Don't Meddle, 1 Kings 14:1-14

Jack Abeelen
Quit Meddling!
1 Kings 14:1-14
9/21/19

Amaziah, son of Joash King of Judah, 25 years old,  ruled 29 years
"He did what was right in the sight of the Lord, yet not like David..."

Backround Setting:
796 BC Joash King of Southern Kingdom of Judah

broke into two kingdoms after Solomon died.

Northern kingdom (Israel) took 10 tribes, went north, changes feast days, lowered standards for priests, never walked with God, not good king among them, wiped out by Assyrians in 722, God had never ordained them/sanctioned them to be a kingdom, break away group, after Assyrian conquest, never established, then destroyed once and for all.

Southern kingdom (Judah)
8 good kings of Southern Kingdom, 606 BC until Babylon took into captivity, for 70 years, then reestablished.
Joash was king of southern area of Judah, then assassinated (chapter 12), then Amaziah came to throne, reigned 29 years, then killed, then Uzziah/Azariah 16 yo son comes to throne, ruled 52 years
8 good kings of Judah
4 of 8 good kings of Judah reigned in succession.  Amaziah was 2nd of the 4 that ruled in succession.

Amaziah----"He did what was right in the sight of the Lord, yet not like..."
A believer, walking with God, but not in same degree of devotion
Idolatry was not addressed.  High places--where God said you shouldn't worship there because cults did--were not curbed and still allowed.  Obeyed the Lord in many good ways.  But, his devotion was marginal, or maybe questionable, or maybe not as effective as could have been.  Describes a lot of people, in church, love the Lord, but when it comes to fruit...

v5  When kingdom came into his hands, he executed his servants who murdered his father, but not their children according to law of Moses (Deuteronomy 24--fathers not put to death for children or children for fathers). Maybe a biblical answer for reparations there?

His first action was to get rid of his father's murderers, and he did it with restraint.  A young guy those days easily could have wiped them all out.  He was interested in the law of God, he behaved himself responsibly, he showed restraint.  He didn't go to vengeance but to justice. God points it out as something that he had done well.

v 7 Then killed 10,000 Edomites in the valley of Salt, took Selah by war, called the name of the place
Joktheel, means "to be blessed by God."  His military campaign that the Lord first gives us in an inroad into Edom. He did the seemingly impossible took the city of Selah (old name for Petra--where Jews will hide in the Great Tribulation).

Get a picture of this 25 year old guy:
He comes to the throne, has a modicum of spirituality, restrains himself with vengeance.  He goes out to fight the enemies of Israel, and God goes with him and he calls the city he takes over "God has blessed us."

We only have one verse in Kings to describe the battle (but in 2 Chronicles 25, whole chapter). In order to prepare for his battle Amaziah was able to gather 300,000 from Judah to fight.  He didn't think that was enough, so he went to the north. He went to tribe of Ephriam and hired 100,000 mercenaries.  Paid them 100 talents of silver, huge payment.

However, according to 2 Chronicles 25, God sends a prophet to tell him "I'll fight with you.  Do not involve the North because they are cursed."  Amaziah says about the 100 talents of silver? God says just count it as a loss, leave it go.  He sent them home.  They were extremely insulted on the way, they destroy several cities of Judah and kill people.  They went away, but his rashness came with a price.  In obedience,God gave him a great victory.

Young man returns home, flushed with confidence, instead of being thankful to the Lord, he took some of the Edomite Gods, brought them home, set some of them up in his house and in his place of worship (whether he did that to mock them or show dominance over them, it's not clear).  Everyone who knows him would associate him with these Gods he set up.

God sends him a prophet again, and the Lord says "get rid of those." He wouldn't do it. This time he refuses.  He walked away from God's blessing, and he began to be filled with his own kind of pride.

Back to v. 8 in 1 Kings--Amaziah sends a messenger to the Northern King of Israel

The thistle in Lebanon sent to the cedar in Lebanon.  You have indeed defeated Edom.

"You have indeed struck down Edom, and your heart has lifted you up. Be content with your glory, and stay at home, for why should you provoke trouble so that you fall, you and Judah with you?”" 2 Kings 14:10

Says to Northern King, "Come let us face one another in battle."  Threatens a guy who a horrible king, but who is more powerful, been around for a number of years.

Two mistakes:
1. Refused to remove idols
2. Threatens man who God did not call upon him to fight with.

Jehohaz is older and wiser king, (even though a bad king and wicked) gives him great advice:

"And Jehoash king of Israel sent word to Amaziah king of Judah, “A thistle on Lebanon sent to a cedar on Lebanon, saying, ‘Give your daughter to my son for a wife,’ and a wild beast of Lebanon passed by and trampled down the thistle. You have indeed struck down Edom, and your heart has lifted you up. Be content with your glory, and stay at home, for why should you provoke trouble so that you fall, you and Judah with you?” -2 Kings 14:9-10

Advice?--enjoy what God has given you.  Just stay home.  Enjoy where you've come.  Realize it's God's grace not you.  We are here because God has gotten us this far.

The battle was brought where he was.  He's chased. captured. POW's hauled away.  Walls broken down. Wealth taken. Entire city is open to whomever would like to enjoy.

Out of touch with God.  Wouldn't hear of any counsel.  Battle was brought to where Amaziah lives.  He was chases, captured. Walls broken down. Wealth stolen. Men captives.  Entire city now open to whoever wants to come in to destroy.

Don't meddle to your own hurt.

He was strong until his heart was lifted up.
He was good until he wasn't.
Don't forget how you got here.
Every mountaintop experience has a valley waiting for you.  You better take what you learned on the mountain into the valley.

Transfiguration---Lord had to interrupt Peter....and they went down to the valley where the devil was waiting...always that way.  We need God confidence, not self-confidence  2 Corinthians 10--Be careful when you stand, lest you fall.  In my flesh dwells no good thing.

In my flesh dwells no good thing. He who has a proud heart will stir up strife.
God knows our spiritual condition.  He pities us like we are kids.  We are four year olds "making muscles."
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

He who has a proud heart stirs up strife.
Proverbs 6: "How can you take fire in your bosom and not be burned?"
Don't take on the world.  Do it with God's blessing.
You can meddle to your own hurt.  It's why we are to stay out of the world.