Joash uses a parable of a lowly thorn bush and a mighty cedar in Lebanon to warn Amaziah of the folly of arrogance, illustrating that human pride, apart from God’s will, leads to certain downfall.
“But Joash the king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, ‘The thorn bush which was in Lebanon sent to the cedar which was in Lebanon, saying, “Give your daughter to my son in marriage.” But there passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon and trampled the thorn bush.’” (v.18) Joash’s message is a vivid parable aimed at Amaziah’s pride. Joash, ruling the northern kingdom of Israel around the mid-8th century BC, employs the picture of a lowly thorn bush daring to presume upon a majestic cedar. This parable warns Amaziah, king of Judah around 796-767 BC, against overestimating his strength in battle. By comparing Judah’s ambitions to a mere thorn bush in vulnerable Lebanon, a region known in the ancient Near East for its towering cedar forests, Joash warns against pride that leads to folly. Lebanon, located north of Israel, had a mountainous terrain and was famed for the cedar trees used in great building projects (1 Kings 5:6). Joash’s telling image implies that any presumed strategy from Amaziah would be easily “trampled” if he tried to attack stronger Israel.
“…Give your daughter to my son in marriage…” (v.18) extends the parable by illustrating an alliance or arrangement that is clearly out of place. Lebanon was a strategic location, bridging major trade routes and known for its wealth of resources. The thorn bush presuming to marry off his offspring to the cedar’s family hints that Amaziah’s aspirations for Judah are inflated beyond reality. By placing himself too close to Israel’s affairs, Amaziah risks humiliating defeat rather than honoring Yahweh’s plan. In the New Testament, Jesus addresses this same issue of self-exaltation. He teaches that pride leads to downfall, while humility before God brings blessing (Luke 14:11).
“…But there passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon and trampled the thorn bush.” (v.18) portrays the swift destruction of an overreaching kingdom or individual. This symbolic language from Joash to Amaziah echoes earlier biblical themes: God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (Proverbs 3:34). The wild beast represents any of the many means by which God could humble a prideful ruler. Historically, Joash’s reign in Israel overlapped with Amaziah’s reign in Judah, a turbulent time of political maneuvering and occasional conflict. Joash’s message makes clear that the northern kingdom is not to be trifled with, and that pride in human might, apart from devotion to, and reliance on, the Lord, would inevitably be crushed.
Set to dark mode
2 Chronicles 25:18 meaning
“But Joash the king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, ‘The thorn bush which was in Lebanon sent to the cedar which was in Lebanon, saying, “Give your daughter to my son in marriage.” But there passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon and trampled the thorn bush.’” (v.18) Joash’s message is a vivid parable aimed at Amaziah’s pride. Joash, ruling the northern kingdom of Israel around the mid-8th century BC, employs the picture of a lowly thorn bush daring to presume upon a majestic cedar. This parable warns Amaziah, king of Judah around 796-767 BC, against overestimating his strength in battle. By comparing Judah’s ambitions to a mere thorn bush in vulnerable Lebanon, a region known in the ancient Near East for its towering cedar forests, Joash warns against pride that leads to folly. Lebanon, located north of Israel, had a mountainous terrain and was famed for the cedar trees used in great building projects (1 Kings 5:6). Joash’s telling image implies that any presumed strategy from Amaziah would be easily “trampled” if he tried to attack stronger Israel.
“…Give your daughter to my son in marriage…” (v.18) extends the parable by illustrating an alliance or arrangement that is clearly out of place. Lebanon was a strategic location, bridging major trade routes and known for its wealth of resources. The thorn bush presuming to marry off his offspring to the cedar’s family hints that Amaziah’s aspirations for Judah are inflated beyond reality. By placing himself too close to Israel’s affairs, Amaziah risks humiliating defeat rather than honoring Yahweh’s plan. In the New Testament, Jesus addresses this same issue of self-exaltation. He teaches that pride leads to downfall, while humility before God brings blessing (Luke 14:11).
“…But there passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon and trampled the thorn bush.” (v.18) portrays the swift destruction of an overreaching kingdom or individual. This symbolic language from Joash to Amaziah echoes earlier biblical themes: God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (Proverbs 3:34). The wild beast represents any of the many means by which God could humble a prideful ruler. Historically, Joash’s reign in Israel overlapped with Amaziah’s reign in Judah, a turbulent time of political maneuvering and occasional conflict. Joash’s message makes clear that the northern kingdom is not to be trifled with, and that pride in human might, apart from devotion to, and reliance on, the Lord, would inevitably be crushed.