Today I read 2 Chronicles 25, in which Amaziah reigned as king of Judah until he stopped following God. Today I considered that God blessed the obedience of leaders even if their heart is not right and people only pay for their own actions.
Leadership Through Obedience
Amaziah king of Judah was punished for wrong acts but as long as his actions followed God, he stayed a leader and stayed alive (2 Chronicles 25:1-28). Amaziah became king of Judah at 25 years old and reigned for 29 years. He did the right thing at first but his heart was not in it. Amaziah gathered his army from Judah and hired an army from Israel. A man of God told him not to take the hired army because God is not with them, so Amaziah sent them home. The hired army from Israel was angry and attacked Amaziah’s cities and took treasures while Amaziah was at war. Amaziah warred and won against Seir, brought back Seir’s gods, and worshipped them. This kindled God’s anger and God allowed them to fall into their enemies’ hands, the king of Israel. Amaziah tried to get Joash the king of Israel to talk with him but Israel’s king warned him to leave him alone. Joash the king of Israel finally met Amaziah the king of Judah. Amaziah was defeated and the king of Israel took the king of Judah to Jerusalem to break down the wall and take treasures from the house of the Lord. Afterward when Amaziah turned from following God, people conspired and killed him. God allows us to face punishment or the consequences of our actions but we should turn to God; not like Amaziah turning the other way and losing his kingdom and his life.
Questions and Thoughts for Today
Children die for their own actions and parents die for their own actions (2 Chronicles 25:4) is not something I realized was said in the Bible. I am glad that we follow this principle of the person being punished for their own actions and not for the actions of other family members.
What action have you known of a family member doing that you are glad the punishment did not extend to you?