Bad Mix

2 Chronicles 25:9

Amaziah asked the man of God, "But what about the hundred talents I paid for these Israelite troops?" The man of God replied, "The LORD can give you much more than that."

Baking is one skill which requires precision. From pans to measuring cups, it has to be as the recipe instructed. One ingredient more, or less, will definitely have an effect on the pastry.  Unless you’re a pro, or you’re family’s so forgiving, improvisation is not an option. And for everyone’s sake, check the quality of e-v-e-r-y additive before the mix. A rotten egg cracked into your batter, no matter how fine and fresh the others eggs are, should definitely be trashed. It may cost you time and dimes to restart, but compared to the health risks, would anyone choose otherwise?

When King Amaziah had a headcount of his fighting men who’d go against the Edomites, he found it necessary to recruit a hundred thousand more from their northern brothers. By recruit, that meant hiring them for ten thousand dollars each in today’s currency. After the mix, a man of God told him that the one-fourth additive were idolatrous, rotten eggs and should not march with them to battle or they’d all be overthrown by the enemy. ‘But I paid a billion for these eggs?’ was this baker’s concern. If I’m one from Judah, I’d blurt out, ‘So we’d rather lose our lives to make you feel good about your investment?’ But instead of rebuke, God patiently and gently assured him with these words, ‘I can give you much more than that!’

Logically, obeying God is everyone’s wisest choice. ‘Leave everything behind and follow Me.’  In Him, we are assured of help in troubled times, of joy amidst life’s pain, of hope when everything else fails. But because our eyes are on what we’re leaving behind, we’re missing out on the riches of Christ. When our hearts are foolishly fixed on the emotions we have invested with that ungodly man, or the tenure we’re eyeing regardless of the corrupt system we’re in - - we’ll soon be rotting as well.  In time, God will have to trash out the bad eggs, and unless you call on Jesus’ name to cleanse you, you’re going down with the mix.   So stop calculating your cash in and trust God’s gracious offer of life anew. For surely, He can give you much more than what the world can give.   

Maid in Heaven

2 Chronicles 25:2

He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, but not wholeheartedly.

The other week, I had the hilarious time listening to two housewives exchange their maid horror stories. The lady on my left spilled it first that she finally kept her stay-out househelp from coming. She complained that the haphazard work only made her redo the cleaning herself. The other lady commented that the good maids out there are literally out of the country already. What’s left are the younger ones with little know how and those smart ones with an attitude. The hilarious laughs kicked off here as they alternately recalled their experiences to both extremes. Once, they even asked for my preference: someone whom I’d need to wake up to prepare my already late breakfast or that one who’ll serve my appetites in time but with a cold face. I’m glad I don’t have to choose any.

At first glance, no one would categorize King Amaziah as haphazard. In fact, he did what was right in God’s eyes. In this chapter, he acted in accordance with the Law of Moses by not punishing the children of those who murdered his father, whom he justly executed. He also commendably obeyed God’s instruction of dismissing hired Israel troops from fighting alongside Judah, although it already cost him a billion dollars. But just like a househelp who does work for work’s sake, when he saw the neighboring gods appealing offer, he readily ran away and shifted loyalty. He disregarded the grace his Master showered him for many years. There was obviously no love for God’s household in the first place.

Wholehearted, according to the Free Dictionary, is marked by unconditional commitment, unstinting devotion, or unreserved enthusiasm. It is the picture of an ideal maid who sees you as family, not mainly financiers; who has work initiatives, not just as instructed; and who sincerely gives you a smile, like everyday. Now let’s translate that to our service unto the Lord. Are the things we’re doing right, and good, and godly remain unwavering regardless of worldly offers outside and despite difficulties inside?  Are we obeying His commands because we ought to or because we love to? We’ve heard the quote ‘Find something you love to do, and you'll never work a day in your life’.  Doing the right things can be tiresome if we don’t have the right reasons. So let our reason be His love. No master would ever give his life for us like He did.

The Challenger

2 Kings 14:8

Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu, king of Israel, with the challenge: "Come, meet me face to face."

After the final bell of the twelfth round last weekend, the world saw how Juan Manuel Marquez raised both his arms for a self-proclaimed win. Was it plain confidence or shall we call it pride? For the longest time, we’ve heard his camp claiming he was robbed by Pacquiao of two victories. He even wore a yellow shirt with the words ‘Marquez Beat Pacquiao Twice!!’ following his knockout win over Katisidis last year. He even dared wearing it in his promotional visit to the country, to which Pacquiao sadly noted ‘disrespectful’. But the latter kept his calm. It was commendable how last Sunday, we saw him again kneeling on his corner before the announcement.  With those boos and beer cups thrown after the decision, all the more we saw grace under pressure. Truly, a head held high is far better that both arms raised in pride.

Chapter fourteen tells of a story of another challenger, Amaziah. He became well-known for defeating ten thousand Edomites and for throwing his ten thousand captives from the top of the cliff.  With that fresh victory, he sent a messenger to the northern kingdom, calling a face-to-face fight with King Jehoash. It wasn’t without context actually, for Israel troops raided Judean towns, killing three thousand people and carried off great quantities of plunder.  There’s a side story to that too, which Amaziah himself was responsible. That too was a result of his foolish decision.  And here again, he’s taking pride in his own calculations. He deceived himself by believing it was his strength that could win a battle. He forgot Who really gives the final say. And because God found him wanting, in the end, those hands he raised in conceit were bruisely tied and with his own eyes saw his opponent stripping the glory of his land.

Proverbs 11:2 says ‘When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom’. When we look at the dictionary, pride is more than the outward, conceited bearing of a person. It is actually as natural as saying ‘I deserve this’. It is enjoying the comforts of life without an inch gratitude to God. It is rejoicing over that promotion because to you it meant a job well done. It is looking at your beautiful child and glad she had your genes. Yours? Was it your genes that gave her life? Was it all hardwork that brought you success? You really won’t call it grace that although you’re a sinner, God still blessed you with much? You may hear the crowd loudly cheering for you, but in the end, will their voice even count? May we not forget it is to God we will soon give an account. He knew how many punches really landed and He will make the final decision. Don’t be caught surprised.