2 Chronicles 25:9 And Amaziah said to the man of God, But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the army of Israel?… I. THE COMMAND GIVEN. "Let not the army of Israel go with thee." 1. It shows us God's disapproval of union with the enemies of the truth. The children of Ephraim had departed from the Lord, His favour was withdrawn from them: Judah, if he hope for success, must send such helpers away. Yes, truly "the friendship of the world is enmity with God." To join affinity with such, as Amaziah did, is to run into temptation and a snare. 2. But the command of God thus given leads us to notice, further, that His disappointment of our hopes is in mercy, not in wrath. Perhaps to the mind of Amaziah this only was wanting to ensure victory: his army was strong, and could he but procure this aid from Israel all would be secure; and yet no sooner are they come than the command is given. It is often thus in God's dealings with our souls. "Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts." "Could I but be placed in such circumstances," saith one, "Were but this diffficulty removed." is the thought of another, "then should I grow in grace, and prosper in my soul." But it cannot be, and you are discouraged. And yet it is in mercy, not in wrath, that your wishes are crossed. 3. Observe that the command calls for immediate compliance. Not after aid received in the battle, but now in the face of danger, at the risk of injury from those sent away, injury, too, that was not feared without cause (ver. 13). God's command will not bear delay. II. THE DIFFICULTY STARTED. "And Amaziah said to the man of God, But what shall we do for the hundred talents that I have given to the army of Israel?" With some awe upon his mind, a conviction of the necessity of obedience, Amaziah liked not the cost. This is the difficulty proposed, "What shall we do for he hundred talents?" There was the divided mind On the one side was his fear of the displeasure of the Lord, without whose help he well knew he could not prosper; on the other side the hundred talents weighed down his purpose — he could not brook the loss of so large a sum. Ah! who would not obey God if he might do it without cost? Who would not be the servant of Christ, if he might be so without pains? Sin must be parted with. "What shall we do for the hundred talents?" We go to the man that has long yielded to his evil habits. We tell him of the door of mercy yet open. The sigh breaks forth as we speak. He owns it "too true." He is "almost persuaded to be a Christian." But, no, "What shall we do for the hundred talents?" III. THE UNANSWERABLE REPLY. "And the man of God answered, The Lord is able to give thee much more than this." 1. Observe — There is no promise of the restoration of the sum. The command of God was the solid ground on which the prophet claimed obedience of the king. And it is even here we too rest our appeal. "Thus saith the Lord." In urging on you to "yield yourselves unto God," we cannot — we may not — tell you that no difficulties are in the way. We have indeed that overwhelming motive to present, the safety of the soul. 2. Amaziah is referred to the almighty power of Him whose command he is called on to obey. "God is able to give thee much more than this." As though the prophet had said, "Thou art ready to sorrow for the hundred talents uselessly bestowed if now to be forfeited, but whose is the silver and the gold? Grudge not, then, this sum at His word, who bids thee yield it for thine own welfare." For is it dignity, the estimation of others, that you fear to give up? are these "the hundred talents" you are unwilling to part with? What dignity of earth can be compared to that high-sounding and real — not empty — title, "heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ"? — "Ye shall be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." Is it riches, or pleasures, the vanity of life, that seem not vain to you? God is able to give, yea, will give you much more than this. He will give you pardon, that blessed gift — pardon for all thy sins, thy multiplied, aggravated, fearful transgressions — "And in the world to come eternal life." (F. Storr, M.A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And Amaziah said to the man of God, But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the army of Israel? And the man of God answered, The LORD is able to give thee much more than this. |
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