Definition: But Amaziah would not hear; for it [came] of God, that he might deliver them into the hand [of their enemies], because they sought after the gods of Edom.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Chronicles 25:20. It’s a really important and somewhat complex passage about justice and God's plan. Here’s what it means in simple terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a situation where someone – Amaziah – was being excessively boastful and seeking to worship the gods of Edom, a lost tribe. God saw this and reacted by sending something bad to happen to him. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “But Amaziah would not hear…” : This means Amaziah wasn't listening to what God was saying. He was focused on his own desires, perhaps even a little arrogant. “…for it [came] of God…” : This is crucial. It’s not that Amaziah made this happen; it's that God caused it to happen. It's a direct result of God's will. "...that he might deliver them into the hand [of their enemies]..." : This is the core of the message. God wasn’t just punishing Amaziah, but he was setting up something that would result in the destruction of his people . He intended to bring about a defeat for those who worshipped Edom. "...because they sought after the gods of Edom.” : This explains why Amaziah was so focused on worshipping Edom. He was trying to replace the worship of God with the worship of Edom's false gods. This is a key point – it highlights a problem with pride and idolatry. In short, this verse describes God sending a punishment to someone who was being arrogant and seeking to worship something other than Him. It’s about God’s judgment and his desire to protect His people from evil and idolatry. What's the big takeaway? It’s a reminder that God is always watching over us, even when we are boasting or pursuing things that are contrary to His will. It speaks to the importance of humility and seeking only Him. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Give you a different example of how this principle applies to our lives?