The next ruler of Judah was Amaziah according to 2 Chronicles 25. We’re told he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, but not with his whole heart. We have come to understand that’s short for: He didn’t tear down the high places. His personal walk with the LORD was sound, but he didn’t extend that to the total corporate realm of his leadership. After Amaziah solidified his leadership, he killed those who had murdered his father, but we’re told he didn’t kill their families according to the law of the LORD. He didn’t take vengeance on anyone, but the generation who committed the crime. Unfortunately, the rest of the rule of Amaziah can be divided into “the good, the bad, and the ugly.” The good was Amaziah mustered his army and defeated Seir. He had hired 100,000 men of Israel to join his troops for the battle, but a prophet of the LORD told him not to use them, because Israel was evil in the sight of the LORD. When Amaziah protested he had already paid the soldiers, the prophet responded the LORD is able to pay you back many times over. Amaziah released the Israelites and sent them home. He was rewarded for his faithfulness with victory over Seir. The bad comes in when Amaziah brought back idols from Seir and set them up to worship them. A prophet came and asked him why he would worship the gods of a nation that couldn’t even protect its own country–a fair question. Nevertheless, Amaziah continued to worship them. The ugly came as punishment for this, when Amaziah went to battle against Israel. The LORD gave Israel victory over Amaziah as punishment for his sin. This is another example of the LORD using one nation against another as a means of bringing judgment. Throughout the history of the Old Testament we see this principle: History itself demonstrates the judgment of God. God is sovereign over history, and He does not let evil go unpunished forever.
2 Chronicles 26 tells us Uzziah came to power after his father, Amaziah, died. The record of his life has become all too familiar to us: At first Uzziah did what was right in the sight of the LORD. As he did that, the LORD blessed and prospered him. Uzziah worshiped the LORD rightly, experienced victories in battle, and rebuilt many parts of Judah. Then the other shoe fell. In his position as victor, builder, and even worshiper of the LORD, Uzziah became prideful. He went into the Temple to offer incense to the LORD. This was an action reserved only for priests. When the priests told him to stop, he would not and as he reached out his hand to offer the sacrifice, it became leprous. He lived with that leprosy the rest of his life, which meant he could no longer live in the king’s palace. His son, Jotham took over some of the leadership from him at that time and became the new king when Uzziah died.
2 Chronicles 27 tells us briefly of Jotham’s reign. Jotham was a good king, who did what was right in the eyes of the LORD. He experienced victory in battle, and rebuilt parts of the Temple and other buildings that had gone into disrepair. One disturbing comment comes to us regarding Jotham’s reign: “…the people still did what was evil in the sight of the LORD.” Jotham’s reign was faithful, but for some reason his faithfulness did not extend to the daily practices of his people. It extended to his army and to his regime, but the everyday man or woman of Judah didn’t follow the ways of the LORD. This reminds us each of us is responsible for our own walk with the LORD, and also that one’s leadership isn’t only a matter of corporate expertise. Setting a personal example for those we lead is an important aspect of our leadership as those who follow the LORD.
2 Chronicles 28 tells us after Jotham, Ahaz, his son, became king and did not do what was right in the eyes of the LORD. That was an understatement. He set up Baals and idol worshiping places “under every green tree.” It was bad, and as a result the LORD judged his leadership and brought defeat to Judah. In the midst of defeat, Ahaz called on the gods of Syria, who had defeated Israel and his people, which only added insult to the LORD and further judgment against his people. It’s so hard to understand how this radical shift could come after several good kings, but the influence of Israel was strong, and showed up in Judah frequently. As the Apostle Paul would remind us a thousand years later: bad company corrupts good morals.
Matthew 27 is Matthew’s record of Jesus’ judgment before Pilate, His crucifixion and burial. Matthew offers us some information not given in the other gospels. For example, he tells us after Judas realized Jesus was condemned to die, he went to the religious leaders and asked them to reconsider, that he had handed over an innocent man. The religious leaders weren’t concerned. Judas in remorse–but not repentance–went out and hanged himself. The saddest part of this account is even Judas could have been forgiven had he repented, but he did not. Matthew also tells us the religious leaders went to Pilate after Jesus’ death and said that the “imposter” (Jesus) had said He would rise from the dead, so they ought to post guards at the tomb so the disciples wouldn’t be able to steal the body and claim Jesus had risen. Pilate agreed to their request. This would make the resurrection of Jesus that much harder to discount–when it happened on Sunday!