Read: 2 Chronicles 24:1-25:28; Romans 12:1-21; Psalm 22:19-31; Proverbs 20:8-10
Joash became the king of Judah at the age of 6 and followed the Lord as long as the priest, Jehoiada lived. Jehoiada had been his surrogate father who chose his two wives and advised him in all his decisions.
Joash restored the temple that needed repair. The Levites had not collected the offerings of the people to give it back to the king so he had them put a box with a hole in it. When the box was full, they had to bring it to the king to open it. He put all the money collected for the restoration of the temple.
Jehoiada died at the age of 130 and the officials flattered Joash into listening to them. They abandoned the work on the temple and enticed the king to worship idols. This caused God to become very displeased. God sent Zechariah, Jehoiada’s son, to tell Joash and the people to repent. Joash had him stoned to death. As he was dying, Zacharaih prayed, “May the Lord see this and call you to account.” God did just that.
The army of Aram came against Joash and killed all of Joash’s officials. Joash was severely wounded and the other officials killed him for killing Zachariah. Joash’s son, Amaziah became king.
Amaziah did what was right in God’s eyes but not with his whole heart. He executed the murderers of his father and recruited more able men for his army. He hired 100,000 men from Israel for 100 talents of silver to help him fight the Edomites.
God sent him a prophet who rebuked him for hiring the Israelites since they were his enemy right then. When he explained to God that he had wasted 100 talents of silver, God told him he could repay that easily. So, Amaziah sent the troops from Israel home. They went home very mad and humiliated. They were trained to fight and going home was a great insult to them. They left ravaging Judah’s land and people as they went.
Amaziah’s army killed 20,000 Edomites and came home carrying their gods with him. He set them up in the temple and started praying to them. God sent a prophet who asked the king why they would bring back gods who could not save their own people from God. The king had the prophet struck down as he was speaking.
Amaziah decided to meet the king of Israel face to face. Jehoash, king of Israel sent him a message that he needed to go home because Israel was much stronger than the Edomites. Amaziah wouldn’t listen so they proceeded towards Israel. Israel met them and captured Amaziah and sent the army of Judah running. He brought Amaziah back to his palace in Jerusalem and tore down a 600 foot section in their wall. They took the ark and all the silver and gold articles from the temple and hostages back to Samaria.
Amaziah survived 15 years after Jehoash’s death, but his own people killed him when he fled. Like his father, he had such a sad ending.
In Romans, Paul gives us the clue to living a successful Christian life. It is presenting your selves as a sacrifice to the Lord. That means giving him your plans, your dreams, your desires and letting him crucify them and resurrect what is to live. Only what he sanctions is worth living. We have all been giving gifts and we will be satisfied and fulfilled when we are walking in our gifts.
Paul gave us great advise for living so we can end well: be sincere in our love, hate evil and cling to good. Honor others above ourselves, be zealous and keep our spiritual passion burning. Share and practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you, rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn. Live at peace with everyone and don’t think yourself better than others. Don’t retaliate but do what is right. God is the one who will get revenge for us. Overcome evil with good. These are easy to say but harder to act out in every day living but this is our goal.
Lord, help us to do the things we know will give you honor. Help us to remember that we don’t live for ourselves but for the honor of Your name.
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