To Be Far From God Is Ruin

BIBLE STUDY #789-CHURCH IN THE HOUSES TUESDAY OCT 29 - NOV 4, 2013

Topic: “To Be Far From God Is Ruin” 2 Chronicles 25:27

Amaziah, King of Judah, did what was right before the eyes of Jehovah although not like his father David, as far as having a perfect heart for God. (2 Chronicles 25:1 “Amaziah was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years.”) It could be seen in the beginning of his reign that this young king stood out as someone excellent well he performed the political part well, of a good government, but his heart was very deceiving. He also did the part of fulfilling God’s law; nevertheless, he did not do it with a perfect sincerity from the heart. And it is in the heart where the strength of men really is, in a passionate heart for his God. This king of Judah started well, but he did not persevere in doing so. He was able to work with what the law said and he was dedicated to comply with the rules of the state, but he was not able to surrender his heart and maintain it for God always. He was not a man of sincere devotion; he was not an enemy of mercy but rather a cold and indifferent friend. Many just like Amaziah do good things, but not with a perfect heart. To seek God and serve Him with a perfect heart was David’s great quality; it is said that he had a heart like the one God had. (1 Kings 14:8 “…like my servant David, who kept my commands and followed me with all his heart, doing only what was right in my eyes.” Acts 13:22 “…he made David their king. He testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse A MAN AFTER MY OWN HEART; he will do everything I want him to do.’) The contrary, when one has a hardened heart it is that one has determined to resist to obey the Word of God. It is impossible to convince or move someone that rebellious because he is immune to the convictions and warnings of the Holy Spirit. Amaziah was the son of Joash and what happened to his father happened to him, he did not stop doing good deeds for the nation, but he had too many imperfections as far as conserving a faithful heart for God. After the war King Amaziah had against Edom which he defeated, he allowed his hands to be contaminated with the gods of the Edomite and he worshipped them. He yields to the world, to what was pagan. The King was no longer righteous; he did not achieve to be perfect in his heart. Amaziah changed Jehovah to worship the gods of the Edomite when those false gods were not able to deliver him. What great insanity and so strange! It is proper for those who are wrong and don’t want to repent! The brave men who were empowered with the prophetic character had the right to advice the kings. But, Amaziah in his rebelliousness saw as an offense the words of the prophet. He did not accept the advice or the reprimand; well he could not admit the inducement of the prophet (2 Chronicles 25:15, 16). The victory he had achieved had exalted and blinded him. While not able to offer any excuse of his foolishness he appealed to insults. He tells the prophet that it is none of his business. “Have we appointed you an adviser to the king?” He silenced him by saying: “Leave it alone.” And he threatened him “Why, do you want to be killed?” The prophet was reprimanding him with much humbleness so that he would repent. But, the king refused to repent, so the prophet ANNOUNCED HIS RUIN. For Amaziah, now the hidden desires of his heart which he did not take to perfection came to the light. He wanted war with the King of Israel, Joash, grandson of Jehu. The prophet warns him, but he goes on to war where his ruin would come. Poor of him, God had turned His face and handed him over to his own ruin, what he sought himself! His heart had exalted to glorify himself defying Joash, King of Israel. King Joash response and advice was something like this: “Stay at your house and celebrate the success you had with the Edomite and leave me alone, otherwise I will destroy you.” (Vs. 17-20) Amaziah heard him; well this was God’s will who wanted to defeat him. The shame of the defeated are the ruins. Judah fell alongside with his rebellious King Amaziah and each one escaped to his house.

Joash, King of Israel captured Amaziah and took him to Jerusalem and destroyed the walls of Jerusalem. They ransacked the house of God and the treasures of the palace. Joash took as hostages the sons of Amaziah to avoid more discussions on Judah’s behalf. But, Amaziah’s own people conspired to kill him since they detested him. When Amaziah decided to abandon the Lord, he no longer had anyone to protect him; the conspiracy against him began in Jerusalem with his own people. By walking away from God he lost everything, everything. He lost for himself the respect and the fidelity not only from the great ones but also from his subjects. Even there where he escaped they managed to find him and killed him. This is the reality of those who do not seek God with a sincere and perfect heart. Amen.