Did you notice verse 6? At some point, Amaziah invested in a mercenary force from the Northern Kingdom. He invested 100 talents (7,500 pounds) of silver and in return hired on 100,000 Ephraimite soldiers. Perhaps the mercenaries would be better equipped than the Southern Army. It could be that Amaziah was hedging his bets. He was not a bit interested in the experience of Joram barely escaping in the night with a humiliated and essentially disbanded army.
Along came a prophet
7 But a man of God came to him and said, “Your Majesty, these troops from Israel must not march with you, for the Lord is not with Israel—not with any of the people of Ephraim. 8 Even if you go and fight courageously in battle, God will overthrow you before the enemy, for God has the power to help or to overthrow.” (2 Chronicles 25:7-8–ESV)
It turned out that a curse of sorts already rested on the mercenaries. They were probably supposed to form the backbone of the army or at least ensure that one-quarter of the army was in fighting form. While this was already a given who should come along but a prophet and tell Amaziah that the mercenary army has a problem. Not only would their presence be unpleasing to God but also they would be so toxic as to result in God overthrowing the both of them. Edom would remain their own nation. Imagine the rejoicing that would be theirs if they defeated Judah, twice in as many generations.
Obedience first, blessing later
9 Amaziah asked the man of God, “But what about the hundred talents I paid for these Israelite troops?” The man of God replied, “The Lord can give you much more than that.” (2 Chronicles 25:9–ESV)
Amaziah had already toted 7,500 pounds of silver to Israel’s coffers. Look, though, at how the prophet responded. He almost dismissed the investment as of no consequence. “God has got silver and get can you more if that is an issue,” he seemed to say to the listening king. No assurances of repayment were given. No solution raised its head, but the warning was there.
To Amaziah’s credit, he heeded the warning. He sent the mercenaries home. They were not allowed to participate. They would generate their own problems later, but that’s for another lesson.
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