2 Chronicles 25 — Wholehearted
The crack: Amaziah “did what was right, but not with a whole heart” (lev shalem). He begins with Torah-shaped justice—punishing murderers but not their children (Deuteronomy 24:16)—yet soon trusts numbers, hiring northern troops. When he frets the sunk cost, the man of God answers: “The LORD can give you much more than this” (2 Chronicles 25:9, New International Version). Obedience outweighs expense.
The snare: After victory he carries off Edom’s gods—an ancient Near Eastern trophy custom—and then bows to them. Success births idolatry. He scorns counsel and provokes Israel. Jehoash’s fable of the thistle and the cedar is sharp satire on pride (cf. Judges 9). Judah falls at Beth Shemesh; Jerusalem’s wall is breached; Amaziah is slain at Lachish (a site famed in excavations), a life unraveling where the heart divided.
The theme: Money, victory, and advice all reveal the heart (2 Chronicles 16:9; Matthew 6:33; 1 John 5:21; Psalm 115). Wholeheartedness guards both purse and praise.
Hymn: “Be Thou My Vision.”
Prayer: Lord Jesus, make my heart whole toward you. Free me from sunk costs and shiny idols. Teach me to prize your word over my pride, your counsel over my plans. Give what you command, and command what you will. Amen.
Narrated version of this devotional on 2 Chronicles Chapter 25