2 Chronicles 25
-This chapter describes the events of the inconsistent and
sometime tumultuous 29 year reign of Amaziah, son of Joash. At times he seemed
wise and followed the right in the sight of the LORD. At other times he acted
foolishly and presumptuously in pride, even giving in to idolatry during his tenure as
the king of Judah (2 Chronicles 25:2). He proved faithful in relenting to a
plan he devised in his own mind to use hired warriors for his army from the
idolatrous kingdom of Israel. The man of God warned him to send them back from
going with Judah into battle, and Amaziah agreed at the word of the LORD even
though he had already paid them 100 talents, for “The LORD has much more to
give you than this (2 Chronicles 25:9). This upset the northern neighbors, and
they raided the cities of Judah while Judah was off to the east defeating the
sons of Seir at the Valley of Salt (Dead Sea area). The dichotomy of Amaziah’s victory
over the sons of Seir was in taking their Edomite gods back to worship them and
incurred the anger of the LORD (2 Chronicles 25:14-15). These gods were not able
to deliver, and the LORD sent His prophet for correction, which in a sense Amaziah
took counsel. The only problem is that he remained foolish in his pride to go to
war again with Joash, king of Israel, even though he had been warned. This led to
his defeat and embarrassment as he was captured and the city of Jerusalem ransacked
with portions of the wall being torn down (2 Chronicles 25:16-25). At the end of
his life he turned away from following the LORD and some of the righteous conspired
against him. He fled to Lachish to the south, but he was eventually killed there.
He was brought back on horses and buried in the city of Judah unheralded and unfaithful
to the God of his fathers (2 Chronicles 25:26-28).
-*Application* Being consistent is a great character trait to
possess. We see an inconsistent life in this king, and it should alert us to stay
faithful in our own walk with God. We would be wise to listen to Amaziah’s ancestor
Solomon’s words in Proverbs 3:5-6, which state “Trust in the LORD with ALL your
heart and do NOT lean on your own understanding. In ALL your ways acknowledge Him,
and He will make your paths straight.” Stay true in all you do as you follow Jesus
all your days. Cultivate consistency in the walk of faith. Don’t be a yo-yo or a
roller coaster Christian.
Verse to Memorize: 2
Chronicles 25:9
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