2 Chronicles, 25
8. And if thou think that battles consist in the strength of the army, God will make thee to be overcome by the enemies: for it belongeth to God both to help, and to put to flight.
8. And if thou think that battles consist in the strength of the army, God will make thee to be overcome by the enemies: for it belongeth to God both to help, and to put to flight.
Chapter 25 of 2 Chronicles tells the story of Amaziah, king of Judah, and his war against Edom. He hired Israeli soldiers to help him, but a prophet warned him that God was not with them. Even so, Amaziah defeated Edom, but brought back their gods and loved them, challenging God. Here are five verses related to the topics addressed in 2 chronicles 25:
Deuteronomy 17:17: "He will not have many women either, so that his heart may not deviate; neither silver nor gold will accumulate to himself in excess." This verse talks about the need for a king not to have many women or accumulate excessive riches, not to deviate from God's way. Amazias, however, accumulated soldiers and fought for money, ignoring the prophet's warnings.
Exodus 20:3: "You will not have other gods before me." This is one of the ten commandments, which emphasizes the exclusivity of worship of God. Amaziah, after the victory over Edom, brought back the Edomite gods and loved them, challenging God.
2 Kings 14:7: "He killed ten thousand eDomites in the Valley of Sal and conquered the seal, named him of Joceteel, as he is known to this day." This verse describes one of the military achievements of Amaziah against Edom. This victory is mentioned in 2 chronicles 25 as the motivation of Amaziah to hire Israeli soldiers.
Proverbs 16:18: "Pride precedes ruin; the arrogant spirit, the fall." This verse warns of the dangers of pride and arrogance. Amaziah became proud after the victory over Edom and did not hear the warning of the prophet of God.
2 Chronicles 25:20: "But Amazias did not want to hear him, because it came from God to deliver them into the hands of the enemies, since they sought the gods of Edom." This verse shows Amaziah's stubbornness not to hear the prophet's warning and how he ignored the consequences of his disobedience to God.
“Deus nunca me recusou um pedido”. São Padre Pio de Pietrelcina