Reading: II Kings 14-15
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 (II Kings 14:8).
In today’s reading, we are given two perfect examples of the way in which pride can lead to utter ruin. Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall (Prov. 16:18). The first example is offered by King Jehoash (Joash) of Israel. When we first saw this young king at the bedside of the dying Elisha, we learned that he was a man of weak character. Although he personally knew Elisha and had first-hand knowledge of the power of God, he never understood that God’s power was what lifted him up as king. When he experienced victory after victory over the Syrians, he boasted of his own prowess as a leader instead of giving the credit to God. Later, when he defeated King Amaziah of Judah, he wasn’t content merely to be victorious. He capitalized on his victory by raiding and looting God’s Temple. And he took all the gold and silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house of the Lord, and in the treasures of the king’s house, and hostages, and returned to Samaria (II Kings 14:14). Jehoash (Joash) had the capacity for greatness at the hands of God (13:23), but instead he squandered his abilities. His footnote in history states; And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord; he departed not from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel sin: but he walked therein (13:11).
Our second example is sadder still. King Amaziah of Judah began his reign under the guidance of the Lord, just as his father Joash (son of Ahaziah) had taught him. God granted him a great victory over the neighboring Edomites. Ironically, it was after his victory that he began to slide away from God. He was so impressed by the Edomites that he stole their idols and worshiped them. Now it came to pass, after that Amaziah was come from the slaughter of the Edomites, that he brought the gods of the children of Seir, and set them up to be his gods, and bowed down himself before them, and burned incense unto them (II Chr. 25:14).
Amaziah was filled with pride in his accomplishments, so much so that he believed himself to be invincible. Without consulting the Lord, he challenged King Jehoash of Israel, arrogantly refusing to back down even when given the chance (II Kings 14:9-6). Predictably, the ensuing battle ended in humiliation for the king and disaster for the nation of Judah.
When we begin placing our faith in the world and our own abilities instead of in God, we are setting ourselves up to fail. Anytime we think of ourselves as smarter, stronger or better than our peers, we should stop and take a good look in the mirror. Do we really have that great of an advantage, or are we seeing only what we want to see? Excessive pride can cloud our judgment and cause us to commit to a course of action that is neither wise nor God-led. The Lord encourages us to be confident in our abilities and decisive in our actions, but only after we have first taken the time to be prayerful, humble, and receptive to His will.
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up (James 4:10).
Thought for Today: Mistaking God’s power for our own shamefully highlights our prideful nature. Without him, we have none.
Christ Revealed:When the Lord struck King Azariah with leprosy and thrust him out from being king (II Kings 15:5-7). This foreshadows the time when Christ shall reign upon the earth and all who have ignored or refused His merciful gift of salvation shall be cast into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:15).
Word Studies: 14:10 lifted thee up = made you proud; 14:12 put to the worse = defeated; 14:25 sea of the plain = the Dead Sea; 15:5 a several house = a separated house; 15:20 exacted = assessed, taxed.
Pray For Staff: Judy McCrary • Government Official: Sen. Richard Shelby (AL) • Country: Mauritania (3,437,610) West Africa on the North Atlantic Ocean • Major Language: Arabic • Islam sole religion of state and citizens • 100% Muslim; Other (Small amount of foreigners - Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jew) • Prayer Suggestion: Go to God in prayer with a heart and life that are keeping His Commandments and He will answer you (I John 3:22).
Optional Reading:Romans 9.