Saturday, June 11, 2022

Now you are arrogant. Glory in your victory, but stay at home!

2 Kings 14:1-16

Amaziah son of Joash king of Judah began to reign.

He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but not as his father David had done. In everything he followed the example of his father Joash. The high places, however, were not removed; the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there.

Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu, king of Israel, with the challenge: “Come, let us face each other in battle.”

But Jehoash king of Israel replied to Amaziah king of Judah: You have indeed defeated Edom and now you are arrogant. Glory in your victory, but stay at home! Why ask for trouble and cause your own downfall and that of Judah also?

Amaziah, however, would not listen, so Jehoash king of Israel attacked. He and Amaziah king of Judah faced each other at Beth Shemesh in Judah. Judah was routed by Israel, and every man fled to his home. Jehoash king of Israel captured Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Joash, the son of Ahaziah, at Beth Shemesh. Then Jehoash went to Jerusalem and broke down the wall of Jerusalem from the Ephraim Gate to the Corner Gate—a section about four hundred cubits long. He took all the gold and silver and all the articles found in the temple of the Lord and in the treasuries of the royal palace. He also took hostages and returned to Samaria.

Amaziah is a 'good' king who reigns for 29 years. Victory over Edom goes to his head. The disastrous challenge to Jehoash brings the forces of Israel right into Jerusalem, looting the Temple and other treasures.

Why?

Amaziah is a good king in Judah, under God's blessing he defeated the Edom and he was arrogant. So he challenges Israel in the battle. But he was defeated before Israel, and many treasures in the Temple and the royal palace were token by Israel's King Jehoash.

No matter what we were, when pride comes to our mind, the falling is begin. Even did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.

Blessing of the Lord come upon us is the grace of the Lord, but we should be more humble for we are the sinner. I am nothing without the Lord!

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亞馬謝打敗以東,擄掠以東的神像,反而拜被擄者的神像。人是神像的主人,反而拜神像。我常常做和亞馬謝一樣的事。我們常常要神幫我們做事情!神不是我們的僕人,不是我們的神像!

亞馬謝打敗以東是神的恩典,不是他多厲害。

亞馬謝因為貪心,以為他打敗以東,他也可以打敗北國,對神現在安排的不滿意,認為北國也是自己國土要爭回來。耶路撒冷城牆被拆,直到他兒子有修復。對神安排的不滿意,結果連原來的也沒有了。千萬不要以為自己了不起,不貪心,不躁進。

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How?

Be humble, for arrogant brings falling and disaster.



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