000 men of war, had come against Abijah, King of Judah, with 400,000 men. Abijah stood on the mountains of Ephraim shouting his declarations of faith, 2 Chron 13: 4. Meanwhile, Jeroboam’s men moved to hedge them in from behind and before. Suddenly, during Abijah's declarations, the army of Judah realizes they are surrounded by the enemy and cry out in dismay, "And when Judah looked around, to their surprise the battle line was at both front and rear; and they cried out, (Heb. tsa'aq), to the Lord," 2 Cor 13:14. Similarly, today, we can find ourselves surrounded by the pressures of our culture. In dismay, frustration, and even anger, we can find ourselves crying out to God in response to the rebellion and anarchy at our front door.
This crying out is the Hebrew word "Tsa'aq" (צָעַק ṣâ‘aq or tsa'aq). The word connotes an alertness to trouble that catalyzes an awakening and releases a cry of anguish in us. It will incite a gathering for agreement with others. Its first mention is in Genesis 4:10, when God rebukes Cain after he kills Able, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground.” It is a cry of distress that issues an alert. Other examples:
The War Cry:
The “War Cry,” the rua, is a sure sound. It leaves no room for doubt or dismay. In our story it was a pivotal sound. “Then the men of Judah gave a shout (war cry); and as the men of Judah shouted, it happened that God struck Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah,” 2 Chron 13:15. With the “War cry,” the edict of heaven is released. As Judah suddenly realizes they are surrounded by the enemy and cry out to God, the priests sounded the trumpets. Something shifted. A sound was ushered forth. The men of Judah "Gave a war cry," (rua) v. 15. The "War cry," or Heb. rua, is a different stance than tsa'aq. It is a stance that moves us beyond our prayers, petitions, and even declarations into a catalytic posture between God and what we see on earth. It is a position of full trust in God. Doubting and despair have dropped off our radar, and God’s courtroom is in order, waiting for the decree. Numbers 10:9 describes rua:
“When you go to war in your land against the enemy who oppresses you, then you shall sound an alarm with the trumpets, and you will be remembered before the Lord your God, and you will be saved from your enemies,” Numbers 10:9
Joel 2:1 says, “Blow the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in My holy mountain!” This is no simple declaration, it is a catalytic decree under the surety of God’s hand. Rua is transformative and yields victory when applied:
Whenever the “Rua” war cry was issued, there was victory for the Lord. The awakening cry and dismay of our circumstances shifts into a full trust in the Lord and a war cry leads to victory. Here is a breakdown of the differences:
2 Chronicles 13 relays an interesting story of Abijah, King of Judah, facing a war with Jeroboam, King of the northern kingdom of Israel. Abijah's army was half the size of Jeroboam's. The story parallels today when we see the enemy waging war. It can seem like the odds are stacked against us. However, awakening to what concerns God and issuing the war cry leads to victory. It is worth a look as there are keys in the story to waging war today. Understanding these keys will usher us from our usual prayer life and intercession into the governmental decrees that shift atmospheres and makes way for the Kingdom to advance as our cry becomes the war cry.
Personal testimony:
In processing this message, I felt compelled to relay the reality of this shift in a practical way. The present-day intensity of the warfare, reminds me of a time in my life when we were under severe spiritual attack threatening aspects of nearly every part of our lives, including our children’s lives. In a time of despair, I remember plainly lying face down on my bed, crying out to God, “Why, Lord?” I could not understand the severity of the attack and why the Lord was taking us through such a horrific trial. Suddenly, a very clear voice broke through with these words, “Are you just going to take it?” The words stopped me in my track. The hurricane in my head abruptly stopped. It felt as if a giant pair of hands took me by the collar, lifted me out of bed, stood me up on my feet as a literal spiritual make-over re-constructed my inner being. Turning full circle, the breath of God took over, and I began to scream, “No, I will not take this anymore!” A spiritual reformation began, and a spirit of breakthrough birthed in me. It has never left. What I thought was the worst experience in the world birthed a kingdom dynamic in me that has never departed. It was a transformative spiritual moment bearing fruit for what was and is to come.
The Shift into Awakening:
Similarly, as times intensify and news we face is increasingly hard to take, God is beckoning us to step forward. The dismay, discouragement, offense, frustration of what we see is real. However, the very circumstances that vex us are an invitation to "Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this," Rev. 4:9. They are a call to an awakening, to search out what concerns God. 2 Chronicles 13 describes a story of this notable shift. Jeroboam, King of the northern kingdom of Israel, with 800,000 men of war, had come against Abijah, King of Judah, with 400,000 men. Abijah stood on the mountains of Ephraim shouting his declarations of faith, 2 Chron 13: 4. Meanwhile, Jeroboam’s men moved to hedge them in from behind and before. Suddenly, during Abijah's declarations, the army of Judah realizes they are surrounded by the enemy and cry out in dismay, "And when Judah looked around, to their surprise the battle line was at both front and rear; and they cried out, (Heb. tsa'aq), to the Lord," 2 Cor 13:14. Similarly, today, we can find ourselves surrounded by the pressures of our culture. In dismay, frustration, and even anger, we can find ourselves crying out to God in response to the rebellion and anarchy at our front door.
This crying out is the Hebrew word "Tsa'aq" (צָעַק ṣâ‘aq or tsa'aq). The word connotes an alertness to trouble that catalyzes an awakening and releases a cry of anguish in us. It will incite a gathering for agreement with others. Its first mention is in Genesis 4:10, when God rebukes Cain after he kills Able, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground.” It is a cry of distress that issues an alert. Other examples:
- Genesis 27:34 Esau’s cry when he realizes Jacob had stolen his birthright
- Genesis 41:55 The cry of the people of Egypt when there was a famine in the land
- Exodus 5:8, 15 The cry of the Israelites when Pharaoh laid extra work on them in making bricks
- Isaiah 65:14 Response to judgments by unbelievers, “Behold, My servants shall sing for joy of heart, but you shall cry for sorrow of heart.”
The War Cry:
The “War Cry,” the rua, is a sure sound. It leaves no room for doubt or dismay. In our story it was a pivotal sound. “Then the men of Judah gave a shout (war cry); and as the men of Judah shouted, it happened that God struck Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah,” 2 Chron 13:15. With the “War cry,” the edict of heaven is released. As Judah suddenly realizes they are surrounded by the enemy and cry out to God, the priests sounded the trumpets. Something shifted. A sound was ushered forth. The men of Judah "Gave a war cry," (rua) v. 15. The "War cry," or Heb. rua, is a different stance than tsa'aq. It is a stance that moves us beyond our prayers, petitions, and even declarations into a catalytic posture between God and what we see on earth. It is a position of full trust in God. Doubting and despair have dropped off our radar, and God’s courtroom is in order, waiting for the decree. Numbers 10:9 describes rua:
“When you go to war in your land against the enemy who oppresses you, then you shall sound an alarm with the trumpets, and you will be remembered before the Lord your God, and you will be saved from your enemies,” Numbers 10:9
Joel 2:1 says, “Blow the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in My holy mountain!” This is no simple declaration, it is a catalytic decree under the surety of God’s hand. Rua is transformative and yields victory when applied:
- It was the shout that blew down the walls of Jericho, “And the seventh time it happened, when the priests blew the trumpets, that Joshua said to the people: ‘Shout, for the Lord has given you the city!’” Joshua 6:16.
- It was the shout that Gideon’s army released when they defeated the Midianites, Judges 7:21.
- It was the shout that shook the earth when the ark of the covenant of the Lord came into the camp, 1 Samuel 4:5.
- It was the shout that the Israelite army released after David slew Goliath, and mobilized a victory against the Philistines, 1 Samuel 17:52.
Whenever the “Rua” war cry was issued, there was victory for the Lord. The awakening cry and dismay of our circumstances shifts into a full trust in the Lord and a war cry leads to victory. Here is a breakdown of the differences:
|
Tsa’aq (Cried out)
Earnest prayer Petitions/Declarations God Hears Respond to the call Looking at disaster React to difficult situation Anguish, despair Ignited by fear or alarm Call together and assemble God prepares us |
Rua (War Cry)
Shout of Faith Decrees of His Word God Answers Commissioned to the call Overcoming Disaster Take Action Readiness and Trust Ignited by Faith Advance God uses us |
Both of these types of prayer and encounters with God are tools in our war chests. Knowing when and how to apply them can yield great victory. The challenges today are compelling us to come out of complacent stances, realize we are in a war, sharpen our tools and to know when and how to use them. Understanding both tsa'aq, and rua prayers propel us into higher levels of engagement with God and subsequent advance of His Kingdom.
Practical Application:
What do these cries sound like? Tsa’aq prayer moves us out of a place of standard friendly prayer or declaring God's Word into a place of attention. Trouble is coming, and God is alerting us. We may not have the answer yet, but our radar is definitely elevated. The Word of God becomes a declaration or quest for God's answers. It is God's alert system for our lives. Rua, on the other hand, mobilizes and catalyzes us into a transformative stance before the Lord where all questioning, doubt, unbelief falls to the ground. Total trust in God and His Word takes over. The energy behind our voices is propelled by the Holy Spirit. Our words are catalyzed beyond our control releasing breakthrough. Often in these states, this rua bypasses our mind. The words just flow. In fact, rua is taken from רוּחַ rûaḥ, or Spirit of God, Genesis 1:1. Ruah is the creative force of God behind creation. Because it is such a powerful stance, God answers. In this story, God responded to the "War Cry" of the Israelites and led them into a mighty victory. Furthermore, Abijah went on in his life to grow mighty 2 Chron 13:21. Jeroboam did not recover strength again in the days of Abijah, 2 Chron 13:20. Abijah and Judah received the fruit of tsa'aq and rua prayer.
Applying Wisdom
One last note, in times of judgments, which we are in, we need to know when and how to yield into these positions lest we wear ourselves out. Some things cannot be prayed away for God is working out His plan. Ultimately both stances are called forth by the Spirit and through relationship with Him. The story of Abijah and Jeroboam is a lesson in leaning not on our own understanding, but leaning into God in times of distress. We need to understand the times to engage. Tsa'aq and Rua prayer will put us in a position to understand both the justice and mercy of God. He is a loving Father who will discipline His children and who desires all to come to a knowledge of Him. As we face certain judgments, let us remember God sits on a throne whose foundations are justice and righteousness, Psalm 89:14. He is working out a powerful redemptive plan. Isaiah writes, “With my soul I have desired You in the night, Yes, by my spirit within me I will seek You early; for when Your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.” Isaiah 26:9. He will use all things together for good for those who love Him.
We are at a great gateway to salvation, like my personal experience, the difficulties we face now are heralding a spiritual birth and unfolding of God's redemptive plan. God is calling us to engage and move into transformative prayer. Like Judah when the northern kingdom came against them, we are being pressed in from behind and before. As we face the trials of this time, God is ushering forth a sound that calls us out of our "usual life" modes into a kingdom dynamic that yields victory. Through the tsa'aq prayer we don't give up, but rather press through the smoke screen before us to apprehend God's heart. When the time is right, by His Spirit, the war cry, rua, is released and we will see the mighty hand of God yield breakthrough and victory for His Kingdom.
Susan Rowe
The Global Watch
Practical Application:
What do these cries sound like? Tsa’aq prayer moves us out of a place of standard friendly prayer or declaring God's Word into a place of attention. Trouble is coming, and God is alerting us. We may not have the answer yet, but our radar is definitely elevated. The Word of God becomes a declaration or quest for God's answers. It is God's alert system for our lives. Rua, on the other hand, mobilizes and catalyzes us into a transformative stance before the Lord where all questioning, doubt, unbelief falls to the ground. Total trust in God and His Word takes over. The energy behind our voices is propelled by the Holy Spirit. Our words are catalyzed beyond our control releasing breakthrough. Often in these states, this rua bypasses our mind. The words just flow. In fact, rua is taken from רוּחַ rûaḥ, or Spirit of God, Genesis 1:1. Ruah is the creative force of God behind creation. Because it is such a powerful stance, God answers. In this story, God responded to the "War Cry" of the Israelites and led them into a mighty victory. Furthermore, Abijah went on in his life to grow mighty 2 Chron 13:21. Jeroboam did not recover strength again in the days of Abijah, 2 Chron 13:20. Abijah and Judah received the fruit of tsa'aq and rua prayer.
Applying Wisdom
One last note, in times of judgments, which we are in, we need to know when and how to yield into these positions lest we wear ourselves out. Some things cannot be prayed away for God is working out His plan. Ultimately both stances are called forth by the Spirit and through relationship with Him. The story of Abijah and Jeroboam is a lesson in leaning not on our own understanding, but leaning into God in times of distress. We need to understand the times to engage. Tsa'aq and Rua prayer will put us in a position to understand both the justice and mercy of God. He is a loving Father who will discipline His children and who desires all to come to a knowledge of Him. As we face certain judgments, let us remember God sits on a throne whose foundations are justice and righteousness, Psalm 89:14. He is working out a powerful redemptive plan. Isaiah writes, “With my soul I have desired You in the night, Yes, by my spirit within me I will seek You early; for when Your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.” Isaiah 26:9. He will use all things together for good for those who love Him.
We are at a great gateway to salvation, like my personal experience, the difficulties we face now are heralding a spiritual birth and unfolding of God's redemptive plan. God is calling us to engage and move into transformative prayer. Like Judah when the northern kingdom came against them, we are being pressed in from behind and before. As we face the trials of this time, God is ushering forth a sound that calls us out of our "usual life" modes into a kingdom dynamic that yields victory. Through the tsa'aq prayer we don't give up, but rather press through the smoke screen before us to apprehend God's heart. When the time is right, by His Spirit, the war cry, rua, is released and we will see the mighty hand of God yield breakthrough and victory for His Kingdom.
Susan Rowe
The Global Watch
