A thistle in
Lebanon sent a message to a cedar in Lebanon, “Give your daughter to my son in
marriage” (2 Kings 14:9).
Just a few
generations after Jehoshaphat king of Judah went to such great lengths to
restore good relations with Israel, the two countries were once again at each
other’s throats. Jehoash of Israel was a proven leader with several impressive
military victories under his belt. Amaziah of Judah had recently successfully
battled the Edomites.
Amaziah, completely
enamored with himself, was itching for another enemy to defeat and turned his
gaze to the north. Amaziah’s grandfather had been killed by Jehoash’s
grandfather, and it is almost definite there was still bad blood between the
two families. So Amaziah issued a challenge: Come, meet me face to
face, to which Jehoash
sent his poetic reply: Should a cedar concern itself with a thistle?
Stay home; you’re asking for trouble.
Here we have the
proverbial big fish in a small pond scenario. Amaziah had a limited view of the
real world and an elevated opinion of himself. Jehoash’s retort was injurious
to his pride and he couldn’t back down. The ensuing conflict was disastrous for
Judah. Amaziah was captured, Judah’s army was routed, and the enemy broke through
the very gates of Jerusalem. Bad decision on Amaziah’s part.
But that apparently
wasn’t the last mistake Amaziah made, because he survived Jehoash by fifteen
years before being assassinated by his own people.
TODAY’S MEDITATION
How has pride reared its
ugly head in your life? What does God want to teach you?
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