The Temptation After Trusting God

2 Chronicles 25:1–2 (ESV) Amaziah was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem. 2 And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, yet not with a whole heart.

The story of Amaziah would seem a mystery. He sets out to develop Judah's army. Then he goes so far as to enlist men from Israel to join and succeeds by securing 100,000 men from Ephraim to join his army. It is then the prophet speaks:

2 Chronicles 25:7–8 (ESV) But a man of God came to him and said, “O king, do not let the army of Israel go with you, for the LORD is not with Israel, with all these Ephraimites. 8 But go, act, be strong for the battle. Why should you suppose that God will cast you down before the enemy? For God has power to help or to cast down.”

Amaziah is concerned about the money he already paid these mercenaries. And the man of God replies with an important truth.

2 Chronicles 25:9 (ESV) And Amaziah said to the man of God, “But what shall we do about the hundred talents that I have given to the army of Israel?” The man of God answered, “The LORD is able to give you much more than this.”

So often we think we need to hold on to the things we have acquired or achieved. We do this because we forget God is able to restore whatever true obedience may "cost" us. He owns the world. Paul speaks about this when compelling the Corinthians to give abundantly to the mission in Jerusalem:

2 Corinthians 9:8-9 (ESV) And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 9 As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”

We hold on to this world when we forget that God has all that we need because He owns all we have anyway. Amaziah receives the word and follows through.

2 Chronicles 25:10 (ESV) Then Amaziah discharged the army that had come to him from Ephraim to go home again. And they became very angry with Judah and returned home in fierce anger.

Now, this leads me to a bigger point in the narrative. I believe there's another temptation that comes upon us when we choose to obey God instead of relying on men or things in this world. Let's give Amaziah credit, he heeded the prophet's words, but now he's got another problem. The problem of people's disapproval. And as a king, he feels he needs it. This is the often unspoken reality of obeying the Lord. We obey, then people reject and we face the real temptation to appease in order to regain some standing in their eyes. Friend, I share this so that you may be ready and able to face it. When that temptation to appease people's opinion comes after obeying God, don't be surprised, and do not waver. Your Father will sustain you.

Amaziah wasn't prepared for this temptation. And while God gave him great success against Edom, in the end he falls for their idolatry and inevitable disrepute. 

2 Chronicles 25:14 (ESV) 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.

Another prophet warns him of this action and he resoundingly rejects the admonition. He then seeks engagement with Joash in Israel - the very nation the Lord told him to stay away from! The Lord uses this moment to humble him and bring him low. He dies in defeat. Why? Because he didn't consider and wasn't prepared for the temptation that comes after you trust and obey God. The temptation to be accepted by those who should be rejecting you. Jesus told us plainly, the world will hate us. Expect and receive it as a badge of honor. For in the last day only heaven's opinion will count.

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