EGREGIOUS FOLLY OF AMAZIAH KING OF JUDAH

EGREGIOUS FOLLY OF AMAZIAH KING OF JUDAH

King Amaziah had just returned from conquering the Edomites but then revolted against God by bringing home with him the idols of the children of Seir. He worshipped the gods of the very people he had just conquered. This was an absurdity. His name means 'strengthened by God' but unfortunately, Amaziah was a bad ruler. Here exposed is his egregious folly! 

When King Amaziah returned from slaughtering the Edomites, he brought with him idols taken from the people of Seir. He set them up as his own gods, bowed down in front of them, and offered sacrifices to them!  This made the Lord very angry, and he sent a prophet to ask, “Why do you turn to gods who could not even save their own people from you?”  But the king interrupted him and said, “Since when have I made you the king’s counselor? Be quiet now before I have you killed!”  So the prophet stopped with this warning: “I know that God has determined to destroy you because you have done this and have refused to accept my counsel.

(2 Chronicles 25:14-16, NLT). 

Who were the Edomites? They were the descendants of Esau, Isaac's eldest son and Jacob's twin. Esau is the father of Edomites. Esau was connected to red things. The Hebrew word Edom means 'red,' and relates to its founder Esau who was born red all over. The twin brothers fought in their mother Rebecca's womb and Esau sold his birthright as the firstborn son to Jacob, his manipulative brother for a bowl of red pottage stew. Seir, which means 'hair' again relating to Esau, is also known as Edom and was known for its reddish, muddy country. Therefore, the hairy man with the red complexion lived in a land known for its reddish sand. Although Jacob and Esau were related the differences between them were insurmountable. 

Now the Edomites worshipped multiple Gods. Qos, their chief God stood out among the pantheon of fertility gods. But the one true God Yahweh is a jealous God and throughout the narrative, we witness his righteous and just reaction to those who refuse to respond to his longstanding patience. Just like we see here with King Amaziah. The Edomites also intermarried with a conquered population. The Edomites were forced to consider Judaism. Eventually, the Edomites, the entire people group were wiped out. Archeologists have found no Edomite records or literature. 

Although the Edomites and Israelites were family they were also enemies. The brothers were given each their own land by the Lord, but the battle began at birth and seems to have continued throughout the generations. It was and is a spiritual battle. The Edomites remained hostile to the Israelites, the chosen people of God ever afterward and they were mean-spirited and refused to let them pass through their land at the time of the Exodus (see Numbers 20:14-21). Therefore, the Edomites maintained an attitude of hostility towards the Israelites and to God and chose to live as enemies. How sad they did not choose to love one another. Similarly, the flesh wars against the spirit. We must choose to love and serve the one true God, Yahweh, and one another in the spirit. Jesus the son of God is the only way forward to bring this unity.

What did Amaziah see in these false gods that could tempt him to set them up for himself so he could bow down to them? Satan is the tempter and the tormenter. As an Israelite, he should have cast these idols down and broken them into pieces on a rock instead of the barbarous act of inhumanity he committed when he threw the 10,000 prisoners, they had captured off a cliff. He had them thrown off a cliff, 'dashing them to pieces on the rocks below.' Then he falls into this ridiculous idolatry. Behind every idol is a demon spirit. It makes no sense why he would forsake God? But we are told at the beginning of this chapter that King Amaziah did what was pleasing to the Lord in his sight but did not follow God wholeheartedly. 

 Let us look at what the word 'wholehearted' means. According to the online dictionary, the word 'wholehearted' is an adjective that means, 'showing or characterized by complete sincerity and commitment.' It means committed, dedicated, or unshakeable. The word 'wholehearted' in Hebrew is tamim and it means complete or perfect. The word here is used to describe people who are genuine and sincere in their faith.

Interestingly, one of the names of God is Shalom which in Hebrew means peace, well-being, and wholeness. Wikipedia also states that Shalom means, 'universal flourishing, wholeness, and delight.' Only the one true God can bring healing and wholeness to our hearts. Thus, our hearts need to be healed, loved, and made whole by God who is our healer. He heals the broken-hearted. He fills the gaps, so to speak. He satisfies our wants and needs both naturally and spiritually. He makes us whole. He wants to be your all-in-all. Your source, your everything! Your God! As the Psalmist declares:  

He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds. (Psalm 147:3, NLT).

But this revolt and idol worship by King Amaziah made the Lord 'very angry' so he sent reproof by a prophet for this sin. This reproof of God was sent to try and prevent his destruction, to persuade him, to reason with him, to reclaim him, to warn him to repent. The prophet reasoned with him fairly and mildly, when he says, “Why do you turn to gods who could not even save their own people from you?” (2 Chronicles, 25:15, NLT).   But Amaziah would not listen to the prophet or his godly counsel. He could not be reasoned with. He was unreasonable. He could not excuse his folly and therefore in his pride he accused the prophet of impertinence and meddling in what did not belong to him and even usurping him. Notice how the King interrupted the prophet. As a King, he was duty-bound to listen to this prophet who was in fact appointed by the King of Kings to be his counselor. Instead, King Amaziah silenced him and forbade him to speak another word. Some people will not like you to challenge them with the truth. They resist change. They resist the Holy Spirit. Then Amaziah threatens to have the prophet thrown out and killed. He felt threatened. He was enraged and this unaccountable rage towards the prophet must be attributed to the witchcraft of idolatry. Thus, men would gladly have their prophets or counselors girded under their belt of control and speak only what they want to hear and when they want to hear it. Do not be afraid to challenge sin when God calls you to speak up. Do not be afraid of their rage. Do not be silent. The Lord wants to save them from destruction. Your prophetic words could save them. God in his mercy warns before he destroys. God hates the sin but loves the person. 

In this case, Amaziah was happy to part with the silver (100 talents) when he sent back the mercenary army of Israel that he had paid for, in response to the prophet's previous godly counsel about conquering Edom. This enlisting of this extra military assistance was showing a lack of trust in God and the prophet advised that he would be defeated if he employed them. God would not be with him in other words. Therefore, he conceded to the prophet's godly advice. Although he readily parted with the silver, unfortunately, he was not happy to part with the gods of that silver. In response to his sin, the unknown prophet passes the sentence of doom upon Amaziah for his idolatry and rage against him and his godly counsel, in addition to the threat to have him killed or thrown out. In truth, God would throw him out. The prophet had more instructions and advice to give to King Amaziah but since he was obstinate, he abstained from speaking anymore. As the prophet Hosea says, "Ephraim is joined to idols; leave him alone!" (Hosea 4:17). Miserable is the condition of that man with whom the spirit of God no longer strives.  God gives them over to their own lusts. 

What good comes of silencing the reprovers then? Those hardened sinners might even see it as a noble achievement. Thus, the prophet warns the proud King who was disloyal and badly influenced by the false gods of the Edomites, that he was marked for ruin.  The prophet tells Amaziah it is 'because you have done this and have refused to accept my counsel' (2 Chronicles 25:16, NLT).  The Edomites had actually, conquered him in truth. Amaziah came to ruin as was prophesied because he was eventually assassinated by his own people of Judah. They were angry with him for his apostasy and for turning away from the Lord to worship the false gods of the Edomites. He was not wholehearted in following the Lord like King David. On the contrary, he compromised. He was unrepentant and in his inflated pride at defeating the Edomites, he rashly challenged Jehoash, king of Israel to a battle. It was a humiliating defeat for Judah in this disastrous battle at Beth-Shemesh as Israel took over his army and land. Amaziah was deaf to godly instruction and ripe for ruin. Therefore, he becomes the author of his own destruction. Disobedience makes him deaf.  As the book of Proverbs says: 

Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy (Proverbs 29:1, NIV).

In conclusion, this is a very sobering story in the bible and yet serves as a warning and encouragement to us all to heed Godly counsel and wisdom when it is given and to obey God's instruction in his word and his voice. Do not be influenced by the idol worship and pagan practices that are all around you in this world. That would include all addictions such as alcohol, drugs, gambling, pornography, an so forth, in the enemy's camp. These idols cannot satisfy or save. Do not succumb. They can only destroy you. Instead, go forth boldly like the unknown prophet in this story and speak forth God's word that some might be saved from destruction. Go all the way with God, wholeheartedly even if you are mocked and despised and rejected for doing the good. Surrender all. Be a passionate and compassionate man or a woman after God's own heart like David. Good overcomes evil. This world needs good, godly leaders who have a good character and a genuine faith in God. A few good men and women can bring about much good change. No one can help or save like the Lord. Put your trust in him alone, not fake, useless idols of men. No one can save but God and by his amazing grace. Be amazing for God; not like Amaziah who flirted with the enemy and idol worship and was defeated and ruined. He was lukewarm towards God. Therefore, you must know your enemy (the devil) and allow God to heal you and give you the strategy to defeat him in your life. God gives his grace to the humble. 

In addition, choosing integrity, suffering over sin, and resisting temptation, instead of yielding our consciences to a tyrants' demands is one of these great exploits that the prophet Daniel also speaks about:

And such as violate the covenant he shall pervert and seduce with flatteries, but the people who know their God shall prove themselves strong and shall stand firm and do exploits [for God].(Daniel 11:32, AMPC)  

Therefore, know your God and you will do mighty exploits with Him. Go! 

Prayer:
Lord, help me to speak forth your word boldly even if it enrages some. Give me the strength to stand firm and speak your prophetic words in the face of rejection and opposition. Give me the grace and patience to  withstand the pressure and hostility of their threats. Fill me with your Shalom in it all. Amen 

I also pray for deaf ears to open now in Jesus' name.   And that God's words of life would pierce to the very soul and mark them for God forever, today and rescue them from the path of destruction. Amen.

May you encounter God's mercy and kindness today in Christ Jesus our Lord.