Contemplative Bible Reading

Some thoughts about Bible verses

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The Idols of Defeated Enemies

June 20th, 2009 · No Comments

2 Chronicles 25:14 (New International Version)

When Amaziah returned from slaughtering the Edomites, he brought back the gods of the people of Seir. He set them up as his own gods, bowed down to them and burned sacrifices to them.

Amaziah was a King of Judah. Earlier in this chapter, we are told that he was a good king as “He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD.”

That verse ends with, “but not wholeheartedly.” Part of that “not wholeheartedly” (why don’t we use words like that anymore?) comes here in verse 14. God had just given an enemy into the hands of King Amaziah. He had killed 20,000 enemy soldiers in battle. His soldiers also carried off lots of plunder. Great success led by God.

So what did Amaziah do? He grabbed the gods of his defeated enemies, brougth them home, and worshipped them. Maybe you could grab these gods (idols is all the were, chunks of carved stone), bring them home, and grind them to a pulp to make cement or something. Bring them home and worship them?

First, this is plain stupid. These gods were no good. See the result of the battle.

Second, this is idolatry. God had just given Amaziah a great victory. Hey Amaziah, how about celebrating with a great big worship-the-one-true-God event?

What has he thinking? Evidently, not much.

We don’t do this type of stupid idolatry today, or do we?

  • We defeat the addiction to smoking and instead turn to an addiction to food snacks.
  • We defeat an addiction to alcohol by staying home and becoming addicted to watching TV.

The list could go on and on. We replace one idol with another.

God, help me to see idolatry in its many forms. Help me to worship You and You alone.

Tags: 2 Chronicles

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