2 Crônicas 25
David Guzik · Citado em PreceptAustin
2 Crônicas 25
Guzik: Amaziah heard and understood the word of God from His messenger. Yet his question was familiar: “How much will it cost me to be obedient?” This is not necessarily a bad question to ask if we are willing to be persuaded by the LORD’s answer. “The LORD is able to give you much more than this” -- The prophet wisely answered Amaziah. Whatever obedience costs, it is always ultimately cheaper than disobedience. F B
2 Crônicas 25
Guzik: He had reason to believe he would be successful. He had recently assembled a 300,000 man army that killed 20,000 men in a victory over Edom (2 Chronicles 25:5, 11-12). King Joash (Jehoahaz) of Israel seemed very weak, having only 50 horsemen, 10 chariots, and 10,000 foot soldiers after being defeated by the Syrians (2 Kings 13:7). Matthew Henry Notes: Verses: 2Ch 25:17-28 We have here this degenerate prince mortified by his neighbour and murdered by his own subjects. I. Never was proud prince more thoroughly mortified than Amaziah was by Joash king of Israel. 1. This part of the story (which was as fully related 2 Ki. 14:8, etc., as it is here)-embracing the foolish challenge which Amaziah sent to Joash (2Ch 25:17), his haughty scornful answer to it (2Ch 25:18), with the friendly advice he gave him to sit still and know when he was well off, (2Ch 25:19),-his wilfully persisting in his challenge (2Ch 25:20, 21), the defeat that was given him (2Ch 25:22), and the calamity he brought upon himself and his city thereby 2Ch 25:23, 24),-verifies two of Solomon's proverbs:- (1.) That a man's pride will bring him low, Prov. 29:23. It goes before his destruction; not only procures it meritoriously, but is often the immediate occasion of it. He that exalteth himself shall be abased. (2.) That he that goes forth hastily to strive will probably not know what to do in the end thereof, when his neighbour has put him to shame, Prov. 25:8. He that is fond of contention may have enough of it sooner than he thinks of. 2. But there are two passages in this story which we had not before in the Kings. (1.) That Amaziah took advice before he challenged the king of Israel, 2Ch 25:17. But of whom? Not of the prophet-he was not made of the king's counsel; but of his statesmen that would flatter him and bid him go up and prosper. It is good to take advice, but then it must be of those that are fit to advise us. Those that will not take advice from the word of God, which would guide them aright, will justly be left to the bad advice of those that will counsel them to their destruction. Let those be made fools that will not be made wise. (2.) Amaziah's imprudence is here made the punishment of his impiety (2Ch 25:20): It was of the Lord; he left him to himself to act thus foolishly, that he and his people might be delivered into the hands of their enemies, because they had forsaken God and sought after the gods of Edom. Those that will not persuaded to do well for their souls will justly be given up to their own counsels to do ill for themselves even in their outward affairs. II. Never was poor prince more violently pursued by his own subjects. From the time that he departed from the Lord (so it may be read, 2Ch 25:27) the hearts of his subjects departed from him, and they began to form a design against him in Jerusalem. It is probable they were exasperated against him more for his rashly engaging in a war against Israel than for his worshipping the gods of Edom. But at length the ferment grew so high, and he perceived the plot to be laid so deeply, that he thought fit to quit his royal city and flee to Lachish, either as a private place where he might be hid or as a strong place where he might be guarded; but they sent after him thither, and slew him there. By this the putting of him to death seems to have been done deliberately, and to have been the act, not of a disgusted servant or two, but of a considerable body that durst avow it. How unrighteous soever they were herein, God was righteous. 2 Chronicles 25:18 Joash the king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, “The thorn bush which was in Lebanon sent to the cedar which was in Lebanon, saying, ‘Give your daughter to my son in marriage.’ But there passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon and trampled the thorn bush. thorn, Judges 9:8-15 1Ki 4:33 a wild beast: Heb. a beast of the field, Ps 80:13 Parallel Passage: 2 Kings 14:9+ Jehoash king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, “The thorn bush which was in Lebanon sent to the cedar which was in Lebanon, saying, ‘Give your daughter to my son in marriage.’ But there passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon, and trampled the thorn bush. A PARABLE TO AMAZIAH Joash the king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, “The thorn bush which was in Lebanon sent to the cedar which was in Lebanon, saying, ‘Give your daughter to my son in marriage.’ But there passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon and trampled the thorn bush Jehoash tried to cut Amaziah down to size with this parable: A thorn bush (thistle - symbolizing Amaziah) tried to make himself equal with a cedar tree (Jehoash) until a wild beast accidently stepped on him and stopped his ambitious plans. Amaziah was the thistle — fragile and easily crushed — while Israel was the cedar. Amaziah should stay home and be content with his trophies (including his little gods). NET NOTE The thorn bush in the allegory is Judah. Amaziah’s success had deceived him into thinking he was on the same level as the major powers in the area (symbolized by the cedar). In reality he was not capable of withstanding an attack by a real military power such as Israel (symbolized by the wild animal). Dilday: The thistle, imagining himself to be equal with the cedar, presumptuously suggested a marriage alliance between them. The difference between the two was made obvious when a wild beast passed through and crushed the thistle underfoot. Of course the beast was powerless to injure the cedar. J.A. Thompson: Jehoash’s fable about the arrogant thistle is similar to Jotham’s allegory about the thornbush in Judges 9:7-15. The Chronicler viewed pride as a grievous sin and can be heard speaking through Jehoash. To have supposed that a victory over Edom was a warrant for attacking Jehoash and a guarantee of another victory was arrogant and foolish. Amaziah would be wiser to remain at home. His action would bring about his own downfall and that of his nation Judah as well (cf. 26:16). (The New American Commentary – Volume 9 – 1, 2 Chronicles) YHWH was speaking through Israel's pagan king, warning the Davidic seed. Bob Utley Agricultural analogies or fables were common in the ANE (i.e., Samson). Judah thought she was a tree but she was a bush! What is surprising is Israel's humility and patience. YHWH was speaking through Israel's pagan king, warning the Davidic seed. YHWH tries to sway human volition but He allows its choices and consequences. Life is not a pre-written script. Foreknowledge must not be confused with determinism. Apparently there was friendship between Judah and Israel. ability to hire mercenaries, 2 Chr. 25:6 marriage proposal (i.e., even if rejected), 2 Chr. 25:18 the king of Israel's attempt not to go to war, 2 Chr. 25:17-19 "the wild beast" This may be the 100,000 soldiers who were furious (cf. 2 Chr. 25:10). 2 Chronicles 25:19 “You said, ‘Behold, you have defeated Edom.’ And your heart has become proud in boasting. Now stay at home; for why should you provoke trouble so that you, even you, would fall and Judah with you?” NET You defeated Edom and it has gone to your head. Gloat over your success, but stay in your palace. Why bring calamity on yourself? Why bring down yourself and Judah along with you?" BGT εἶπας ἰδοὺ ἐπάταξας τὴν Ιδουμαίαν καὶ ἐπαίρει σε ἡ καρδία ἡ βαρεῖα νῦν κάθησο ἐν οἴκῳ σου καὶ ἵνα τί συμβάλλεις ἐν κακίᾳ καὶ πεσῇ σὺ καὶ Ιουδας μετὰ σοῦ LXE Thou hast said, Behold, I have smitten Idumea, and thy stout heart exalts thee: now stay at home; for why dost thou implicate thyself in mischief, that thou shouldest fall, and Juda with thee. CSB You have said, 'Look, I have defeated Edom,' and you have become overconfident that you will get glory. Now stay at home. Why stir up such trouble so that you fall and Judah with you?" ESV You say, 'See, I have struck down Edom,' and your heart has lifted you up in boastfulness. But now stay at home. Why should you provoke trouble so that you fall, you and Judah with you?" NIV You say to yourself that you have defeated Edom, and now you are arrogant and proud. But stay at home! Why ask for trouble and cause your own downfall and that of Judah also?" NLT "You are saying, 'I have defeated Edom,' and you are very proud of it. But my advice is to stay at home. Why stir up trouble that will only bring disaster on you and the people of Judah?" YLT Thou hast said, Lo, I have smitten Edom; and thy heart hath lifted thee up to boast; now, abide in thy house, why dost thou stir thyself up in evil, that thou hast fallen, thou, and Judah with thee?' heart: 2Ch 26:16 32:25 De 8:14 Pr 13:10 16:18 28:25 Da 5:20-23 Hab 2:4 Jas 4:6 1Pe 5:5 to boast: Jer 9:23 1Co 1:29 why should: 2Ch 35:21 Pr 18:6 20:3 26:17 Lu 14:31 Parallel Passage: 2 Kings 14:10+ “You have indeed defeated Edom, and your heart has become proud. Enjoy your glory and stay at home; for why should you provoke trouble so that you, even you, would fall, and Judah with you? NOW WE COME TO THE HEART OF THE PROBLEM You said, ‘Behold (hinneh; LXX - idou - trying to get Amaziah's full attention!) you have defeated Edom NET You defeated Edom and it has gone to your head. Gloat over your success, but stay in your palace. Why bring calamity on yourself? Why bring down yourself and Judah along with you?" NET NOTE Heb “you say [to yourself], ‘look, you have defeated Edom.’ ” And (important connective with Amaziah's victory) your heart has become proud in boasting. ESV - "your heart has lifted you up in boastfulnes"Jehoash cuts to the quick identifying the heart of Amaziah's problem as the pride in his heart! Jehoash is not exactly the most spiritually astute man on the block, but in this case he nails Amaziah's sin of pride (note the middle letter of the word pride, and same with sin = "I"). NET NOTE proud - Heb “and your heart is lifted up.” Now stay at home - Jehoash gives Amazian wise advice - stay put! For - Term of explanation. What is Jehoash explaining? Why should you provoke (garah - stir up) trouble so that (term of result) you, even you, would fall and Judah with you?” The question is somewhat rhetorical. He is saying if you come against me, that will provoke trouble. And then he adds that (so to speak) two dominoes would tumble - Amaziah and Judah. Jehoash is speaking like a prophet at this point, for 2Ch 25:20 tells us that Jehoash's warning "was from God." In effect, this would have been the third "prophet" Amaziah had encountered and he would prove to have a low reception rate, listening only to the first unnamed prophet. Pride is distorting his common sense and driving his fleshly desire to defeat Jehoash. NET NOTE Heb “Why get involved in calamity and fall, you and Judah with you? Bob Utley King Amaziah was overconfident because of his defeat of a smaller Edomite army (i.e., 20,000 casualties), but Israel was a much larger army. (ED: I WOULD ADD THAT YAHWEH WAS ALSO AGAINST AMAZIAH, SO ISRAEL WOULD HAVE DEFEATED AMAZIAH IF THEY HAD HAD ONLY ONE SOLDIER - 2Ch 25:20! RECALL ELISHA'S SINGLE HANDED CAPTURE OF AN ENTIRE ARAMEAN ARMY! 2Ki 6:15-23+) David Guzik: Amaziah should have listened to this word from Jehoash, but he didn’t. He provoked a fight he should have avoided, and did not consider either the likelihood of success or the effect his defeat would have on the whole kingdom of Judah. 2 Chronicles 25:20 But Amaziah would not listen, for it was from God, that He might deliver them into the hand of Joash because they had sought the gods of Edom. it was from God: 2Ch 25:16 22:7 1Ki 12:15 Ps 81:11,12 Ac 28:25-27 2Th 2:9-11 1Pe 2:8 sought: 2Ch 25:14 Parallel Passage: 2 Kings 14:11+ But Amaziah would not listen. So Jehoash king of Israel went up; and he and Amaziah king of Judah faced each other at Beth-shemesh, which belongs to Judah. AMAZIAH'S "UNCIRCUMCISED EARS" But - Term of contrast. Oh my, when the heart is filled with pride, the mind is empty of common sense. Amaziah would not listen (shama; LXX - akouo) - This is what pride will do to your ears! It will close your ears to the voice of God! Jehoash was broadcasting on the FM Band but the only thing Amaziah could hear was the AM Band, for that is where his hard heart was tuned. It reminds me of Stephen's words in Acts 7:51+ “You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did (AKA AMAZIAH)." For it was from God, - God is amazing. He can speak through a donkey to Balaam and here He speaks through an apostate king to a stubborn donkey of a king! God is jealous and therefore would avenge the spiritual adultery of Amaziah and Judah (See Israel the Wife of Jehovah) Bob