Amaziah and Jehoash flawed kings

II Kings Chapter 14

Amaziah son of Joash ruled for 29 years and he did what was pleasing in the Lord's sight, but not like his ancestor David. He following instead, the example of his father and did not destroy the pagan shrines. He executed the men who assassinated his father. However, he did not kill the assassin's children according to the Law of Moses. Among his feats were that he killed ten thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt and conquered Sela and changed its name to Joktheel.

One day Amaziah sent a challenge to Israel's king Jehoash to meet in battle.Jehoash replied, "out in the Lebanon mountains a thistle sent a message to a mighty cedar tree: 'give up your daughter in marriage to my son.' But then a wild animal came by and stepped on the thistle, crushing it. You may have destroyed Edom but be content with your victory and stay home." But Amaziah refused to listen to king Jehoash's warning and he went to battle him. King Amaziah lost the battle and was captured. Jehoash ordered six hundred feet of Jersalem' wall demonished and he carried off all the gold and silver utensils left in the Temple of the Lord and palace treasury.

Later there was a conspiracy against Amaziah's life and he fled to Lachish, but his enemies found him and killed him there. His body was brought back to Jerusalem and he was buried there.

The new king crowned was Amaziah's son Uzziah, who rebult Elath and restored it to Judah.

In Israel, Jeroboam II, son of Jehoash, was the ruler for forty one years. He did what was evil in the Lord's sight. He refused to turn from idolatry. He recovered the territories of Israel between Lebo-hamath and the Dead Sea, just as the Lord had promised through Jonah, son of Amittai. And the Lord saw the bitter suffering of everyone in Israel but he would not blot them out completely and instead used Jeroboam II to save them. Jeroboam II recovered Damascus and Hamath from Judah. When he died his son Zachariah became king.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW:In the parable that king Jehoash used to call Amaziah a thistle, he knew Amaziah had overstated his strength, his ambition was greater than his ability.
The significance of taking down a large chunk of Jerusalem's wall: a broken down city wall was a disgrace to its citizen and left them defenseless against invasions.

Jeroboam II gave Israel more national power and material prosperity than at any time since Solomon. But the prophets later wrote that Jeroboam II's administration ignored the policies of justice and fairness and the rich became richer and the poor became poorer.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? Do you equate material possessions with prosperity? Do you equate prosperity with God's blessings? Neither are necessarily true. Material prosperity can mean being self-centered. A common thing in today's society. If by some chance you experience prosperity, you must realize that God holds you accountable for how we use our wealth and success. Everything belongs to God. He gives us gifts and we must keep his interests in mind. This is a lesson Jeroboam II did not learn. We must learn from his mistakes.

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH: Update on Stella: I’m sorry to report that this tiny baby has finally passed and is in heaven with our Lord. She fought a long fight and endured much in her few months. Pray for her family.
Gabe, Wanda, Janice Long’s parents. especially her mother whose cancer has returned, and Arlene’s nephew David. Pray for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life. Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer. Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with MS. Pray for Cyndi Sullivan who was given 14 months to live with cancer, but has made it six years. The pain has returned and she needs our prayers.
UPDATE on Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke, she has 90 percent of her speech back and is home , but continues to have a problem with one arm and hand. She will require long therapy and insurance may soon be a problem since her job was not held for her.
Pray for Robert Sargent with lung cancer and Marthaline Sargent with serious health issues.
Pray for Carolyn’s friend Margaret and her husband who were in a car accident. As elderly drivers they may face a life change which may cost them their independence. Let’s all raise our voices to God to hear our prayers.
Pray for the speedy recovery of Sandy in Minnesota who underwent successful brain surgery for a tumor recently.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, survivors of Japan’s earthquake, survivors of the devastating tornadoes in our southernmost states. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.