Becoming Desensitized to God's Word

INTRO

I hope as we continue to study the historical books, you will see it is profitable to look at and review the kings and prophets in Scripture. We have saw the deceit and conspiracy, and yet there are those whom God still used to bring light to the kingdom. The theme of 2 Chronicles is Royal Throne and refers to the establishment of God’s kingdom on earth through Jesus Christ. We continue to work on the establishment of His kingdom today through faith. In our study of 2 Chronicles 25—27, we’ll study three kings: Amaziah, Uzziah, and Jotham.

TEACHING

2 Chronicles 25:1-8: King Amaziah, the son of Joash, began his reign at the age of 25, and he reigned 29 years (v. 1). Amaziah did right in the sight of the Lord, but he did not have a perfect heart—he did not have complete belief in God and lacked the passion to walk out his calling completely (v. 2). Amaziah killed his father’s servants who took his father’s life (v. 3), however, based on the book of Moses, he did not kill their children. He knew the principles of his faith (v. 4). Amaziah then organized the men of Judah into groups and counted those who were 20 years or older, finding 300,000 choice soldiers (v. 5). Amaziah also hired 100,000 men from Israel, the northern kingdom (v. 6). Scripture does not state whether or not Amaziah made a political alliance with Israel, but a man of God (a prophet) told Amaziah God was not with Israel, and he would lose in battle if he took the Israelite soldiers with him (vv. 7-8).

What is God’s part in how all this played out? “God has the power to help” and the power “to make one stumble” (v. 8). What happens lies in the difference of obedience (or not) to what God has spoken.

2 Chronicles 25:9-27: Amaziah pointed out he already paid for the Israelite soldiers, but the man of God stated that God would give much more support than his paid army (v. 9). Therefore, Amaziah separated out the Israelite soldiers that sent them home, however they were angry with the nation of Judah because they would not receive the spoils from the war (v. 10). Amaziah led his army against Seir to victory (v. 11). Amaziah wanted to be obedient to God, but he, also, brought back the gods of the Seirites and worshipped them (v. 14). God’s anger was kindled by Amaziah’s actions and the declining faith in Judah (something we’ll see in all three of these chapters). God sent a prophet to ask Amaziah why he was seeking out the pagan gods who had no power when God gave them the victory (v. 15).

In anger and pride, Amaziah took advice (from his counselors, not God's prophets) and called for King Jehoash of Israel to meet with him (vv. 16-17). Amaziah tried to form an alliance with Jehoash which was rejected. This led to war, the defeat of Judah and Amaziah’s capture. He was eventually killed in Lachish (vv. 18-27).

2 Chronicles 26:1-23: Amaziah’s son Uzziah became the next king at the age of 16 and restored Judah, reigning 52 years (vv. 1-3). Uzziah did right in God’s sight, seeking God (v. 4). In spite of the fact Uzziah was a good king, there seemed to be a desensitizing of the people of what God expected. Uzziah sought God through Zechariah (not the prophet who has a book in the Old Testament); Uzziah prospered as long as he sought God's will (vv. 5-6). When he became successful, Uzziah also became arrogant and went into the temple and burned incense (v. 16). The priests told Uzziah he had no right to offer incense to the Lord because he was not a priest (vv. 17-18). Uzziah was angry, and leprosy struck him at that moment while he was still in the temple (vv. 19). God needs cooperation and obedience, not arrogance and pride. As a leper, Uzziah was removed from Jerusalem and lived out his days in quarantine (vv. 20-23).

2 Chronicles 27:1-14: Uzziah’s son Jotham became the next king at the age of 25 and reigned 16 years (v. 1). Jotham did what was right in the Lord and did not enter the temple as his father had done, yet the people acted corruptly (v. 2). He did right, but what was his normal? We have to have a baseline in the Word of God as a moral compass to know how to draw lines and be in balance with God. However, we too can become desensitized to God’s Word and His calling. We’re fooling ourselves if we believe we are not living in a desensitized world.

CLOSING

There was continual work of the kings that demonstrated a level of power. How that power was handled was significant. Power can lead to pride, idolatry, self-reliance and self-governance, lack of honor for leadership, and corruption in people.

John 10:10 states, “A thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.” We have to decide to whom we will be devoted and consecrated. The enemy continues to work. Who will you follow?