SERMON NOTES
Be Content With Your Glory
2 Kings 14
Dr. Tony Chute, Lead Pastor
Overview: The reign of King Amaziah begins with promise for the people of Judah, yet still falls short of the Davidic ideal. He becomes king after he has come of age; his family ties reflect the values of Jerusalem; and he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. However, like other kings before him, Amaziah stops short of total reform in a society that constantly drifts toward idolatry and decadence. After securing his place on the throne, Amaziah exercises both power and restraint as he takes vengeance upon his father’s assassins while sparing the lives of their families in accordance with biblical precedent. He then issues a challenge to Jehoash, the king of Israel, which results in a rebuke from the king, warning him against pride. Amaziah’s failure to listen results in the defeat of Judah, the loss of treasure, and the effective end of Amaziah’s rule. This costly decision serves as a reminder to be content with our own glory in order that we may serve the Lord and others well.
01. Being content with our glory is not a call to laziness or a denouncement of proper ambition. Being content with our glory manifests itself by recognizing our creatureliness before God; by using our God-given gifts to serve others well; and by submitting our urges and ambitions to the authority of God’s Word.
02. Being content with our glory is a call to keep sinful pride in check. Sinful pride manifests itself by conflating past success with current desires; by causing trouble where there is peace; by ignoring personal defects while seeking to correct others; by refusing to listen to wise counsel; and by not considering the impact of one’s decisions upon others.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION & DISCOVERY
1. The summary of Amaziah’s reign, according to 2 Kings 14:3, is mixed. What is the defining quality of a good king? According to verse 4, what could he have done to improve the quality of life and worship in Judah? Several kings also failed in this regard—why do you think it was so difficult for them to remove the high places?
2. In what way did Amaziah exercise both power and restraint as king, according to verses 5-6? How does his refusal to “put to death the children of the murderers” create the possibility of future threats to his reign? Can you think of occasions when obeying God’s Word instead of your instincts of self-preservation put you at risk of possible harm or disadvantage?
3. Consider the “friendly” wording of Amaziah’s message to Jehoash in verse 8. What was Amaziah seeking to accomplish with this message? Is this an occasion of pride manifesting itself by stirring up trouble for no apparent reason? How can we prevent pride from leading us in a similar direction?
4. What impact did Amaziah’s decision to start a battle with Jehoash have on the people of Judah (v. 12)? What effect did it have on the walls of Jerusalem and belongings in the Temple (v. 14)? What value do you place on leaders who look out not for themselves but for the concerns of others?
5. Notice the final fifteen years of Amaziah’s life (vv. 17-20). Is there any significance to the use of the word “lived” instead of “reigned” in verse 17? Pray that the Lord will enable us to keep our pride in check in order that we may finish our lives well by serving God and others with humility.
For Further Reading: Christopher Wright, ed. Portraits of a Radical Disciple: Recollections of John Stott’s Life and Ministry (IVP, 2012)