Proud and Arrogant

                                                                      2 Kings 14:7-14

 

October 17, 2021

 

 

 He struck down ten thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt and took Sela by storm, and called it Joktheel, which is its name to this day.

Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz, son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, “Come, let us look one another in the face.”   And Jehoash king of Israel sent word to Amaziah king of Judah, “A thistle on Lebanon sent to a cedar on Lebanon, saying, ‘Give your daughter to my son for a wife,’ and a wild beast of Lebanon passed by and trampled down the thistle.   You have indeed struck down Edom, and your heart has lifted you up. Be content with your glory, and stay at home, for why should you provoke trouble so that you fall, you and Judah with you?”

But Amaziah would not listen. So, Jehoash king of Israel went up, and he and Amaziah king of Judah faced one another in battle at Beth-shemesh, which belongs to Judah.   And Judah was defeated by Israel, and every man fled to his home.   And Jehoash king of Israel captured Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Jehoash, son of Ahaziah, at Beth-shemesh, and came to Jerusalem and broke down the wall of Jerusalem for four hundred cubits,  from the Ephraim Gate to the Corner Gate.  And he seized all the gold and silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house of the Lord and in the treasuries of the king’s house, also hostages, and he returned to Samaria.

 

One should always be mindful of this account of Amaziah's victory over the Edomites.  It is a time to give thanks to God for what He has done, but often we act like Amaziah and become proud and arrogant and do stupid acts.

 

That is what Amaziah did by going to battle with Israel, and I believe God was using the king of Israel to warn him not to be foolish and war with his brothers, but pride and arrogance won the day, and disaster came on not only Amaziah but the people of Judah.

 

As a follower of Christ, it is easy to get full of yourself and bring disaster to your business, your church, or your family, and in the name of Jesus.  So be on your guard, after God has given you a victory.

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice