The Lord Said: "Why?"

II Chronicles 25:14 After Amaziah came from striking down the Edomites, he brought the gods of the men of Seir and set them up as his gods and worshiped them, making offerings to them. 15 Therefore the Lord was angry with Amaziah and sent to him a prophet, who said to him, “Why have you sought the gods of a people who did not deliver their own people from your hand?” 16 But as he was speaking, the king said to him, “Have we made you a royal counselor? Stop! Why should you be struck down?” So the prophet stopped, but said, “I know that God has determined to destroy you, because you have done this and have not listened to my counsel.”

As we saw yesterday, during the times of the kings, God was sending prophets with His messages to His people, especially their leaders. On this occasion, God's question was simple: "Why would you do something so stupid and rebellious.  Like Amaziah, we don't like such direct confrontation of our actions and motives, but God is in a position to see them both.  Before the prophet can finish, Amaziah rudely interrupts him, questioning the prophet's authority. We often do the same, blaming God's spokesman as trying to play the Holy Spirit.  Let us not be so hasty in doing so.  God still uses his people to help us see things we are often too blind to see ourselves.