The Parable Of The Thistle

The Parable Of The Thistle 

II Kings 14:8-9 NKJV

[8] Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, “Come, let us face one another in battle.” [9] And Jehoash king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, “The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying, ‘Give your daughter to my son as wife’; and a wild beast that was in Lebanon passed by and trampled the thistle. 

If you just read this without an insight from 2Ch 25:13, you will miss a great part of the antecedents. Antecedents describe a causal relationship in events. It is the story that precedes the main story. This is jow David Guzik tells the story. " Amaziah gathered a huge army in Judah to go against Edom – three hundred thousand choice men, able to go to war, who could handle spear and shield. He also hired 100,000 mercenary soldiers from Israel. But a prophet came and warned him not to use the soldiers from Israel, because God was not with that rebellious and idolatrous kingdom. Amaziah was convinced to trust God, send the mercenaries from Israel away, and accept the loss of the money used to hire them. God blessed this step of faith, and gave them a convincing victory over the Edomites". Now you understand that with the pride of victory and the pains of the raid by the hired soldiers from Israel, Amaziah was on a war path against Israel.

    The reply of Jehoash triggered the battle, and Judah lost. They suffered terribly, and Amaziah was captured. The image of the thistle and the cedar proved true. But there was more. Amaziah had collected some gods from his last victory and had begun to worship it. It must have triggered God's anger and he was left to be defeated. Don't let your accomplishments cover you from the help you've received from God. Don't ignite the parable of the thistle for yourself. Good morning.