2 Kings 14, 2 Chronicles 25 | Serve God With Your Whole Heart

In 2 Kings 14, we witness Amaziah's reign as the King of Judah. Despite starting his rule with righteousness, Amaziah's faith wavers as he seeks vengeance against Edom for their earlier conquest. He leads a victorious campaign, defeating Edomites and capturing their capital, Sela. However, his triumph is tainted by his decision to bring back their false gods, which leads to a confrontation with the prophet Azariah. Meanwhile, in the northern kingdom of Israel, Jeroboam II ascends the throne and reigns for 41 years, continuing in the sinful ways of his predecessors. The prophecy of Azariah comes true when Zechariah, son of Jeroboam II, is assassinated, leading to a period of political instability and turmoil.

The account in 2 Chronicles 25 follows the reign of Amaziah, King of Judah. During his rule, Amaziah initiates a military campaign against Edom, seeking to avenge his father's defeat. He assembles an army of mercenaries but is warned by a prophet not to rely on them but to trust in God. Despite his victory over Edom, Amaziah foolishly brings back their idols and worships them, angering the Lord. In a battle against Israel, Judah suffers a devastating defeat, resulting in the capture of hostages and the plundering of Jerusalem and the Temple. Amaziah's reign ends in disgrace and disappointment, as he turns away from God and faces the consequences of his actions.

In the context of the biblical narrative, it was unfortunately quite common for kings in ancient Israel and Judah to neglect the removal of high places. High places were locations of worship, often hilltops or elevated platforms, where people offered sacrifices and engaged in religious practices. However, these high places were not authorized by God and often became centers for idolatrous worship and pagan rituals. Despite the clear instructions given by God to worship Him at the central sanctuary, such as the Tabernacle or later the Temple in Jerusalem, many kings tolerated or even participated in the worship at these unauthorized high places.

Serving God with one's whole heart means dedicating oneself fully to God and faithfully following His commandments. It involves a sincere and genuine devotion to God, placing Him above all else in one's life. Serving God with one's whole heart requires an unwavering commitment, an obedient lifestyle, and a deep love and reverence for Him. It means prioritizing God's will, seeking His guidance, and striving to live in accordance with His teachings. Unfortunately, many kings and leaders in the biblical accounts fell short in this regard, as they allowed idolatry and compromised their faith by not fully devoting themselves to God.