A Whole Heart

O. T. #975  "A Whole Heart"
May 5, 2017
2 Chronicles 25


LET IT GLOW

Does living with a whole heart loving someone refer to not being divided in thoughts, words, and actions? Does it mean we love our spouse only, and not partly loving them while thinking of another?Today's king had that problem.

In review, after David and Solomon reigned as godly kings in Israel, the people split into two nations-Judah and Israel. Now Israel continued to have (19) evil kings for the next approximately 210 years, worshiping idols, until Syria captured them.

Judah, on the other hand, was ruled by 8 good kings out of 20 who continued to worship God, while the others worshiped idols, in abut 345 years until Babylon captured them, destroying the Temple in Jerusalem.

To bring us up to date, after Solomon came 2 bad kings (Rahoboam and Abijah) reigning for 20 years; next cam 2 good kings (Asa and Jehoshaphat) reigning for 66 years; then came 3 bad kings (Jehoram, Ahaziah, and Athaliah) for 15 years; now they had what was considered 4 good kings (Joash, Amaziah, Azariah, and Jotham) reigning for the next 137 years. Whew! I know that is a lot of history, but it helps us keep the perspective of where we are in Judah's history, which Ezra is writing about to refresh those returning from Babylon's captivity.

Joash had been killed by his own two men. Then Amaziah took over as king of Judah.
What do we know about Amaziah?
He was 25 years old when he became king, and ruled 29 years.
What kind of king was he at the beginning?
Verse 2 gives us the answer: And he did that which was right in he sight of the LORD, but not with a perfect heart.

The word used here, perfect, in the Hebrew language is the word shalem (shaw-lame') means complete, whole.

This same word and its meaning was previously used in two verses-16:9 and 19:9.
In the first verse, King Asa had allied himself with the king of Syria, giving him gold and silver from the Temple, thus he was warned by Hanani: For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him.

In the last verse, King Jehoshaphat challenged the new judges: Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you, take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.  In other words, show no injustice, partiality, or take bribery.

These men's hearts were perfectly the Lord's, loving and serving Him wholeheartedly, except for Amaziah's.
What about us, dear ones? When God searches the earth, does He find our heart completely His, or are we serving self or things? Is our heart divided with other loves?
I find it always good to be challenged and self-evaluated.


LET IT GROW

Amaziah waited until he was well established during his reign, then he had those two assassins of his father killed. However, he did not kill their children obeying Moses' law-Parents must not be put to death for the sins of their children, and vice versa. (Deut. 24:16) He did not follow the usual practice of killing all of the family of the guilty.

Do you think Amaziah did what was right  on the outside, but not on the inside? Was he resentful of what he had to do? His half-hearted obedience shows us answers.

We will never be judged because of the sins of our parents, but we will give an account for our own sins, if not under the blood. In the same manner, we will not get to heaven on the same faith that our parents or grandma had. We must exercise our own faith in Christ Jesus. Have you exercise that kind of faith?

LET IT GO

Love and serve God with my whole heart.

Help my heart to be perfect toward You, Lord Jesus.

Pray without ceasing, sing His praises continually today.