Contemplative Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 24:23-24 (New Living Translation)

23 In the spring of the year the Aramean army marched against Joash. They invaded Judah and Jerusalem and killed all the leaders of the nation. Then they sent all the plunder back to their king in Damascus. 24 Although the Arameans attacked with only a small army, the Lord helped them conquer the much larger army of Judah. The people of Judah had abandoned the Lord, the God of their ancestors, so judgment was carried out against Joash.

The judgement of God can be a terrible thing. Here we have King Joash of Judah. A small army of Arameans attacked Judah. The kingdom of Judah had a much larger army and was on the defensive. Military experts state that the offensive army needs a three-to-one advantage or some such thing.

Yet, here we have it. A small offensive army defeats a large defensive army. How? God intervened. God allowed the small offensive army to succeed, defeat the large defensive army, and carry off the plunder.

God helped the Aramean army defeat the army of God’s people. This is all backwards or something, right? Nope. This was the judgment of God carried out against King Joash.

The judgment of God can be a terrible thing. Please God, help me in my unbelief.