This chapter parallels 2 Ki 14, also describing King Amaziah’s pride, and his fall to Israel in battle.
“After Amaziah came from striking down the Edomites, he brought the gods… and set them up as his gods and worshiped them, making offerings to them. Therefore the Lord was angry with Amaziah and sent to him a prophet, who said to him, ‘Why have you sought the gods of a people who did not deliver their own people from your hand?… I know that God has determined to destroy you, because you have done this and have not listened to my counsel.’ ” (v14-16)
Amaziah “did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, yet not with a whole heart” (v2), and following his easy victory over a neighboring nation he fell into pride and idolatry. Amaziah did not heed a prophet’s warning, and foolishly provoked Jehoash/Joash King of Israel into a battle which God allowed Judah to lose. Some time later Amaziah was assassinated by his own people, just like his father Jehoash/Joash.
I find this to be a very powerful question: “Why have you sought the gods of a people who did not deliver their own people from your hand?” The unnamed prophet asks Amaziah why he was pursuing something unhelpful.
We can ask ourselves a similar question today: “Why are we pursuing this ________ [product / solution / idea / career / etc.] that seems to promise ________ [happiness, success, prosperity, etc.], but is not from God, and we know it doesn’t always work for everyone?” In my experience, worldly pursuits are not a one-size-fits-all solution. There isn’t a universal diet, clothing brand, vehicle, career path, ideology, medical treatment, etc. that fits everyone’s needs perfectly. It does not exist (that I know of).
What does exist is a universal Sovereign God, Lord and Creator of Heaven and Earth. He is the only one-size-fits-all solution of which I am aware. His word and His Son are for everyone and accessible by everyone, free of charge. All we have to do is confess our sin and accept Jesus as our Lord, Savior, and King.
Pursuing worldly things isn’t necessarily a bad thing – we all need food, clothing, shelter, and a 4×4 truck (I’m kidding about the truck [mostly]). We will have a problem when we pursue things in place of God, elevating them as equal to or greater than Him. Let’s practice the pursuit of God as our primary focus. We can then tell others that Jesus is also the primary solution to their problems, rather than recommending a worldly solution (no matter how good the Amazon reviews are).
Father God, our Sovereign and Holy Lord, You offer the one true universal solution. Father You have given us the gifts of Jesus and Your Spirit, for which we are extremely grateful. Please help us to pursue relationship with You above anything else, and have You alone in the high places. May we elevate Your praise and recognition with our lips, and glorify You with our works. May You be exemplified in our lives, honored in our hearts, and pursued by our feet, forever and ever, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training