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[0:00] 2 Kings 14 verses 1 through 14. Just looking forward so that you understand kind of where we're going. When we get to the 17th chapter, the northern kingdom will fall.

[0:14] The Assyrians will come in as they are used of the Lord to be his disciplinarian agent. And discipline will fall upon the northern kingdom. The southern kingdom will continue throughout the remainder of 2 Kings.

[0:27] But again, there is a grand contrast between 1 and 2 Kings and 1 and 2 Chronicles. One that bears repeating every time we do it.

[0:38] Because with many of these passages and before us this evening in particular. If we want to gain a full understanding of all that's going on. We need to read the parallel passage that is found in the corresponding book.

[0:50] The parallel passage for tonight's passage from 2 Kings 14 will be 2 Chronicles 25. I will not ask you to read it there. But I will mention many things that if you're reading just this passage only.

[1:05] That you will not see here. And the reason is, is because if we read it here. And we confine ourselves and try to understand all that is going on here. Then we will not have a full picture.

[1:17] Because it seems a little out of place. But, 1 and 2 Kings are written so that we may know why the nation of Israel.

[1:28] Both northern and southern kingdoms. Were led into captivity with their corresponding powers that overruled them. The Assyrians first and then the Babylonians. The author of Kings, we don't know who he is.

[1:42] Writes right up until the point. Or, actually he is more than likely writing right after the fall of the southern kingdom to the Babylonians. And he is telling us how they got into that position.

[1:55] The author of 1 and 2 Chronicles is more of an encouragement book. In that it is, because it was one book in Jewish scripture. It is encouraging the nation after they come out of that Babylonian captivity.

[2:09] As to God's faithfulness to his covenant with the family of David. And gives them a history to look back upon. And a certainty as they move forward. That God, even in spite of the nation's failures.

[2:23] And even in spite of all of their mistakes. God has preserved the nation. And they can press forward. It is for these purposes that many people believe.

[2:33] The author of 1 and 2 Kings. Is one of those prophets of that region. Maybe Jeremiah. 1 and 2 Chronicles. Seems to be in line with the Ezra period.

[2:46] Or the school that followed or flowed from Ezra. We're not 100% sure. But we do need to understand why they are here. So when we read these passages. What we're doing is we're looking at what caused the discipline of God.

[3:00] To fall upon his people. We seem kind of down and out a little bit. Because it is this back and forth. Back and forth. Back and forth.

[3:11] We get it even a little bit tonight. We will get it very rapidly. Following this as we get into the 15th and 16th chapters. We have this great succession of kings. Both in the northern kingdom and in the southern kingdom.

[3:21] And it seems to be bouncing back and forth. But don't lose the purpose in the midst of everything that's going on. Understand what we're reading is that God is just in the discipline that comes.

[3:34] Though that discipline is delayed. What God has foretold actually comes about. But this evening in 2 Kings 14 verses 1 through 14.

[3:44] I want you to see the grand danger of pride. The grand danger of pride. It says in the second year of Joash son of Jehoaz king of Israel.

[3:58] Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah became king. He was 25 years old when he became king. And he reigned 29 years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jehoadan of Jerusalem.

[4:12] He did right in the sight of the Lord. Yet not like David his father. He did according to all that Joash his father had done. Only the high places were not taken away. The people still sacrificed and burned incense on the high places.

[4:26] Now it came about as soon as the kingdom was firmly in his hands. That he killed his servants who had slain the king his father. But the sons of the slayers he did not put to death. According to what is written in the book of the law of Moses.

[4:38] As the Lord commanded saying. The father shall not be put to death for the sons. Nor the sons be put to death for the fathers. But each shall be put to death for his own sin. He killed of Edom in the valley of salt 10,000.

[4:51] And took Salem a war. And named it Jachthil to this day. Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash the son of Jehoaz. The son of Jehu king of Israel saying.

[5:02] Come let us face each other. 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.

[5:14] But they're passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon. And trampled the thorn bush. You have indeed defeated Edom. And your heart has become proud. Enjoy your glory and stay at home. For why should you provoke trouble.

[5:26] So that you even you would fall in Judah with you. 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.

[5:39] Which belongs to Judah. Judah was defeated by Israel. And they fled each to his tent. Then Jehoash king of Israel captured Amaziah king of Judah.

[5:50] The son of Jehoash the son of Ahaziah. At Beth Shemesh. And came to Jerusalem and tore down the wall of Jerusalem. From the gate of Ephraim to the corner gate. 400 cubits.

[6:01] He took all the gold and silver and all the utensils. Which were found in the house of the Lord. And in the treasuries of the king's house. The hostages also. And he returned to Samaria.

[6:13] 2 Kings 14 verses 1 through 14. I want you to see this evening. The grand danger of pride. Again our focus.

[6:23] The king of the southern kingdom. At least. In grand schemes. We are also noticing the king of the northern kingdom.

[6:34] But we see it passing. It will be played out a little bit. As we continue on in this chapter. But for this moment. We are looking primarily. At the events that are transpiring.

[6:45] In the southern kingdom of Judah. Judah. Certainly. And surely. Was blessed of the Lord. With greater number of good kings. There were those who did what was right.

[6:57] In the sight of the Lord. And walked in faithfulness. And called the people back to true worship. They had the benefit of the temple. They had the benefit of the proximity. Of the priests. They were there. The Levites were there. One of those kings who had a very good beginning.

[7:11] Was Joash. The son of Amaziah. Not Joash. It's reigning in Israel at this time. But the Joash. The son. The father of Amaziah. And if you remember.

[7:22] It was because he was raised in the temple. In the beginning of his reign. As long as that priest was alive. He did what was right. But it was after the death of that priest. That he began to go his own way.

[7:32] And his end. We find in the 13th chapter. Here comes at the. Plotting and scheming. Of two of his servants. Of which we meet their demise.

[7:42] Here in this chapter. So there are ups and downs. But the same problems. That plagues the northern kingdom. Also plague the southern kingdom. And that is man walking.

[7:53] According to his own ways. Instead of the ways of the Lord. But there is a little bit more. Of a safeguard. Because of the Levites. The priest in the temple. In the presence of God. That is there.

[8:04] In the southern kingdom. But here we see. The grand danger of pride. The pride that crept. Into the life of Amaziah. And the pride that cost.

[8:15] So dearly. The first thing. I want you to notice. Is that pride. Overshadowed. Past moments. Of faithfulness. Pride. Often. Overshadows.

[8:26] Past moments. Of faithfulness. Amaziah. Began his reign. Much like his father. And that is. Doing what was right. In the sight of the Lord. It tells us.

[8:37] That when he ascends. To the throne. He's 25 years old. He reigns for 29. And he does. What is right. In the sight of the Lord. It doesn't say. That he is right. In the sight of the Lord.

[8:48] Make sure. That we keep this balance. And you'll see why. In just a moment. But he. At least. Begins by doing. What is right. In the sight of the Lord. And part of that doing. Is his handling. Of these servants.

[8:59] That killed his father. It says. That when. The kingdom. Was firmly. In his hands. Then he took those. Who had conspired. Against his father. And murdered him. Then judgment. Was rendered. Upon these two servants.

[9:10] And they also died. But he did not extend. That judgment. Until their sons. He followed. The commandments of God. That were given. Through Moses. That is. The father. Should not pay for the sins.

[9:20] Of the sons. Nor the sons. Pay for the sins. Of the father. So we. We see. At least. In his judicial. Ruleings. At the beginning. Of his reign. He is doing. That which is. Right in the sight.

[9:31] Of the Lord. He is. Over extending himself. He's not doing. What. It. Implied by others. That he should take. Full vengeance. And kill all that he can. But rather. He is restraining.

[9:42] Himself. And he is. At least. Administering. What is. Righteous judgment. And right judgment. Because. While God. Used the two servants. We don't ever want to lose sight.

[9:52] Of this either. While God. Used the two servants. To discipline. And to rebuke. And even to. Chastise. Joash. For his rejection. Of the Lord God. That did not excuse.

[10:03] Themselves. From the consequences. Of their own actions. I know that can make your mind. Smoke just a little bit. That God can use. The wickedness. Of an individual. But the individual. Is still.

[10:14] Responsible. For his actions. But that is a very. Biblical. Teaching. That we see. Over and over again. Just because. The Lord God. Uses the wicked. To perform.

[10:24] The righteous judgment. Does not. Excuse. The actions. Of the wicked. From the judgment. Of God. That he's going to use. Because God. Is sovereign. Therefore. He is free. To use.

[10:35] Any means. And every means. Around him. In his sovereignty. He. We have that. In the New Testament. In the Romans 8. Right. God causes.

[10:46] All things. To work together. For the good. Of those who love him. And are called. According to his purposes. It is not. A reality. That he's confined. To only. Use the right. He wants to.

[10:57] But it also. Is not a reality. That God. Excuses. Those whom he uses. For their actions. Not on the personal level. Nor on the national level. The Assyrians. Will pay for their invasion.

[11:08] Of Israel. The Babylonians. Will pay for their invasion. Of Judah. These kingdoms. Which God uses. To judge his people. Will pay the consequences. For their wickedness. We notice this.

[11:21] Over and over again. And here. Amaziah is walking. Faithfully. And doing exactly. What God had commanded. He is disciplining those. Who committed the crime. He's not overextending it.

[11:32] We can even say. That Amaziah. Did what was right. At the beginning of his reign. In his dealings. With Edom. Because Edom. Had revolted. Against the people. Of the Lord. Many chapters back.

[11:43] And we get to the 8th chapter. They were subject to them. And now he's going to go. Regain this land. These were people. That were disciplined. Because when the nation of Israel. Came into the promised land. Of their actions. So he does.

[11:55] He is used. Of the Lord. To again. Of land. And to come into this portion. As a disciplinary action. But what we notice. Is that pride. Is always overshadowing this.

[12:06] Because in the midst of this. We always have this caveat. If you will. It tells us. That he does what is right. In the side of the Lord. But not like his father. David. Pay attention to that. David.

[12:17] David is held forth. Not as an example. Of perfection. But as you know. Scripture tells us. A man after the Lord's own heart. He is a man after God's own heart. So while. He is not perfect.

[12:29] His heart. Is at least. Bent towards the things. Of the Lord. And even in his failures. We find his penitent psalms. And even in his mistakes. And even in his mistakes.

[12:40] And even in his mistakes. And even in his mistakes. What we see in David. Is not perfection. What we meet in David. Is a man with a heart of devotion. My friend.

[12:51] It is absolutely. True. That the devoted heart. Is also attached to a. Body. That messes up. And it is always the heart of the matter.

[13:04] That the Lord God. Looks at. But rather. We are told that he walks. In the ways of Joash. His father. Now that ought to be a red flag for us. Because Joash had a good beginning. And a bad ending.

[13:14] Guess what Amaziah has. A good beginning. And a bad ending. And unfortunately. How we look. Or the pride. That we allow to.

[13:25] Always. Overshadow. The good. That we do. Surely. He had his. Moments. Of faithfulness. Surely. He was doing. But there was this matter.

[13:37] Of his heart. I'll show you. In just a minute. That had his. And it had his wickedness there. And it had his matters. And. And the heart. Will always show itself.

[13:48] Eventually. Because the second thing. We notice. Is pride. Is an overflow. Of the heart. The pride. Of an individual. Is actually. An overflow.

[13:59] Of the heart. Now we know. That Amaziah. Now again. This is where you're going to have to do your due diligence. You're going to have to be like the believers. And search the scriptures.

[14:09] And find out if these things are so. Because we're not going to take time to go there tonight. But I will tell you where they are at. There in second Chronicles chapter 25. You can make that note. Hopefully you can see it later.

[14:20] I don't ever want anyone to ever just trust the word. If that's what the preacher said. So it must be true. I want you to go back. I want you to check. And I want you to know what the word of God declares to you. Because according to the best of my abilities. And the best of my efforts.

[14:31] I try to be accurate. But I too am human like you. But what we find out. Is that Amaziah's heart wasn't fully committed to the Lord his God. Because when it came time to fight Edom.

[14:42] He not only mustered the troops of his own region. Which by the way greatly outnumbers the number of troops that he slays in Edom. But he also hires an additional number of troops from the people of Israel.

[14:55] And he hires them because of his lack of confidence. That God can deliver him with the number of troops that he has. So we need to pay attention to this. Because now all of a sudden doubt begins to creep into faith.

[15:07] After hiring these troops. And committing a certain amount of money. And actually after paying these troops. A prophet comes to Amaziah. This is one of the good things he does by the way.

[15:18] And the prophet declares to Amaziah. You don't need these men. They're not any good. Send them home. These men are wicked. Send them home. And he says what about the money that I've already paid them? He said the Lord God can give you much more than you've already given them.

[15:30] Send them home. Amaziah listens to that prophet. He sends them home. Counts his losses. And goes to battle. And God leads them victoriously to Edom. As a matter of fact it tells us.

[15:42] Not only does he slay 10,000. They capture 10,000 more. Take them to the top of the rock. And have them walk off the rock. And another 10,000 die. So they plunder them. And they are victorious.

[15:55] Based upon the troops they have. Now this is where the character of an individual begins to creep in. Because according to 2 Chronicles. After he slew these people of Edom.

[16:06] Not only did he capture the city. Rename the city. He took the gods. Lowercase g. Of the people of Edom. And brought them to his own house. And began to worship them. So he carried the foreign gods away.

[16:20] And began to worship them. Now a prophet arises and says. Now there was a prophet that came to him before the battle. Now there's a prophet coming to him after the battle.

[16:30] And the prophet says. Essentially. Why would you worship a god that could not keep his own people safe? If the Lord your God delivered you into victory. Why are you worshiping the lowercase g gods of those who you killed?

[16:46] If this God was not strong enough to keep those who worshiped him safe. Why is he worthy of your devotion? By the way. That's a great question. Amaziah gets mad at him.

[16:57] Tells him to be quiet. He said. Did I ask any counsel of you? All of a sudden. You notice the change in heart. Right? Because a little victory is beginning to show what is really in the heart.

[17:07] He said. I didn't ask any counsel of you. So why don't you just be quiet? Because if you're not quiet. Then you will die. The prophet says. Oh I will be quiet. But God will not be mocked.

[17:19] And you will be judged. And he leaves. It is after this. Now a little back story. Because when we read 2 Kings.

[17:29] It seems as if Amaziah. Approaches Jehoash. The king of Israel. Unprovoked. And it seems as if. He is just trying to. Extend his.

[17:42] Kingdom a little further. But the reality is. Is when he sent those troops back to Israel. They got mad. They got paid. But they got mad. They wanted to go fight. And since they got mad.

[17:52] They decided. We all gathered together. To fight a battle. Since we couldn't go fight with them. Why don't we just fight here? So they go into some of the cities of Judah. They raid those cities of Judah. They slay some of the people. And they carry some people hostage.

[18:03] And they take some spoils with them. When Amaziah comes back. He's upset. Because these people. Whom he's already paid. Have also slayed some of his people. He gets a little prideful. Because he's won this great battle.

[18:13] So now he thinks. He's going to expand his kingdom. Back to the kingdom of Solomon. And he's going to take Israel. Back over as well. Because it's astounding.

[18:24] When God gives a little victory. The heart becomes puffed up. But the problem is. Is there's a great separation. Between what happened before he fought the battle. And what's happening after.

[18:35] Before he fought the battle. He's heeding the word of the Lord. Before he fought the battle. He's sacrificing. Even to obey God. After he fought the battle. He's worshiping false gods. And he's dismissing the prophet. But when we read 2 Kings.

[18:47] We notice. That he reaches out to him. We see the same warning. And they go meet. Because what has happened.

[18:58] Even as Jehoahash tells him. Your heart has become proud. He warns him. And tells him. His heart has become proud. Now we don't have to place.

[19:09] All kinds of credence in this. But Josephus who is. An extra biblical. Outside scriptural. Historian tells us. That at that battle. That the fear of the Lord God.

[19:21] Fell upon the men of Judah. So much so. That as soon as the army of Israel. Showed up. They all ran away. Nobody really ever fought. So for all of the.

[19:32] Puffed up stature. And all of the pride. Of the man before them. There was really. They were already defeated. As soon as Israel showed up. What happens.

[19:44] Is. Amaziah's heart. Was not devoted to the Lord. His God. As David. As David. Was. And it is revealed. As soon as he gets a little. Taste of victory. On the war.

[19:55] On the battlefield. And this pride. Begins to flow out of his heart. Because. Always. An overflow. Of the heart. Third.

[20:09] And finally. We notice. That pride. Is an offense. To a holy God. We are told. Over and over. In scripture. That God. Resists. The proud. That one of the things.

[20:21] Which are an abomination. In the sight of holy God. Is a prideful look. If there is one passage. Of scripture. That should. Remind us of this. It would be this one. Because.

[20:31] What we read. In this. Is. That Amaziah. Did what was. In the sight of the Lord. And Jehoash. Did what was. Evil. In the sight of the Lord. But by the time. We get to the 14th verse.

[20:43] He who was doing. What was evil. In the sight of the Lord. Has defeated. The one who was doing. Right in the sight of the Lord. What's the difference? Some have. Went back. And saw. That the last thing.

[20:53] That Jehoash. Did. With any prophet. Was when Elisha. Was dying. And he paid them. The respect. Of going into his presence. And honoring that prophet. But. The last interaction. That Amaziah. Had with any prophet. Was when he told him.

[21:04] To be quiet. Or he would kill him. God really does care. How you respond. To his word. We also see. That while.

[21:14] Joel. Did not do. The things. That were right. Spiritually. Or. Even. In. Any form. Of worship. He was a great. Political leader. We'll see that.

[21:25] As we continue on. But God. Really is dealing. With Amaziah. Because of the spiritual condition. Of his heart. And the pride. That has arisen from it.

[21:36] It is an offense. To a holy God. It tells us. In Chronicles. That the reason. Amaziah.

[21:48] Did not listen. To the warning. Of Jehoash. And they went to battle. Was because. This was. This was. Of the Lord. Don't ever. Miss. Those portions.

[21:59] Of scripture. That this battle. That is going on. Was. Of the Lord. That is. God was. Turning the hearts.

[22:09] Kings. In the palm of his hands. And setting up a battle. Because he is going to. Discipline. And. Buke. Amaziah. But yet.

[22:20] As with every other sin. The sin of pride. Does not only affect. The individual. I tend to believe. The account. That Josephus gives.

[22:31] Because it doesn't. Tell us in the passage. That any number. Of people dies. It just tells us. That they all fled. And they all went. To their own tent. So it seems. To be a battle. In which nobody. Was killed.

[22:43] So that. In the best case scenario. You see. Everybody got scared. They went home. Nobody was killed. But it says. That Jehoash. Captured Amaziah. But he did not kill him.

[22:54] He took him. Back to Jerusalem. And when he took him. Back to Jerusalem. The whole. Pride. Of Amaziah. Was he wanted to. Expand his kingdom. Into the land of Israel.

[23:05] And take over. That portion of land. That was lost. When Rehoboam. Became king. And the nation. Was divided. He thought. Since he had recaptured. Some of the land of Edom. Maybe he can recapture that.

[23:15] He said. I'm strong enough. Mighty enough. The problem is. God had divided the nation. Not man. That was of the Lord. As well. And the pride here. Which had led him to the battle.

[23:26] Will also cost. The nation of Judah dearly. Because he did not kill him. But he says. He took him back to Jerusalem. And he made the people. Open the door for him. And the people opened the door for him. And he went in. And destroyed. A portion of the wall.

[23:37] Some 600 feet. Or 400 cubits. Now. Walls represent security. And prominence. And standing. In the land. So now.

[23:47] All of a sudden. Jerusalem. Is put to shame. Because the walls. Have been torn down. Josephus tells us. That after. Jehoash.

[23:58] Had them tear the wall down. Then Jehoash. Got in his chariot. And rode his chariot. Through that portion of the wall. That had been torn down. And stopped in the middle of the city. What was he doing?

[24:08] He was saying. He was saying. This city is mine. So now. He who was doing. What was evil. In the sight of the Lord.

[24:18] Now has. Essentially. Control. Of Jerusalem. Now he doesn't. Exert that control. We understand that. He goes back to Samaria. Why? Because it's of the Lord.

[24:29] Right? But he showed. That the one. Who is ruling over you. From here. Is so much. Inferior to me. I'm claiming. This city is mine. And he drove his chariot. And he left it. In. Rubbles.

[24:42] What would have been. One thing. To bring shame. Upon a city. And tear a portion. Of its wall down. He went a step further. Because then he went. Into the temple. Of the Lord. And he took out all the gold. And all the silver. And all the utensils. And everything that was precious.

[24:54] So now. Not only has the city. Been. Desecrated. So also has the temple. Of the Lord. God. Almighty. Been. Desecrated. And we see.

[25:06] That it's the pride. Of one individual. That brought such shame. To the people. Because see. Pride. Comes at a great. Danger. Father. Amaziah.

[25:18] Did some things. That were right. But by the time. It's over. We don't think about those. Because all we see. Is a torn down wall. And a. Ransacked temple. Amaziah lives longer.

[25:30] Than Jehoash. Jehoash goes home. And. He continues to reign. And he will reign. For a number of years. After this. We don't. Want to get too far. Ahead of ourselves. But. Much like.

[25:41] His father. Because he followed the Lord. The way his father did. He will also. Flee from. People who start a conspiracy. That eventually kill him. But don't lose heart.

[25:54] Because after. Amaziah. There is a man. That in our text. Here before us. Isn't called by. But you know his name. His name is Azariah.

[26:05] In this text. But you know him better. As Uzziah. And the year. The king Uzziah died. When the prophet. Israel is there. See God is moving.

[26:17] He's. He's doing some wonderful things. One of the most astounding things. We have not got to yet. And that is. That God preserves his people. Quite often. In spite of his people. He's always present.

[26:27] Always willing. And always delivering. But there's. A grand danger. With pride. And the people pay. That God will not be mocked.

[26:38] And he will not allow. The prideful. To remain. And he asks us. To walk humbly. Before him. He may give us victory. Time and time again. And he may do wonderful things. Through us. But we must be reminded.

[26:49] That it is he. Who brought the victory. Not we ourselves. We must be reminded. That the God. Before the battle. Is the same God. We desperately rely upon. After the battle. I believe.

[27:01] That we need. A greater dependence. Upon the Lord. After we win the battle. Than we do. Before we go into the battle. I think it was Charles Spurgeon. Who said the same thing. Because it is then. That we are in great danger.

[27:12] Of pride creeping in. It's easy to be humble. When there's the uncertainty. Of whether we will win or not. But it is after we have won the battle. That the confidence himself. And we soon forget.

[27:24] The one who aided us. On the battlefield. Is the one that we desperately need. At that moment. That pride begins. To come in. But pride. Pride has a great price. And we ought not. Be willing. To pay it. We see it here.

[27:34] In 2nd Kings. 14 verses. 1 through 14. Thank you. My brother. Thank you.

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