Loyal hearts are characterized by saying, “Yes, Lord,” in every circumstance, whatever the consequences.
So the bad brothers (Zabad the son of Shimeath the Ammonitess, and Jehozabad the son of Shimrith the Moabitess) murdered Joash in his bed. It’s probably not a great idea to have unconverted Ammonites and Moabites in your inner circle! “Then Amaziah his son reigned in his place” (2 Chron 24:27). His reign from age 29 and for twenty-five years garnered mixed reviews. “He did what was right in the sight of the Lord, but not with a loyal heart” (25:2). I don’t know about you, but I find that cuts close to home. How easy it is to be half-hearted in our service, a perfunctory functionary. However, he was quite serious about his father’s unfinished business, and executed the murderers, although sparing their children, a novel idea in those days but based on God’s Word (Deut 24:16). Now war loomed with Edom on Judah’s southeast border, so Amaziah organized his army. Feeling it somewhat deficient, he looked for mercenaries and “hired one hundred thousand mighty men of valor from Israel for one hundred talents of silver” (2 Chron 25:6). But an unnamed “man of God came to him, saying, ‘O king, do not let the army of Israel go with you, for the Lord is not with Israel’” (v 7). Of course, the king could decide. “But,” said the brave fellow, “if you go, be gone!” (v 8). Yikes! That doesn’t sound good. Even if you’re wholehearted, “God shall make you fall before the enemy.” He can’t let you succeed in the energy of the flesh, or we’ll never learn to depend on Him. “But,” Amaziah wondered, “what shall we do about the hundred talents which I have given to…Israel?” The man of God answered, “The Lord is able to give you much more than this” (v 9). Whatever the cost, follow God. He’s got you covered—in more ways than one.