2 Chronicles 28:1-15
In contrast with Jotham, of whom only good is recorded, not one favourable word can be said of his wretched son, Ahaz. This was a terrible reign during which everything angered the LORD! What a state the people of Judah have fallen into! To punish them God uses in turn the kings of Syria and Israel. The latter kills one hundred and twenty thousand men in one day and takes two hundred thousand captive. However, the lesson, as Oded the prophet comes to declare it, is for the victor as well as for the vanquished. Is it not also for us? Before turning to judge others, let us ask ourselves whether we, within us, have no sins against our God (v. 10)? Oded spoke in this way to the men of Israel. Four of them, mentioned by name, are deeply moved and intercede in favour of the poor captives. Then, not content with having obtained their freedom, they tend to their needs and take them back to Judah. They put into practice Romans 12:20-21. This is a beautiful example of love and devotion! It reminds us of the way in which the Samaritan acted in the parable (Luke 10:33-34).