2 Chronicles 25 · a question people ask
If it "was of God", did Amaziah really choose not to listen?
The chapter says both. "But Amaziah would not listen; for it was of God, that he might deliver them into the hand of their enemies, because they had sought after the gods of Edom" (25:20). The verse gives its own reason, the gods of Edom (25:14-15), and the prophet had already said, "I know that God has determined to destroy you, because you have done this and have not listened to my counsel" (25:16). 2 Chronicles has said the same kind of thing before. Of Rehoboam: "So the king didn’t listen to the people; for it was brought about by God, that the LORD might establish his word" (10:15). Of Ahaziah: "Now the destruction of Ahaziah was of God" (22:7). The honest question on 2 Chronicles 10 sets out the two main ways Christians hold a king's real choice and God's hand together, each resting on its verses, and chooses neither. These notes point back to it rather than repeat it.
The verses
“But Amaziah would not listen; for it was of God, that he might deliver them into the hand of their enemies, because they had sought after the gods of Edom.”
“So the king didn’t listen to the people; for it was brought about by God, that the LORD might establish his word, which he spoke by Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.”
“Now the destruction of Ahaziah was of God, in that he went to Joram; for when he had come, he went out with Jehoram against Jehu the son of Nimshi, whom the LORD had anointed to cut off Ahab’s house.”