A
thistle in Lebanon sent a message to a cedar in Lebanon, “Give you 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 at odds again.
Jehoash of Israel was a proven leader with several impressive military
victories under his belt. Amaziah of Judah had 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.
Ever
let pride convince you to fight when you should have back down?
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