REASONS WHY PSALM
83 IS STILL FUTURE
The chart below is designed to answer the objection by some who say that the Psalm 83 passage has already been fulfilled. Here are examples provided
as the fulfillment of Psalm 83. (1) 2 Chronicles 20 and the “battle” of Jehospaphat. (2) The second example is the 1967 Six Day War in modern Israel.
There are several reasons why we understand Psalm 83 as having a yet future fulfillment. That is, the examples of Chronicles and the Six Day War do not
satisfy the particulars of Psalm 83. This chart shows why they do not qualify as fulfilment, and why we still look for a future fulfillment.
• Moab (2Ch.20:1) [inhabitants of Mt Seir]
• Children of Ammon (2Ch.20:1)
The passage points out that the LORD told
Israel to leave the children of Lot (Ammon and
Moab) alone as they left Egypt (2Ch.20:10).
Now, here they are about to attack Israel. The
writer almost seems to challenge the LORD
for letting them alone in the past.
ATTACKERS RESULT
ATTACKERS PLAN
ATTACKERS INTENT
Dates: (c.849 BC)
Does 1967 (Six-Day War) Fulfill Psalm 83?
ATTACKERS NAMED:
• Syria
• Jordan
• Egypt
• Iraq
1967
SIX-DAY
WAR
THE
ATTACKERS NAMED
Does 2 Chronicles 20 Fulfill Psalm 83?
ATTACKERS NAMED:
Reasons Why Not Fulfilled
ATTACKERS NAMED:
1
• “The tabernacles of Edom” • “Ammon”
• “Amalek”
• “Ishmaelites”
• “Philistia”
• “Moab”
• “Inhabitants of Tyre”
• “Hagrites”
• “Assur” (Assyria)
• “Gebal”
The number of attackers in both Chronicles and in the Six Day
War of 1967 only mentions a few of the nations that will be
involved as seen in the Psalm 83 prophecy.
Dates: (June 5-10th AD 1967)
ATTACKERS INTENT:
ATTACKERS INTENT:
ATTACKERS INTENT:
The attackers appeared to desire to take the
land from the nation of Israel (2Ch.20:11)
It almost seems no matter what motives may be
presented here will be met with objections. Some
may say the attackers intent was to re-claim Israel’s
land, or simply to destroy Israel altogether. These
certainly are true, but we are sure many more
intentions may be listed.
They do say, “Let us take to ourselves the houses of
God in possession” (Ps.83:12). However, the overwhelming
sense of the Psalm 83 attackers is not to take land or spoil from
the nation of Israel. No, their motives are more spiritual. They
do not want the very name of Israel to be remembered (Ps.83:4).
• They say, “Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation”
(Ps.83:4)
• Their intent is that “the name of Israel may be no more in
remembrance” (Ps.83:4)
OBVIOUS PLAN SIMPLY TO OVERTAKE ISRAEL:
OBVIOUS PLAN SIMPLY TO OVERTAKE ISRAEL:
CRAFTY PLAN OF DECEPTION:
There is no deceptive plan here. Israel even
knows ahead of time that the attackers are
coming.“Then there came some that told
Jehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great
multitude against thee …” (2Ch.20:2)
The war began with a large-scale surprise air strike
by Israel on Egypt. Opinions are divided whether
Israel’s attack was an act of aggression or a
preemptive strike of a defensive nature.
The counsel of the attackers seems to be deceptive. They
“have taken crafty counsel against thy people” (Ps.83:3) It
is as if they do not want the rest of the world to know their true
plans. Ultimately, they want everything to look like the whole
thing is caused by Israel.
RESULT- ATTACKERS TEMPORARILY DESTROYED:
RESULT- ATTACKERS TEMPORARILY DESTROYED:
In the 1967 War the enemies were defeated but not
destroyed. In fact these same armies fought Israel
again just 6 years later in 1973 (Yom Kipper War).
Also, these same armies exist even today.
Result: Egyptian tanks were destroyed in the Sinai
Desert. Israeli forces reached the Suez Canal. The
whole of the west bank of the Jordan River had
been cleared of Jordanian forces. The Golan
Heights were captured from Syria, and Israeli forces
moved 30 miles into Syria. Now the whole city of
Jerusalem is in control of Israel (taking the rest of
the 'West Bank'). The Sinai Peninsula taken from
Egypt.
RESULT- ATTACKERS DESTROYED FOREVER:
“Behold, I say, how they reward us, to come to
cast us out of thy possession, which thou hast
given us to inherit.” (2Ch.20:11)
The attackers were wiped out by the LORD in
the Chronicles passage in the days of
Jehoshaphat (2Ch.20). The Lord sets Israel's
enemies against each other, and they defeat
themselves.
“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.” (2Ch.20:15)
“And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of
those countries, when they had heard that the
LORD fought against the enemies of Israel.”
(2Ch.20:29)
2
3
4
Psalm 83 seems to indicate the defeated armies will end
their military and leadership because of the War
(Ps.83:10-11, 17).
In fact, verse 17 says the effect of the war will be forever. This
certainly cannot to attributed to either Chronicles or the Six-Day
War. One more point from this verse is that the attackers learn
the LORD’s name, Jehovah. The attackers of the past continue
in their religion.
“Which perished at Endor: they became as dung for the earth. Make
their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb: yea, all their princes as Zebah,
and as Zalmunna” (Ps.83:10-11)
“Let them be confounded and troubled for ever; yea, let them be put
to shame, and perish” (Ps.83:17)
Tom Elseroad • 02-28-2011 • Psalm 83 Not Yet Fulfilled.cdr