READING FOR DECEMBER 1, 2025: 2 CHRONICLES 25, 3 JOHN 1, PSALM 119:113-120 2 CHRONICLES 25 This chapter is Ezra’s retelling of what we read yesterday from 2 Kings 14. There is nothing contradictory in the two passages, but we do learn quite a bit more about God’s intervention and response to Judah’s King Amaziah in Chronicles. The first four verses track closely with the account from 2 Kings. Then we learn Amaziah conducted a census of his fighting men. He found he had 300,000 prepared for battle. Apparently, he did not think that was sufficient for what he had in mind, so he hired 100.000 from Israel. He should have asked God before doing this, because a prophet warned him not to go to battle with these hired men. The reason was that the Lord was not with Israel at this time. Seeking God’s wisdom before entering into a partnership with unbelievers is essential. In most cases, it is dangerous: “Do not be mismatched with unbelievers; for what do righteousness and lawlessness share together, or what does light have in common with darkness? Or what harmony does Christ have with Belial, or what does a believer share with an unbeliever? Or what agreement does the temple of God have with idols? For we are the temple of the living God” (2 Cor. 6:14-16).
King Amaziah asked the prophet what about all the money he already spent on these men? The prophet told him to cut his losses; God can give him all he needs. So, Amaziah sent them home. Although many of us would be happy to be paid for doing nothing, these men were angry. As we learned yesterday, God indeed gave Judah a great victory over Edom, also called the sons of Seir. On the other hand, as they left, the returning troops from Israel killed 3,000 people of Judah. Likely this was one reason Amaziah later challenged Israel to a war.
Something that is almost impossible for us to believe is that Amaziah then set up and bowed down to the idols taken from Edom. Why did he and why might we do something so illogical as to worship the idols of a defeated people? This also baffled the prophet. Rather than give the prophet a good answer, Amaziah just denied the prophet's authority: “Have we appointed you to be a royal counselor?” (vs. 16). Let’s submit to God, not the nearby culture that is perishing.
Flush with his success over Edom and no doubt angry with Israel for killing 3,000 of his citizens, King Amaziah of Judah listened to the wrong counsel and challenged Israel to war. As we read yesterday, King Joash of Israel tried to dissuade Amaziah, but to no avail. Then we read ano- ther statement that’s hard for us to grasp. This warlike desire “was from God, so that He might hand them [Judah] over to Joash [of Israe], because they had sought the gods of Edom” (vs. 20). This chapter also provides the details of King Amaziah final demise. He fled to Lachish, but his killers tracked him down. There’s no situation that includes fleeing from God that has a happy ending!
READING FOR DECEMBER 1, 2025 CONTINUED: 3 JOHN 1, PSALM 119:113-120 3 JOHN 1 This letter has the same sender heading as 2 John, which most believe is likely the Apostle John. The recipient is another outstanding believer, named Gaius. John wishes him good health and euodoustha, which is a Greek compound word literally meaning “helped on the road.” The King James Version translates it “prospers.” This is within the lexical range of the Greek meaning but does not necessarily refer to being rich financially. Some famous preachers have used this verse to support the idea that Christians should seek wealth. This interpretation is quite a stretch and certainly not in tune with the rest of the Bible. One thing we do know is that Gaius’s soul prospered, and this brought great joy to John. Let’s also be joyful when we hear of friends and family who are developing spiritually. It’s answering our prayer that God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
One practical good deed Gaius consistently performed was supporting traveling believers, likely those involved in ministry. John says when we do that “we prove to be fellow workers with the truth.” Our church has the privilege of supporting Brian and Denise Luke, among others. Our work through them brings Bible passages presented orally to folks in their mother tongue. On the other hand, John calls out Diotrephes, a member of this church who rejects John’s instruction. This person builds himself up by tearing John and others down, even driving folks away from church. A much better example is Demetrius, who advocates for the truth. John keeps this letter short because he hopes to see everyone face to face soon.
PSALM 119:113-120 The Psalmist expresses his hatred for those who are double-minded. This sentiment anticipates James 1:7-8: “That man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” Even Revelation 3:15-16 raises this theme: “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.” Isn’t it the case that we are often tempted to be fence-sitters. We really don’t want to be viewed as fanatics. The truth, according to the Psalmist, is that only by going all in with God by completely obeying his commandments are we living in synch with the ultimate visible and invisible reality. Having feet in both camps both deceives us and renders us useless (vs. 118). When such lives are fully evaluated, they will be considered like dross to be thrown out. The Psalmist affirms that he both loves God’s revelation and fears (as in trembles) His judgments. This balance does not match our current culture’s understanding of God. We often see His words as irrelevant if they do not agree with our views. Certainly, we find the idea of trembling in fear before God as too upsetting to even contemplate. As the Psalmist said, we are double-minded. We want a God but one that is made in our image, not the real God of the Bible.
