Don't be messing with the Lord

In the book of 2 Chronicles, chapter 28, a few lessons can be gleaned from it.

In the first part, we have the new king of Judah, Ahaz, who did not follow in his ancestor's footsteps by doing what was right in the Lord.  He worshiped many of the pagan idols that had been wiped out before.  Because of this, the Lord allowed his armies to be defeated, killing hundreds of thousands of his best warriors, and a great amount of plunder was taken back to Israel.

But as these armies of Israel returned home, the prophet Oded confronted them, telling them that they had gone too far, not given enough mercy, and ordered them to return the prisoners and plunder.  This was the will of God.  He was angry with them.  So they did as the Lord commanded.  They even gave them clothing, sandals, food, drink, and even donkeys for those too weak to walk.  They gave grace.

Back in Judah, king Ahaz asked the king of Assyria for help.  But instead of helping, Assyria plundered the Lord's Temple, the royal palace, and the homes of his officials.  Even in times of trouble, Ahaz was not humble toward God.  He continued to reject the Lord, and because of it he was not buried with his ancestors upon his death.

As those in Israel saw the err of their ways, king Ahaz did not.  Be humble before the Lord.  Do not reject him.  God will grant you the grace the Israelites did if you see where you have strayed.