They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones.
The verse pictures hostile powers taking secret, shrewd counsel together and forming a united plan against God's people. Those attacked are God's own people, called His hidden ones. In Jehoshaphat's prayer and crisis the verse refers to the mortal threat then facing Judah.
The historical coalition was Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir coming together against Judah. Their purpose was to drive God's people out from the inheritance given them. Their deeper aim was to destroy Israel as a nation and wipe its very name from remembrance. The verse thus voices Judah's plea for God to confound those enemies so that His own name would be glorified.
The same plotting applies in the end time to the humble, faithful minority who obey God's law. Against them will unite persons of influence together with rulers, ministers, and church members, working with contempt, false charges, threats, ridicule, and oppressive laws to undermine their faith. In the coming conflict over the Bible Sabbath, legislation enforcing Sunday observance will supply the force that their arguments lack. God will in the end vindicate His truth and His people.
The verse pictures hostile powers taking secret, shrewd counsel together and forming a united plan against God's people. Those attacked are God's own people, called His hidden ones. In Jehoshaphat's prayer and crisis the verse refers to the mortal threat then facing Judah.
The historical coalition was Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir coming together against Judah. Their purpose was to drive God's people out from the inheritance given them. Their deeper aim was to destroy Israel as a nation and wipe its very name from remembrance. The verse thus voices Judah's plea for God to confound those enemies so that His own name would be glorified.
The same plotting applies in the end time to the humble, faithful minority who obey God's law. Against them will unite persons of influence together with rulers, ministers, and church members, working with contempt, false charges, threats, ridicule, and oppressive laws to undermine their faith. In the coming conflict over the Bible Sabbath, legislation enforcing Sunday observance will supply the force that their arguments lack. God will in the end vindicate His truth and His people.