“And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, yet not with a whole heart.” 2 Chronicles 25:2
“After Amaziah came from striking down the Edomites, he brought the gods of the men of Seir and set them up as his gods and worshiped them, making offerings to them. Therefore the Lord was angry with Amaziah and sent to him a prophet, who said to him, ‘Why have you sought the gods of a people who did not deliver their own people from your hand?’ ” 2 chronicles 25:14-15
Amaziah, King of Judah, is one of the eight kings of Judah to receive a positive assessment. He generally did what was right in the eyes of the Lord but failed to destroy the pagan shrines that many in Judah were so seemingly enthralled with. During Amaziah’s war with Edom, he brought back with him to Jerusalem the images of their gods and worshiped them. The Lord sent a prophet to ask him why he sought a people’s gods that Israel’s Jehovah had just defeated. He was warned that God would destroy him as he refused to repent.
Second Kings records that after Amaziah waged the successful war against Edom he then sent messengers to challenge Jehoash, king of Israel. Jehoash tried in vain to dissuade Amaziah. In the ensuing battle, Jehoash defeated the army of Judah, captured Amaziah, destroyed 600 feet of Jerusalem’s wall, looted the temple and royal palace, and carried off hostages (2 Kgs 14:11–14).
As I read the account of Amaziah’s reign recently, I reflected on how easy it is to follow God’s commands to believing faith but stop short of giving our whole heart to Him, surrendering our life to His service and sanctification. Let us resolve to live our life in the service of and victory provided by our Lord and not be enticed by the gods of the world.
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