1 00:00:00,800 --> 00:00:04,880 Speaker 1: Let us pray. And joe Ash King of Israel, sent 2 00:00:04,920 --> 00:00:08,640 Speaker 1: to Ameziah, King of Judah, saying, the thistle that was 3 00:00:08,640 --> 00:00:12,120 Speaker 1: in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying, 4 00:00:12,920 --> 00:00:16,759 Speaker 1: give thy daughter to my son to wife. And there 5 00:00:16,840 --> 00:00:20,440 Speaker 1: passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon and 6 00:00:20,520 --> 00:00:26,799 Speaker 1: trod down the thistle Second Chronicles twenty five eighteen. With 7 00:00:26,960 --> 00:00:32,360 Speaker 1: continued victory and blessing, Lord, I acknowledge that my greatest 8 00:00:32,400 --> 00:00:36,600 Speaker 1: concern will be that of protecting myself from getting prideful 9 00:00:36,760 --> 00:00:41,640 Speaker 1: and complaisant when it comes to my devotion. When moments 10 00:00:41,640 --> 00:00:45,600 Speaker 1: arise and my desired outcome doesn't come how I think 11 00:00:45,640 --> 00:00:50,240 Speaker 1: it should, steer my mind back to the fact that 12 00:00:50,280 --> 00:00:53,760 Speaker 1: you are in control and you know what is best 13 00:00:53,800 --> 00:00:59,720 Speaker 1: for me. Right now, I silence all thoughts that would 14 00:00:59,720 --> 00:01:02,920 Speaker 1: have me turn to a false idol created by a 15 00:01:02,960 --> 00:01:08,240 Speaker 1: man like Ameaziah. I denounce any ungodly actions that would 16 00:01:08,240 --> 00:01:10,800 Speaker 1: cause me to stray from the path of my purpose 17 00:01:11,000 --> 00:01:15,600 Speaker 1: and calling. When I place my expectation on you, Lord, 18 00:01:16,360 --> 00:01:19,480 Speaker 1: help me to be quick to realize that your ways 19 00:01:19,760 --> 00:01:23,520 Speaker 1: are above mine, and that as I wait in the 20 00:01:23,560 --> 00:01:29,440 Speaker 1: midst of my disappointment, your perfect character will provide exceedingly 21 00:01:29,520 --> 00:01:36,960 Speaker 1: above and beyond what I can imagine. In Jesus name, Amen, 22 00:01:39,040 --> 00:01:41,800 Speaker 1: Thank you for making prayer a priority in your day. 23 00:01:42,520 --> 00:01:46,000 Speaker 1: To learn more about the Bible, stay tuned for today's story, 24 00:01:46,560 --> 00:02:11,320 Speaker 1: brought to you by Bible in a Year dot com. 25 00:02:00,560 --> 00:02:02,240 Speaker 2: The Thistle and the Cedar. 26 00:02:03,360 --> 00:02:06,440 Speaker 3: In our last story, we met the prophet Jonah, who 27 00:02:06,480 --> 00:02:12,160 Speaker 3: refused to obey God's calling because of his prejudice against Nineveh. However, 28 00:02:12,280 --> 00:02:16,120 Speaker 3: God used Jonah's life as a lesson, a lesson in 29 00:02:16,200 --> 00:02:20,679 Speaker 3: caring about the lost, a lesson about humility and responding 30 00:02:20,720 --> 00:02:23,520 Speaker 3: to the voice of God, a lesson on. 31 00:02:23,440 --> 00:02:24,720 Speaker 2: What truly matters. 32 00:02:25,639 --> 00:02:30,000 Speaker 3: Now we revisit the tragic story of kings. In this story, 33 00:02:30,280 --> 00:02:34,680 Speaker 3: King Amasiah assumes the throne of Judah. Although he begins 34 00:02:34,720 --> 00:02:40,160 Speaker 3: his reign righteously, doubt and bitterness consumes him. Eventually, he 35 00:02:40,280 --> 00:02:44,079 Speaker 3: raises his sword against an enemy too formidable for him. 36 00:02:44,440 --> 00:02:46,959 Speaker 3: Inspired by the Book of Second Chronicles. 37 00:02:50,040 --> 00:02:53,000 Speaker 4: Hello, I'm pastor Jack Graham with today's episode of the 38 00:02:53,000 --> 00:02:56,360 Speaker 4: Bible in a Year podcast. In our last episode, we 39 00:02:56,480 --> 00:03:00,680 Speaker 4: saw how God spared Nineveh from destruction after the repented 40 00:03:00,680 --> 00:03:04,600 Speaker 4: from evil and turned their hearts to the One True God. Jonah, 41 00:03:04,840 --> 00:03:08,320 Speaker 4: who had reluctantly delivered God's word to this pagan city, 42 00:03:09,080 --> 00:03:12,679 Speaker 4: was angered by God's mercy toward them. But God used 43 00:03:12,680 --> 00:03:14,840 Speaker 4: a plant and a worm to show Jonah that the 44 00:03:14,919 --> 00:03:20,080 Speaker 4: thousands of souls in Nineveh were actually precious to God. Today, 45 00:03:20,120 --> 00:03:22,160 Speaker 4: we'll return to Judah to hear of the reign of 46 00:03:22,280 --> 00:03:25,960 Speaker 4: King Amasiah. He starts off well, but soon turns away 47 00:03:26,000 --> 00:03:30,160 Speaker 4: from God to doubts, resentment, and pride. His pride would 48 00:03:30,400 --> 00:03:33,639 Speaker 4: ultimately lead to his demise as he engaged an enemy 49 00:03:33,720 --> 00:03:37,920 Speaker 4: far too powerful to defeat. So once again, let's listen 50 00:03:37,960 --> 00:03:38,640 Speaker 4: to God's word. 51 00:03:40,920 --> 00:03:44,640 Speaker 3: King Joe Ash of Judah returned to the dust, as 52 00:03:44,720 --> 00:03:47,880 Speaker 3: is the way of all men. However, his demise was 53 00:03:47,920 --> 00:03:51,680 Speaker 3: more brutal than most. He was assassinated by his own 54 00:03:51,720 --> 00:03:55,720 Speaker 3: officers on the road to Scilla. His blood covered the streets, 55 00:03:56,040 --> 00:03:59,720 Speaker 3: and his reign ended in shame. His son was twenty 56 00:03:59,760 --> 00:04:02,800 Speaker 3: five at the time and was soon after named King 57 00:04:02,880 --> 00:04:07,120 Speaker 3: of Judah. Amaziah was a young man, but filled with promise. 58 00:04:07,680 --> 00:04:10,520 Speaker 3: He began his reign with ambition to break the cycle 59 00:04:10,560 --> 00:04:15,000 Speaker 3: of his forefathers. He pursued God. He uplifted the poor 60 00:04:15,040 --> 00:04:19,000 Speaker 3: and needy, and he established justice in the land of Judah. 61 00:04:19,520 --> 00:04:21,680 Speaker 3: He did what was right in the sight of God, 62 00:04:22,440 --> 00:04:25,960 Speaker 3: but there was still a lingering apathy resting at the 63 00:04:26,000 --> 00:04:30,360 Speaker 3: bottom of Amaziah's heart. Something kept him from truly pursuing 64 00:04:30,400 --> 00:04:34,560 Speaker 3: God as David once did. Amaziah knew that his father 65 00:04:34,640 --> 00:04:38,600 Speaker 3: had been assassinated by the officers of Judah without warning. 66 00:04:38,760 --> 00:04:42,000 Speaker 3: Amaziah sent men to ambush them and kill each man 67 00:04:42,040 --> 00:04:45,120 Speaker 3: who played a part in killing his father in I 68 00:04:45,400 --> 00:04:48,440 Speaker 3: for an Eye. Amaziah thought it was the custom for 69 00:04:48,520 --> 00:04:51,560 Speaker 3: many kings to kill the families of traitors as well, 70 00:04:52,000 --> 00:04:55,800 Speaker 3: but Amaziah refused to enact that sort of cruelty. He 71 00:04:55,920 --> 00:04:58,480 Speaker 3: knew what was commanded of God and the laws saying 72 00:04:58,880 --> 00:05:02,640 Speaker 3: fathers shall not die because of their children, nor children 73 00:05:02,680 --> 00:05:06,159 Speaker 3: because of their fathers, but everyone is punished for their 74 00:05:06,200 --> 00:05:07,000 Speaker 3: own sins. 75 00:05:07,680 --> 00:05:08,600 Speaker 2: Only a few. 76 00:05:08,400 --> 00:05:12,120 Speaker 3: Months into Amaziah's reign, there was a threat coming in 77 00:05:12,160 --> 00:05:16,080 Speaker 3: from the nation of Seer. Amasiah was proactive in responding 78 00:05:16,120 --> 00:05:19,560 Speaker 3: to this threat. He gathered every elder from each tribe 79 00:05:19,560 --> 00:05:23,719 Speaker 3: of Judah to strategize from them. He had three hundred 80 00:05:23,839 --> 00:05:28,040 Speaker 3: thousand mighty men, young men from Judah who were eager 81 00:05:28,120 --> 00:05:31,359 Speaker 3: to fight and defend their country. To further add to 82 00:05:31,440 --> 00:05:35,279 Speaker 3: his massive army, he hired one hundred thousand mercenaries from 83 00:05:35,360 --> 00:05:39,680 Speaker 3: Israel to bolster his army. Amaziah was preparing his men 84 00:05:39,760 --> 00:05:43,760 Speaker 3: for battle. The camp was bustling with activity. The sound 85 00:05:43,800 --> 00:05:47,479 Speaker 3: of iron being forged and swords being sharpened filled the 86 00:05:47,560 --> 00:05:51,680 Speaker 3: camp as Amaziah walked through. As he was picking up 87 00:05:51,720 --> 00:05:55,320 Speaker 3: his armor, a man of God interrupted him. The man 88 00:05:55,400 --> 00:05:59,159 Speaker 3: looked at the king with wise and understanding eyes. The 89 00:05:59,240 --> 00:06:01,760 Speaker 3: man smiled as he gestured for the king to sit. 90 00:06:02,520 --> 00:06:06,320 Speaker 3: Amaziah respected the prophets of God, so was intent on 91 00:06:06,440 --> 00:06:09,599 Speaker 3: hearing what he had to say. My King, you do 92 00:06:09,720 --> 00:06:13,880 Speaker 3: not need the extra mercenaries from Israel. They have rejected 93 00:06:13,880 --> 00:06:17,640 Speaker 3: the Lord and God is in the process of refining them. 94 00:06:18,320 --> 00:06:21,760 Speaker 3: The king's face was grim at hearing those words. He 95 00:06:21,839 --> 00:06:24,800 Speaker 3: knew he needed more men to win the upcoming battle. 96 00:06:25,440 --> 00:06:28,520 Speaker 3: The prophet sensed this and encouraged the king further. 97 00:06:29,360 --> 00:06:30,440 Speaker 2: Do not be afraid. 98 00:06:31,080 --> 00:06:33,480 Speaker 3: Do you think God will send you into your demise? 99 00:06:34,080 --> 00:06:37,800 Speaker 3: Surely He is with you before your enemy. The king 100 00:06:37,960 --> 00:06:41,679 Speaker 3: was not entirely reassured. What of the money I already 101 00:06:41,720 --> 00:06:42,240 Speaker 3: paid them? 102 00:06:42,640 --> 00:06:43,880 Speaker 2: Should I just waste that? 103 00:06:44,600 --> 00:06:48,200 Speaker 3: Does not the Lord own all things? He can give 104 00:06:48,200 --> 00:06:51,279 Speaker 3: you much more than one hundred talents in return for your. 105 00:06:51,120 --> 00:06:53,440 Speaker 2: Faithfulness, the prophet responded. 106 00:06:53,960 --> 00:06:56,719 Speaker 3: So the king did as the prophet asked. He sent 107 00:06:56,760 --> 00:06:59,960 Speaker 3: away the mercenaries back to Israel, but he was met 108 00:07:00,120 --> 00:07:04,040 Speaker 3: with great anger and conflict from the Israelites. They returned 109 00:07:04,080 --> 00:07:06,919 Speaker 3: home with a deep anger in their hearts. Yet the 110 00:07:06,960 --> 00:07:11,640 Speaker 3: Lord blessed Amaziah's faithfulness. He marched into battle, short one 111 00:07:11,720 --> 00:07:16,000 Speaker 3: hundred thousand men, but filled with courage from God. Amaziah 112 00:07:16,000 --> 00:07:18,560 Speaker 3: lifted up his sword and rode into battle with his 113 00:07:18,640 --> 00:07:22,400 Speaker 3: men behind him. The warriors of Seyr ran towards them, 114 00:07:22,520 --> 00:07:26,680 Speaker 3: and the two armies collided with steel and bone. Amaziah's 115 00:07:26,720 --> 00:07:30,760 Speaker 3: young arms slashed through the enemy forces. Blood filled the 116 00:07:30,840 --> 00:07:34,520 Speaker 3: valley of Salt and poured out like a stream. Over 117 00:07:34,600 --> 00:07:37,559 Speaker 3: ten thousand men fell at the hand of Judah before 118 00:07:37,560 --> 00:07:41,360 Speaker 3: the people of ser surrendered. Another ten thousand were captured 119 00:07:41,400 --> 00:07:44,280 Speaker 3: alive and brought to the edge of a mountain with 120 00:07:44,400 --> 00:07:48,280 Speaker 3: decisive force, The men were pushed over to their doom. 121 00:07:48,480 --> 00:07:52,440 Speaker 3: Their skulls cracked on the rocks below. Amaziah and his 122 00:07:52,560 --> 00:07:56,360 Speaker 3: men cheered in victory. Their war cries filled the air 123 00:07:56,440 --> 00:08:00,200 Speaker 3: and echoed for all the surrounding nations to hear Boy 124 00:08:00,320 --> 00:08:03,640 Speaker 3: filled their hearts. As they ventured back to Judah. A 125 00:08:03,760 --> 00:08:07,040 Speaker 3: tired smile was on Amaziah's face as he rode back 126 00:08:07,080 --> 00:08:10,880 Speaker 3: with elation. However, his smile grew dim when he saw 127 00:08:11,000 --> 00:08:14,840 Speaker 3: smoke rising from the distance. Amaziah and his men rode 128 00:08:14,920 --> 00:08:18,240 Speaker 3: quickly towards the smoke and saw flames rising from the 129 00:08:18,240 --> 00:08:21,720 Speaker 3: outer cities of Judah. The men's hearts began to break 130 00:08:22,120 --> 00:08:26,000 Speaker 3: as they saw every city from Samaria to Bethuron struck down. 131 00:08:26,360 --> 00:08:29,040 Speaker 3: Three thousand people had been killed at the hands of 132 00:08:29,080 --> 00:08:34,640 Speaker 3: the Israeli mercenaries. Amaziah's heart was broken. A subtle bitterness 133 00:08:34,760 --> 00:08:38,120 Speaker 3: welled up in his heart towards God. He had sent 134 00:08:38,160 --> 00:08:40,720 Speaker 3: the men away with the promise that God would bless him, 135 00:08:41,240 --> 00:08:45,439 Speaker 3: but here he stood among the burnt cities of Judah. 136 00:08:45,520 --> 00:08:50,320 Speaker 3: God had not met his expectations, and although Amasiah would 137 00:08:50,320 --> 00:08:53,120 Speaker 3: not say so outwardly, his heart. 138 00:08:53,000 --> 00:08:55,160 Speaker 2: Was calloused towards him. 139 00:08:55,679 --> 00:08:59,800 Speaker 3: Amaziah sat in the storehouse where all the spoils of 140 00:08:59,840 --> 00:09:04,600 Speaker 3: war sat. In their victory against Seer, they had collected 141 00:09:04,600 --> 00:09:08,880 Speaker 3: their idols and false gods. Amaziah stared at the carved 142 00:09:08,920 --> 00:09:13,400 Speaker 3: images before him. They were gods made from man there 143 00:09:13,440 --> 00:09:17,559 Speaker 3: were gods of carnal pleasures and selfish desires. They were 144 00:09:17,679 --> 00:09:21,320 Speaker 3: easy gods to obey, since they allowed men and women 145 00:09:21,400 --> 00:09:25,640 Speaker 3: to give in to their own selfish pleasures. Amaziah got 146 00:09:25,720 --> 00:09:28,000 Speaker 3: up from his seat and picked up one of the idols. 147 00:09:28,640 --> 00:09:29,960 Speaker 3: He held it in his hand. 148 00:09:30,840 --> 00:09:32,040 Speaker 2: He was drawn to it. 149 00:09:32,760 --> 00:09:37,280 Speaker 3: A deep seated bitterness in his heart boiled over. Amaziah 150 00:09:37,280 --> 00:09:41,280 Speaker 3: placed the carved image on an altar nearby and bowed 151 00:09:41,320 --> 00:09:47,400 Speaker 3: to it. Perhaps this god would not disappoint him. Amaziah 152 00:09:47,480 --> 00:09:50,760 Speaker 3: was caught in the cycle of his forefather Solomon. The 153 00:09:50,880 --> 00:09:55,800 Speaker 3: leude and exotic idols enticed him. Foreign philosophy and pagan 154 00:09:55,880 --> 00:09:58,480 Speaker 3: worship wrapped him up like a woman of the night. 155 00:09:59,000 --> 00:10:01,520 Speaker 3: He was lured and intoxicated by the. 156 00:10:01,600 --> 00:10:02,960 Speaker 2: Rush of idle worship. 157 00:10:03,600 --> 00:10:07,280 Speaker 3: All the while God's heart broke at his servant's downfall. 158 00:10:08,240 --> 00:10:11,120 Speaker 3: The Lord sent another prophet to speak truth to the king. 159 00:10:11,840 --> 00:10:14,880 Speaker 3: The prophet came to the throne room of Amaziah. 160 00:10:14,920 --> 00:10:16,440 Speaker 2: He was not his normal self. 161 00:10:17,120 --> 00:10:19,800 Speaker 3: The prophet could see a hidden weariness in his eyes. 162 00:10:20,240 --> 00:10:24,280 Speaker 3: He began to show symptoms of madness. My king, the 163 00:10:24,320 --> 00:10:27,680 Speaker 3: prophet said quietly, why have you run after the gods 164 00:10:27,679 --> 00:10:31,000 Speaker 3: of people that clearly care very little for their own. 165 00:10:31,760 --> 00:10:36,760 Speaker 3: They are not compassionate or merciful. They gladly sacrificed their own, 166 00:10:36,800 --> 00:10:40,160 Speaker 3: and the king raised his hand to silence the prophet. 167 00:10:40,679 --> 00:10:43,400 Speaker 3: He stood from his throne and stepped down towards him. 168 00:10:43,960 --> 00:10:46,040 Speaker 3: The look in his eyes sent a chill down the 169 00:10:46,040 --> 00:10:46,880 Speaker 3: prophet's spine. 170 00:10:48,040 --> 00:10:48,920 Speaker 2: Am I mistaken? 171 00:10:49,800 --> 00:10:52,559 Speaker 3: Have you somehow been appointed as the royal counselor without 172 00:10:52,600 --> 00:10:53,359 Speaker 3: my knowledge? 173 00:10:53,559 --> 00:10:54,120 Speaker 2: He asked. 174 00:10:54,760 --> 00:10:57,800 Speaker 3: The prophet opened his mouth to respond, but was abruptly 175 00:10:57,800 --> 00:11:02,280 Speaker 3: interrupted again. Stop, the king shouted, before you. 176 00:11:02,320 --> 00:11:03,319 Speaker 2: Are struck down. 177 00:11:04,679 --> 00:11:07,880 Speaker 3: The prophet was flustered at first, but then stood upright. 178 00:11:08,480 --> 00:11:11,760 Speaker 3: He was a child and servant of the living God. 179 00:11:12,559 --> 00:11:15,520 Speaker 3: He would not be intimidated by a mentally and emotionally 180 00:11:15,640 --> 00:11:19,880 Speaker 3: unstable king. The prophet began to depart, but said one 181 00:11:19,960 --> 00:11:24,200 Speaker 3: final thing as he left. God is determined to thwart 182 00:11:24,280 --> 00:11:28,040 Speaker 3: you before you corrupt the rest of Judah. God will 183 00:11:28,120 --> 00:11:32,679 Speaker 3: destroy you for not listening to my counsel. The king 184 00:11:32,760 --> 00:11:36,400 Speaker 3: slumped back in his throne, determined to regain control of 185 00:11:36,440 --> 00:11:41,479 Speaker 3: his emotions. Amaziah was feeling bold after his victory Overseer 186 00:11:41,840 --> 00:11:44,880 Speaker 3: and decided to march against the neighboring nation of Israel. 187 00:11:44,960 --> 00:11:48,760 Speaker 3: As revenge for his fallen cities. Amaziah was beginning to 188 00:11:48,760 --> 00:11:52,520 Speaker 3: be consumed with pride, just as the ancient people who 189 00:11:52,559 --> 00:11:56,240 Speaker 3: built the Tower of Babel, Amaziah began to overreach in 190 00:11:56,240 --> 00:11:57,080 Speaker 3: search of power. 191 00:11:57,840 --> 00:11:59,920 Speaker 2: Let us meet face to face. 192 00:12:00,120 --> 00:12:04,000 Speaker 3: Amaziah sent to King Joash. This was a bold challenge 193 00:12:04,480 --> 00:12:07,760 Speaker 3: for Israel. Under Jehoah has had amassed a great army, 194 00:12:08,559 --> 00:12:12,320 Speaker 3: greater than that of Judah. King Joash calmly replied to 195 00:12:12,360 --> 00:12:16,760 Speaker 3: the new king with a story a small thistle, and 196 00:12:16,880 --> 00:12:20,760 Speaker 3: Lebanon sent word to a mighty cedar, saying, let us 197 00:12:20,800 --> 00:12:24,720 Speaker 3: marry our son and daughter as equals. But a wild 198 00:12:24,800 --> 00:12:28,960 Speaker 3: beast passed by and destroyed the tiny thistle. Its small 199 00:12:29,080 --> 00:12:32,680 Speaker 3: leaves and frail twigs were crushed under its foot. But 200 00:12:32,760 --> 00:12:36,959 Speaker 3: the beast could not crush the strong cedar. The King 201 00:12:37,000 --> 00:12:40,560 Speaker 3: of Israel's words were strong and wise. In his letter, 202 00:12:40,600 --> 00:12:43,080 Speaker 3: he laid out a warning for the young king of Judah. 203 00:12:43,800 --> 00:12:47,679 Speaker 3: The letter continued, saying, your heart is filled with pride 204 00:12:47,720 --> 00:12:51,319 Speaker 3: after your defeat Overseer, but you should stay at home. 205 00:12:51,960 --> 00:12:57,120 Speaker 3: Why are you provoking evil against yourself. Joash's words only 206 00:12:57,160 --> 00:13:00,360 Speaker 3: fueled Amaziah's anger, though he was not aware there of it. 207 00:13:00,920 --> 00:13:04,400 Speaker 3: God was laying a trap for Amaziah. He would allow 208 00:13:04,440 --> 00:13:07,280 Speaker 3: the young king to walk right into the consequence of 209 00:13:07,320 --> 00:13:11,240 Speaker 3: his own pride. The two kings rode out against one another. 210 00:13:11,760 --> 00:13:14,720 Speaker 3: They met at the valley of Bethshemesh on the outskirts 211 00:13:14,760 --> 00:13:18,840 Speaker 3: of Judah. Amaziah raised his sword and ran into battle 212 00:13:18,880 --> 00:13:22,400 Speaker 3: with his men at his side. He was confident, brave, 213 00:13:22,880 --> 00:13:24,480 Speaker 3: and filled with the pride of youth. 214 00:13:25,280 --> 00:13:26,320 Speaker 2: He should have stayed home. 215 00:13:27,320 --> 00:13:31,079 Speaker 3: Joe Ash unleashed a fury unlike Amaziah had ever seen. 216 00:13:31,880 --> 00:13:35,000 Speaker 3: A new wave of Israelite soldiers flooded the battlefield with 217 00:13:35,120 --> 00:13:39,680 Speaker 3: every passing hour. Amaziah's brutish confidence was wiped away under 218 00:13:39,720 --> 00:13:43,120 Speaker 3: the boot of joe Ash and his army. Amaziah saw 219 00:13:43,320 --> 00:13:47,120 Speaker 3: King joe Ash fighting and pursued him. He ran with 220 00:13:47,200 --> 00:13:49,959 Speaker 3: his sword high in the air. He was met with 221 00:13:50,040 --> 00:13:53,560 Speaker 3: a swift kick to the chest and fell back. He 222 00:13:53,679 --> 00:13:56,679 Speaker 3: dropped his sword, and before he could reach for it, 223 00:13:56,800 --> 00:14:00,840 Speaker 3: he was kicked in the jar. Amaziah rid beadthed in pain. 224 00:14:01,400 --> 00:14:04,679 Speaker 3: His mouth was filled with blood. Joash picked him up 225 00:14:04,679 --> 00:14:07,120 Speaker 3: by his breastplate and threw him into a group of 226 00:14:07,160 --> 00:14:10,439 Speaker 3: his guards. They beat him and tied him to a horse. 227 00:14:11,320 --> 00:14:13,920 Speaker 3: The battle had been easily won, and every man of 228 00:14:14,000 --> 00:14:17,720 Speaker 3: Judah fled back to his home. Amaziah was taken into 229 00:14:17,760 --> 00:14:21,360 Speaker 3: the heart of Judah. He was paraded around Jerusalem as 230 00:14:21,360 --> 00:14:25,560 Speaker 3: a captive. Then Joash had his men destroy part of 231 00:14:25,600 --> 00:14:28,960 Speaker 3: the wall of Jerusalem. The bricks crumbled to the floor 232 00:14:29,040 --> 00:14:33,120 Speaker 3: along with Amaziah's dignity. Joash sent his men into the 233 00:14:33,160 --> 00:14:36,560 Speaker 3: House of God and seized the gold and silver. He 234 00:14:36,720 --> 00:14:41,720 Speaker 3: raided Amaziah's home and stole all his treasure. Lastly, Joash 235 00:14:41,720 --> 00:14:45,560 Speaker 3: took captives. Women and children were carted away like cattle. 236 00:14:46,000 --> 00:14:49,640 Speaker 3: The King of Judah crumbled to his knees. Joash spat 237 00:14:49,640 --> 00:14:53,040 Speaker 3: on the ground beside Amaziah and left him to soak 238 00:14:53,120 --> 00:14:58,000 Speaker 3: in his own shame. After witnessing the king's shame, there 239 00:14:58,040 --> 00:15:01,360 Speaker 3: was a conspiracy to kill him, so Amaziah fled to 240 00:15:01,440 --> 00:15:02,360 Speaker 3: Lakeish and. 241 00:15:02,320 --> 00:15:04,120 Speaker 2: Spent years hiding in exile. 242 00:15:04,760 --> 00:15:09,160 Speaker 3: Eventually he was found and put to death immediately. It 243 00:15:09,200 --> 00:15:13,360 Speaker 3: was a shameful end to a shameful life. Amaziah allowed 244 00:15:13,400 --> 00:15:16,640 Speaker 3: doubt to plague his mind instead of seeking God, and 245 00:15:16,720 --> 00:15:19,760 Speaker 3: his pain in questioning, he wrote him off and pursued 246 00:15:19,840 --> 00:15:23,960 Speaker 3: other gods. His story is not unlike the story of mankind. 247 00:15:24,560 --> 00:15:28,200 Speaker 3: For all of human history, man has struggled for closeness 248 00:15:28,200 --> 00:15:32,280 Speaker 3: to God. They seek to understand him and are disappointed 249 00:15:32,280 --> 00:15:36,400 Speaker 3: when he does not meet their expectations. One day, a 250 00:15:36,480 --> 00:15:39,680 Speaker 3: true king would rise up to restore a close relationship 251 00:15:39,720 --> 00:15:44,840 Speaker 3: between man and God, but for now the struggle continues. 252 00:15:48,000 --> 00:15:50,960 Speaker 4: We begin today's passage following the death of Joe Ash 253 00:15:51,000 --> 00:15:53,400 Speaker 4: of Judah, who was killed by his own men as 254 00:15:53,440 --> 00:15:57,280 Speaker 4: he traveled the road to Sillah. His son, a Messiah, 255 00:15:57,440 --> 00:16:00,440 Speaker 4: was young, only twenty five when his father died and 256 00:16:00,600 --> 00:16:04,560 Speaker 4: he became King of Judah. It all started off well. 257 00:16:05,120 --> 00:16:07,920 Speaker 4: Amaziah did many good things, seeking to do right in 258 00:16:07,960 --> 00:16:10,800 Speaker 4: the eyes of the Lord and restore justice to the land. 259 00:16:11,640 --> 00:16:14,160 Speaker 4: He sought to deal with the traders who killed his father, 260 00:16:14,720 --> 00:16:17,840 Speaker 4: and he put them to death, But rather than wipe 261 00:16:17,840 --> 00:16:22,200 Speaker 4: out their entire families, including their children, Amaziah killed only 262 00:16:22,240 --> 00:16:27,080 Speaker 4: the guilty, obeying God's law. There was truly great potential 263 00:16:27,120 --> 00:16:30,040 Speaker 4: in this new king, but at the same time, a 264 00:16:30,120 --> 00:16:34,120 Speaker 4: darkness in his heart held him back. Soon there was 265 00:16:34,160 --> 00:16:38,240 Speaker 4: an enemy threatening the peace. The nation of syr was 266 00:16:38,320 --> 00:16:41,760 Speaker 4: preparing to attack, so he gathered the elders and assembled 267 00:16:41,760 --> 00:16:45,920 Speaker 4: the troops. Then he hired soldiers from Israel mercenaries to 268 00:16:46,000 --> 00:16:50,280 Speaker 4: fight with them. It was a sound military strategy. But 269 00:16:50,480 --> 00:16:53,200 Speaker 4: before they went to battle, one of God's prophets appeared 270 00:16:53,200 --> 00:16:56,320 Speaker 4: to speak with the king. He delivered a word from 271 00:16:56,360 --> 00:16:58,400 Speaker 4: the Lord, saying the king did not need the one 272 00:16:58,480 --> 00:17:03,280 Speaker 4: hundred thousand mercenaries from Israel. Israel was a nation in turmoil, 273 00:17:03,640 --> 00:17:07,359 Speaker 4: and God was not with them. Sometimes the plan that 274 00:17:07,440 --> 00:17:09,720 Speaker 4: makes the most sense may not be the plan God 275 00:17:09,800 --> 00:17:14,240 Speaker 4: has for you. Those may be confusing moments that cause 276 00:17:14,280 --> 00:17:17,760 Speaker 4: you to wonder if God will still provide or protect. 277 00:17:18,920 --> 00:17:22,480 Speaker 4: Surely Amaziah wandered the same. So the prophet assured him, 278 00:17:22,520 --> 00:17:25,679 Speaker 4: saying in second Chronicles twenty five and verse eight, but 279 00:17:25,880 --> 00:17:29,399 Speaker 4: go act, be strong for the battle. Why should you 280 00:17:29,440 --> 00:17:32,240 Speaker 4: suppose that God will cast you down before the enemy, 281 00:17:32,680 --> 00:17:35,800 Speaker 4: For God has power to help or to cast down. 282 00:17:37,600 --> 00:17:40,119 Speaker 4: He was being told to trust in God's power, not 283 00:17:40,240 --> 00:17:44,679 Speaker 4: his own, not Israel's army. Only trust God and be 284 00:17:44,760 --> 00:17:48,800 Speaker 4: strong for the battle and obey him. Echoes of the 285 00:17:48,800 --> 00:17:52,000 Speaker 4: words God spoke to Joshua when he became the leader 286 00:17:52,040 --> 00:17:56,679 Speaker 4: of God's people. But despite lingering doubts, Amaziah sent the 287 00:17:56,720 --> 00:18:00,600 Speaker 4: mercenaries home. The Israelites were angry, even though they had 288 00:18:00,640 --> 00:18:04,920 Speaker 4: already been paid, but Amaziah obeyed God and went without them, 289 00:18:05,600 --> 00:18:08,800 Speaker 4: and just as God promised, he was with the king 290 00:18:08,920 --> 00:18:12,960 Speaker 4: and gave him victory, even with a shorthanded army. The 291 00:18:13,080 --> 00:18:16,440 Speaker 4: king and his men returned home confident and victorious, only 292 00:18:16,480 --> 00:18:20,040 Speaker 4: to find that the Israelite warriors had attacked several cities, 293 00:18:20,200 --> 00:18:24,440 Speaker 4: setting fires and killing more than three thousand people. Why 294 00:18:24,480 --> 00:18:27,080 Speaker 4: had God allowed this to happen, the king must have wondered. 295 00:18:27,440 --> 00:18:31,439 Speaker 4: He had been obedient, and yet disaster came, and so 296 00:18:31,640 --> 00:18:36,520 Speaker 4: because God didn't meet his expectations, Amaziah became angry at God. 297 00:18:37,359 --> 00:18:42,440 Speaker 4: His anger turned to resentment. Obedience to God will always 298 00:18:42,440 --> 00:18:45,200 Speaker 4: be the right path, but it will not always be 299 00:18:45,280 --> 00:18:49,440 Speaker 4: a peaceful or easy path. Evil is still very real 300 00:18:49,480 --> 00:18:53,080 Speaker 4: in the world, and until the Lord Jesus returns, tragedies 301 00:18:53,119 --> 00:18:56,480 Speaker 4: are going to happen, even to the most faithful followers 302 00:18:56,600 --> 00:19:00,920 Speaker 4: of the Lord. In those moments, we can, like King David, 303 00:19:01,040 --> 00:19:04,200 Speaker 4: rest in God's goodness and find comfort and healing in him, 304 00:19:04,880 --> 00:19:07,960 Speaker 4: or we can become bitter like Amaziah and give up 305 00:19:08,000 --> 00:19:12,399 Speaker 4: on God. Amaziah, in his anger and hurt, decided he 306 00:19:12,440 --> 00:19:15,440 Speaker 4: would rather trust in the idols that he could make, 307 00:19:15,560 --> 00:19:18,680 Speaker 4: not the God who made him these false gods gave 308 00:19:18,800 --> 00:19:21,520 Speaker 4: him license to do as he pleased because he felt 309 00:19:21,560 --> 00:19:25,200 Speaker 4: that he could control his own little gods. But as 310 00:19:25,280 --> 00:19:28,600 Speaker 4: all who give into sin and idolatry and disobedience discover, 311 00:19:29,200 --> 00:19:32,320 Speaker 4: Amaziah became controlled by the pleasure of the gods. He 312 00:19:32,400 --> 00:19:35,960 Speaker 4: bowed to God sent a prophet to talk sins into 313 00:19:35,960 --> 00:19:39,320 Speaker 4: the king, but he was too far gone. He would 314 00:19:39,320 --> 00:19:42,840 Speaker 4: not listen. He was filled with pride, and in his arrogance, 315 00:19:43,119 --> 00:19:46,280 Speaker 4: he decided he could face off against Israel and her army. 316 00:19:47,320 --> 00:19:50,400 Speaker 4: King Joe Ash of Israel received his challenge and replied 317 00:19:50,440 --> 00:19:53,480 Speaker 4: with a parable about a thistle that wanted to defeat 318 00:19:53,520 --> 00:19:57,480 Speaker 4: a mighty cedar. In other words, he was warning Amaziah 319 00:19:57,560 --> 00:20:02,520 Speaker 4: to back down. He was outmatched, overmatched, but Amaziah would 320 00:20:02,520 --> 00:20:05,560 Speaker 4: not listen to reason, and God was giving him over 321 00:20:05,600 --> 00:20:09,600 Speaker 4: to his pride. Defeat came swiftly to Judah as ways 322 00:20:09,600 --> 00:20:14,520 Speaker 4: of Israelites overwhelmed them. Amaziah was taken captive and subjected 323 00:20:14,560 --> 00:20:19,640 Speaker 4: to ridicule, paraded through his own capital as a prisoner. Humiliated, 324 00:20:19,960 --> 00:20:22,880 Speaker 4: King Amaziah had to flee his kingdom to avoid being 325 00:20:22,960 --> 00:20:26,520 Speaker 4: killed by his own people. But even then, rather than 326 00:20:26,560 --> 00:20:29,119 Speaker 4: turned to God and repent. He clung to his idols, 327 00:20:29,400 --> 00:20:32,080 Speaker 4: the false gods he could mold and understand, but never 328 00:20:32,359 --> 00:20:36,280 Speaker 4: could truly depend upon to save him. His life shows 329 00:20:36,320 --> 00:20:39,320 Speaker 4: the tragic effects of pride and trying to force the 330 00:20:39,359 --> 00:20:42,520 Speaker 4: hand of God to meet our expectations rather than trusting 331 00:20:42,600 --> 00:20:47,280 Speaker 4: his plans and his destiny for our lives. Dear God, 332 00:20:47,320 --> 00:20:50,080 Speaker 4: we know that your ways are higher than our ways, 333 00:20:50,280 --> 00:20:53,440 Speaker 4: and why we do not always understand why you are 334 00:20:53,480 --> 00:20:57,119 Speaker 4: doing what you do, we do know that you are God, 335 00:20:57,560 --> 00:20:59,760 Speaker 4: that you are in control, that you are on the 336 00:20:59,800 --> 00:21:03,320 Speaker 4: th of our lives. When we trust in you, so Lord, 337 00:21:03,359 --> 00:21:07,199 Speaker 4: we know that what you do is always good, It 338 00:21:07,280 --> 00:21:13,359 Speaker 4: is always best in Jesus' name. Amen. Thank you for 339 00:21:13,440 --> 00:21:17,159 Speaker 4: listening to today's Bible in a Year podcast. I'm pastor 340 00:21:17,240 --> 00:21:21,080 Speaker 4: Jack Graham from Dallas, Texas. Download Theprey dot com app 341 00:21:21,080 --> 00:21:24,439 Speaker 4: and make prayer a priority along with Bible study in 342 00:21:24,480 --> 00:21:27,920 Speaker 4: your life. And if you enjoyed this podcast, be sure 343 00:21:27,960 --> 00:21:30,760 Speaker 4: and share it with someone you know because it can 344 00:21:30,800 --> 00:21:34,439 Speaker 4: truly make a difference in someone else's life. And if 345 00:21:34,480 --> 00:21:37,320 Speaker 4: you want more resources on how you can know the 346 00:21:37,359 --> 00:21:41,440 Speaker 4: Bible and live the Christian life, contact me at Jack 347 00:21:41,520 --> 00:21:46,080 Speaker 4: Graham dot org. That's Jack Graham dot org for many 348 00:21:46,160 --> 00:21:48,639 Speaker 4: resources that will help you in your walk with God. 349 00:21:49,160 --> 00:21:57,320 Speaker 4: God bless you. This episode is sponsored by Meta Share, 350 00:21:57,720 --> 00:22:01,800 Speaker 4: an innovative healthcare solution for Christian to save money without 351 00:22:01,880 --> 00:22:03,080 Speaker 4: sacrificing quality