Do not repeat the mistakes of Amaziah. – Don’t forget the lessons learned.
Our verse of reference in 2 Chronicles 25 is:
“Even if you go and fight courageously in battle, God will overthrow you before the enemy, for God has the power to help or to overthrow.” (2 Chronicles 25:8 NIV).
Reflection
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Not consulting contract soldiers. – Amaziah paid 3,300 Kg. of silver to hired 100,000 brave soldiers of Israel to go to war. Never before had a king of the people of God had to hire soldiers from other countries to go to war. Amaziah forgot the promise: “The Lord your God he shall fight for you” (Deut 3:22) and that” five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand, and your enemies shall fall by the sword before you” (Lev 25:8). This error, costed him many kilos of silver. In addition, when the hired soldiers feel displaced, they attacked cities in Judah, killed three thousand people and took a great booty (verse 13).
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Worshipping gods who can not defend his worshipers-Amaziah made another when after conquering the Edomites, rather than give offerings of praise to God and deliver gifts in gratitude for giving them a great victory: “When Amaziah returned from smiting the Edomites, he took the gods of the inhabitants of Seir and adopted as them as his gods, worshiping them and burning incense “(verse 14). At the same time, he rejected the message of God brought by the prophet, he did not let him finish the message and threatened to take his life (verse 16).
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Dealing with their northern brethren. – God forbade for the war to enter between the inhabitants of Judah (South) and his brothers of Israel (North), Rehoboam said: “Do not go to fight against their brothers, the Israelites. Return every man to his house, because it is my will that this happened. And they obeyed the word of the Lord, and returned, as the Lord had commanded him (1 Kings 12:24). Even Joash king of Israel advised: You boast of having defeated the Edomites, the success has gone to his head! Okay, speak if you want, but stay home. Why provoke a disgrace that will bring your downfall and that of Judah? (Verse 19).
Prayer
God of forgiveness, through the merits of Christ for us, we pray that our errors are not taken into account. Put the desire to consult you before making decisions, and courage to ask for forgiveness when we go ahead with your plans. By jesus, amen
By Dr. Franz Rios and Pablo J. Rios.
