[DCLM Daily Manna 15 September 2020] Topic: Be Merciful
Text: 2 Kings 14:1-7 (KJV)
1 In the second year of Joash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel reigned Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah.
2 He was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem.
3 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, yet not like David his father: he did according to all things as Joash his father did.
4 Howbeit the high places were not taken away: as yet the people did sacrifice and burnt incense on the high places.
5 And it came to pass, as soon as the kingdom was confirmed in his hand, that he slew his servants which had slain the king his father.
6 But the children of the murderers he slew not: according unto that which is written in the book of the law of Moses, wherein the LORD commanded, saying, The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, nor the children be put to death for the fathers; but every man shall be put to death for his own sin.
7 He slew of Edom in the valley of salt ten thousand, and took Selah by war, and called the name of it Joktheel unto this day.
8 Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash, the son of Jehoahaz son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, Come, let us look one another in the face.
9 And Jehoash the 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 thy daughter to my son to wife: and there passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon, and trode down the thistle.
10 Thou hast indeed smitten Edom, and thine heart hath lifted thee up: glory of this, and tarry at home: for why shouldest thou meddle to thy hurt, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee?
11 But Amaziah would not hear. Therefore Jehoash king of Israel went up; and he and Amaziah king of Judah looked one another in the face at Bethshemesh, which belongeth to Judah.
Key Verse: “But the children of the murderers he slew not: according unto that which is written in the book of the law of Moses, wherein the LORD commanded, saying, The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, nor the children be put to death for the fathers; but every man shall be put to death for his own sin.” – (2 Kings 14:6)
MESSAGE:
Woodrow Kroll said, “Justice is for those who deserve it, mercy is for those who don’t”. That beautiful distinction between justice and mercy aptly highlights the importance of mercy in human affairs. Mercy always makes the difference. It makes the sinful man to become a friend of God.
Amaziah became king after his father was assassinated by two servants, Jozachar and Jehozabad. He ascended the throne at the age of twenty-five and he “did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord” although he did not completely stamp out idolatry. In the early part of his reign, he took time to consolidate his power apparently because of the breach that led to the assassination of his father. When he fully secured his throne, he decided to pursue the case of the assassins. He killed the two servants who killed his father but decided to spare their children even though he had the power to get rid of them as well.
Amaziah decided to spare the children of his father’s killers because he chose to be gracious and merciful in wielding the sword of judgment under his control. He decided to apply the principles of justice espoused in Deuteronomy 24:16, a policy which politically, was fraught with a lot of risks. Prior to this incident, others had acted differently. The families of Korah, Dathan and Abiram were all swallowed up with the ambitious heads of their houses. Joshua and all Israel also stoned Achan with all his house. But at a most unexpected time and from an unlikely source, mercy flowed in the direction of these children and they were spared Just like mercy flowed from the cross to the human race so we can be saved from sin.
God expects us today to show mercy and be fair in handling cases involving others and ourselves. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
Thought For The Day: Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
The Bible In One Year: Psalm 139-150
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
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