There are many stories in the Bible that admonish us to obey God and His commandments, to do as He instructs us to do. We know that it is in our best interest to obey but there are times when this is very difficult to do especially when the outcome is uncertain.
In this Biblical nugget we will examine the importance of obedience to God. I was reminded in a very real way of our humanness and our struggle to act in obedience to God as I read the story of King Amaziah found in 2 Chronicles 25. I was reminded of the assurance that comes from obedience to God in this chapter and also of the very harsh and real consequences of disobedience to God.
The Lineage and Path of Disobedience
Amaziah was the king over the tribe of Judah and Benjamin known as the Southern Kingdom of Judah. The other ten tribes of Israel – Northern Kingdom – had separated from Judah and Benjamin after the death of Solomon approximately 150 years earlier. This division was as a result of Solomon’s disobedience to God due to idolatry. Idolatry which is the worship of other gods is a very dangerous sin that has kindled God’s anger and initiated judgement on several occasions documented in the scriptures. The primary biblical commandment against idolatry is the second of the Ten Commandments, which forbids the making and worship of carved images as gods (Exodus 20: 3- 6). This commandment can be found in several passages in the Old and New Testament and we are warned each time to stay away from this sin. We could say that this was a grave act of disobedience that affected the lineage of Solomon and 150 years later his generations were living with the consequences.
The Imperfect Heart
Amaziah is described as a king who did what was right in the sight of the Lord, but not with a perfect heart (2 Chronicles 25:2). I want us to start with this description, ‘not with a perfect heart’. This meant Amaziah was not very loyal to God, in other words inconsistent in obeying God’s commandments.
Just as we struggle today to stay true to the Potter, to trust Him and be faithful in all our ways, so too did King Amaziah. This points to our sinful and evil nature. We are indeed wretched and imperfect which is why Jesus had to come to our rescue. By ourselves we would do evil much more than we do good, and walk after our own lusts. No wonder Paul in Romans 7: 18 -19 exclaims “For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing”. These verses are not meant to reaffirm us when we sin, but to remind us of our desperate, hopeless condition that is only redeemed by the blood of Jesus. It is also a reminder of our inability to obey God if left entirely up to us. That is why it is so important to seek God’s guidance in our daily lives. King Amaziah seemed to have forgotten this foundational principle at a very critical time in his reign.
Trusting Our Own Plans
Amaziah was preparing to go to war against the children of Seir (Edomites). He had gathered all the able-bodied men of the tribe of Judah and Benjamin but he felt that they were not enough to guarantee victory over the Edomites. The Edomites were a mighty nation with many mighty men of war. One would think at such a time, a king who ‘did what was right in the sight of the Lord’…well sometimes at least, would enquire of God how to approach this battle. Instead King Amaziah leaned on his own understanding and perhaps listened to the counsel of the elders without consulting God. He hired a hundred thousand men of the Northern Kingdom of Israel from Ephraim at a cost of 1000 talents of silver. At that time, this was a hefty price to pay.
God in His mercy and love pointed out this error to the King by sending him a message. A man of God warned King Amaziah “O let not the army of Israel go with thee; for the Lord is not with Israel” (2 Chronicles 25:7). It is important to note that God was not obligated to warn the king, but He chose to do so. It is the same with us when we sometimes go off the rails, making our own plans that will be to our hurt and God sends us a warning to get us back on track. It may be a word from a preacher, a dream, a scripture or even a post like this! God desires to see us blessed and walking in the fulness of His plans for us. This was God’s desire for King Amaziah.
Assurance for Obedience to God
When the warning came, Amaziah recognized his error but was concerned about the 1000 talents of silver that he would have lost. He asked the man of God, “But what shall we do for the 1000 talents that I have given to the army of Israel?” (2 Chronicles 25:9). Sometimes we recognize our error but are so concerned about our investment that we are reluctant to abandon our plans and obey God’s instructions. Have you ever struggled to obey God because you find it difficult to let go of the time, effort or resources you already invested? It can be difficult to obey God when you have become invested in your own path, but there is great reward in obeying God.
The man of God answered Amaziah’s question with an assurance of the power and matchless capacity of God, “The Lord is able to give thee much more than this” (2 Chronicles 25:9). Indeed, we sometimes forget that God is our source, but Deuteronomy 8:18 also reminds us “ But remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms His covenant, which He swore to your ancestors, as it is today”. When we are struggling to let go because we think what we lose when we let go is too much, let us remember…
“…The Lord is able to give you much more than this” (2 Chronicles 25:9).
This response is a profound reminder that obedience to God is not without promise and assurance. In Deuteronomy 28:1-14, God declares several choice blessings for those who obey Him and keep His commandments. We can trust that God honours His word just as Amaziah did in response to the word from the man of God.
The Reward for Obedience
Amaziah decided not to allow the army of Israel to go with him into battle. He decided to trust God to grant him victory with the 300,000 men that he had. Afterall, what’s 100,000 less men in a war with God as your commander! Amaziah’s obedience was rewarded and he secured victory against the Edomites.
Disobedience and Pride
This would have been a great note on which to end the chronicle of King Amaziah, but it did not end there. Sadly, Amaziah’s inconsistent and disloyal nature resulted in a terrible act of disobedience that kindled the anger of God. Yes, idolatry! King Amaziah carried the gods of the Edomites – spoils of war – back to Judah and set them up as his gods and worshipped them. God yet again in His mercy and love sent a prophet to speak to him about this grave act of disobedience, but pride evidently had also taken root. King Amaziah did not repent for his disobedience, rather he dismissed the prophet asking him “Art thou made of the king’s counsel?” (2 Chronicles 25:16).
It is a very dangerous thing when we take lightly God’s warning when we are disobedient. Ephesians 5:6 warns “ Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient”. When disobedience gets a foothold in your life it breeds other sinful ways. Pride is a common partner in the sin of disobedience. Proverbs 16:18 states that “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” while verse 20 reassures us that “Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord”.
King Amaziah responded with pride in his heart to the prophet, not with the humility and loyalty to God as he did before the battle. In fact, he even declared war against the Kingdom of Israel. Perhaps he thought that because God was not with them he could defeat them on his own. Not only was he disobedient and prideful, but he also thought himself invincible!
Sometimes situations that should be inconsequential and avoided can become weapons of mass destruction because of disobedience and pride. Amaziah was blinded by his pride and that led to his destruction. Even the King of Israel knew he was blinded by his pride and warned him “You say to yourself that you have defeated Edom, and now you are arrogant and proud. But stay at home! Why ask for trouble and cause your own downfall and that of Judah also?” (2 Chronicles 25:19).
God’s Mercy in the Midst of Disobedience
God sometimes uses even our enemies to point out our flaws and warn us; not because He wants to embarrass us, but He wants to get our attention. It all boils down to God’s mercy and desire to redeem us and save us from ourselves. In the chapter, verse 20 tells us that King Joash of Israel’s warning was from God, but Amaziah did not listen.
The Harsh Consequences of Disobedience
King Amaziah went to face Israel and was “put to the worse before Israel”. The army of Israel “took all the gold and silver” (2 Chronicles 25:22, 24). Can you imagine that, defeated by an army that God told him not to align with. He even lost the wealth he had, wealth that God assured him could be increased if he obeyed. Eventually his own people killed him (2 Chronicles 25:27).
Life Lessons
The story of King Amaziah is a reminder of God’s assurance when we obey Him. Even if you lose wealth, time, or even your health to obey God, remember it is God who redeems. God is able to give us much more than we have lost. Just obey Him. The chronicle of King Amaziah also outlines God’s response to our disobedience. God desires for us to trust and obey Him, but He will not force us to do so. In His mercy He continues to send messages to warn us and point us back to His way. The story is also a strong reminder of the consequences of continued disobedience; it leads to pride, arrogance, deception and ultimately destruction. Those consequences are too much to bear!
What are you struggling to give up in order to obey God?
How are you responding to the warnings from God to turn from sin and disobedience?
Has your pride and arrogance deceived you into thinking you can win without God?
Continued disobedience can only lead to brokenness and death – spiritually and eventually physically. Let us not wait until we are broken and chastised by God to obey Him.
Clay and Light Ministry 