Theological Commentary: Click Here
Discipleship Focus: Ambition
- Ambition: We all need a goal to which we can strive. When our ambition comes from God, we find fulfillment in our obedience into that for which we have been equipped because our Out is in proper focus. But when our ambition comes from ourselves, we find ourselves chasing after our own dreams and trying to find fulfillment in accomplishments of our own making.
In this
chapter we see a great contrast between godly ambition and personal –or ungodly
– ambition. We should want what God
desires for our life. We should cast
away our personal ambitions that are not in line with God.
Amaziah
takes the throne in Judah. Once he has
secured the power, he brings judgment upon those who killed his father. But he spares their children because of his
obedience to the Lord. This appears to
be godly ambition.
Amaziah
also conquers the Edomites. We don’t
know that this was done by God’s request, but we also don’t see anywhere that
Amaziah is condemned for the act, either.
So it is possible that this act falls into the camp of godly ambition as
well. But it is equally possible that it
is personal – or ungodly – ambition.
What I think we have here is actually a turning point where we see
Amaziah upon the fulcrum of choice.
Which way does he fall?
Amaziah goes
too far. Amaziah gets caught up in his
personal ambition rather than being content with what God desires for his
life. Amaziah tries to invade Israel and
pays a heavy price. He is defeated. The Israelites conquer Judah the whole way
back to Jerusalem. They tear down a
portion of the wall around Jerusalem.
The temple of God is raided because of Amaziah’s ambition.
When we
step out in God’s will, we live a godly ambition under a godly protection. But when we step out in our own ambition we
only go with our own power. We usually
have to suffer the consequences of our own personal ambition. Ambition is good, but only when it matches up
with God’s ambition for our life.
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