2 Chronicles 25:2

And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, but not wholeheartedly.

Study Bible

And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD
This phrase indicates that Amaziah, the king of Judah, followed the commandments and statutes of God to a certain extent. In the context of the Old Testament, doing what is right in the eyes of the LORD often refers to adherence to the Mosaic Law and the worship of Yahweh alone, as opposed to idolatry. This is a common evaluation of the kings of Israel and Judah, as seen in 1 Kings 15:11 regarding Asa and 2 Kings 18:3 regarding Hezekiah. The phrase suggests a level of obedience and alignment with God's expectations, which was crucial for the kings of Judah to maintain God's favor and the stability of their reign.

but not wholeheartedly
This part of the verse reveals a significant shortcoming in Amaziah's devotion. While he performed actions that were outwardly correct, his heart was not fully committed to God. This lack of wholeheartedness is a recurring theme in the Bible, where God desires not just external compliance but internal devotion and sincerity, as seen in Deuteronomy 6:5, which commands love for God with all one's heart. Amaziah's incomplete devotion is further illustrated in 2 Chronicles 25:14, where he turns to idolatry after a military victory. This half-heartedness serves as a warning and a lesson about the importance of complete dedication to God, a theme echoed in the New Testament, such as in Revelation 3:16, where lukewarm faith is rebuked.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Amaziah
The king of Judah who reigned after his father Joash. He is the central figure in this verse, noted for his partial obedience to God.

2. Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel, where Amaziah ruled. It was a place of both spiritual highs and lows throughout its history.

3. The LORD
The covenant God of Israel, whose standards and expectations are central to the account of the kings of Judah and Israel.

Teaching Points

Wholehearted Devotion
God desires complete devotion, not partial obedience. Amaziah's example shows that doing what is right is not enough if it is not done with a full heart.

The Danger of Half-heartedness
Half-heartedness can lead to instability and eventual downfall, as seen in Amaziah's later life. We must guard against divided loyalties in our spiritual walk.

Consistency in Faith
Our actions should consistently reflect our faith. Like Amaziah, we may start well but must strive to finish well by maintaining our commitment to God.

The Importance of Intentions
God sees beyond our actions to our intentions. We should examine our motives to ensure they align with God's will.

Learning from History
The accounts of the kings of Judah and Israel serve as lessons for us. We should learn from their successes and failures to guide our own spiritual journey.

Bible Study Questions

1. What does it mean to do what is right in the eyes of the LORD, and how can we ensure our actions align with His standards?

2. How can we guard against the temptation of half-heartedness in our relationship with God?

3. In what ways can we apply the command to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind in our daily lives?

4. How does the example of Amaziah challenge us to examine our own motives and intentions in serving God?

5. What lessons can we learn from the history of the kings of Judah that can help us in our spiritual journey today?

Connections to Other Scriptures

1 Kings 15:14
This verse discusses another king, Asa, who also did what was right in the eyes of the LORD but did not remove the high places. This highlights a pattern of incomplete obedience among the kings.

Matthew 22:37
Jesus commands to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, and mind, contrasting with Amaziah's lack of wholeheartedness.

James 1:8
Speaks of a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways, which can be related to Amaziah's divided heart.