May 15, 2020

Chapter 25 highlights the rule of Amaziah. Amaziah is an interesting study, to say the least. Up to this point in Chronicles, we have seen kings who either, “did what was right in the eyes of the Lord” and God made them great rulers, or they did not do what was right and God ended their reign. Amaziah doesn’t exactly fit into either of these categories.

Verse 2 of this chapter really tells the whole story. It says, “And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, yet not with a whole heart.” In the next couple of verses, Amaziah kills his servants that killed his father but chose to spare their children. He did that to follow the Law of Moses found in verse 4, but he did not follow the law with his whole heart. I try and do the right thing, but am I doing it for my sake or because that is what God wants me to do? Do I do what is right in the Lord’s eyes with a whole heart?

Starting in verse 5, we read how Amaziah is gathering an army to fight the Edomites, but he doesn’t find enough troops so he hires people from Israel. He chooses to try and win a battle with his money instead of first asking God for the victory. When God rebukes him, Amaziah’s first thought is about the money he will lose if he chooses to listen to God. He chooses to dwell on the now instead of relying on God to provide.

We saw where God gave Amaziah a victory over the Edomites without the extra men just as he said he could do. Later, Amaziah chooses to worship false idols. God told Amaziah that he has the power to help or to cast down (verse 8), and according to verse 20, God chooses to let Amaziah not listen to advice and let Israel defeat him.

By: Jacob Kerr — West Campus Pastoral Ministry Apprentice – Students & Worship