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