Romans 15:4 “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.”

Reflections on King Asa and King Jehoshaphat’s Reign 2 Chronicles 16-20

These chapters in Chronicles truly entail so much. A common denominator was the unholy alliances of the Kings of Judah and God’s disapproval for them. These chapters show how God fights for His children, but when they abandon Him, He removes His protection.

Asa came to power after his father Abijah died as King of Judah, but unfortunately, his father did evil before the Lord (1 King 15:3). Despite his father’s legacy, Asa did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. Under his reign, God gave him peace for 10 years on all sides because they sought the Lord. Yahweh promised there would always be a lamp in Judah because of David and his descendants forever.  Jesus is that lamp and we are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). An Ethiopian named Zerah with and army of 1,000,000.00 soldiers and a vast array of chariots came up against Asa and his army, only to be defeated.  Asa sought the Lord, “O Lord, no one but you can help the powerless against the mighty! Help us, O Lord our God, for we trust in you alone.  It is in Your name that we have come against this vast horde.  O Lord, you are our God; do not let mere men prevail against You!”

We are not our parents, nor do we have to continue generational curses that have gone on within our family line.  Through Christ, we are new creations and old things have passed away. Though Asa had peace for 10 years.  During this time of rest, Asa did not remain idle, but he fortified the city walls. God continued to bless Asa, richly and many in Israel moved down to Judah because they saw God was with Asa.  Obedience brings automatic favor, blessings and increase. 

There’s times of rest and times of war.  Ecclesiastes says there is a time for everything under the sun.  A test came in the form of Zerah and his army. Fear came knocking at his door, and his response was:

1. Deploy his troops for battle.

This is a very significant act.  Despite of what he saw, he did not allow that to disrupt his faith in God. Though scripture does not mention if he was afraid or not, he still moved forward in belief. We still show up, and don’t throw in the towel.  We still show up!

• He sought the Lord.

When adversity rose, Asa sought the Lord, first, despite how things looked. I am reminded of the scripture that says, “there are more with us than them.”  When the enemy comes in like a flood, God raises His standard against the enemy.  Even saying those scriptures, felt ‘scripted’ if I am being honest.  Sometimes, we can know and quote the Word of God, but when situations come, we waiver… Despite how Asa felt, his trust was in the Lord. I am reminded of the saying “do it afraid.”

• Stand on the Word of God.

Asa reminded the Lord it was in His name that they were coming against this vast army. It was nothing of their own might, but all chips were stacked on the Lord side. In Psalm 23 it says, “you lead me by paths of Righteousness for Your names sake.” We serve a God who can never fail, and He is faithful to deliver us. I’m reminded of the parable Jesus shared of building our house on Him and not quicksand.  Jesus is the firm foundation we stand on, as believers so when the waves and winds come, we remain anchored in Him.

Asa conducted major reforms in Jerusalem, and at the height of his reign, God sent Azariah, son of Obed, to caution and encourage him. He cautioned him and all the people of Judah, that God will continue to be with them, if they don’t abandon Him. Asa took heed and conducted more reforms in Judah.  He would go on to have twenty years of rest on all sides, until his 35^th year. For 30 years (not consecutively) Asa had rest from his enemies because his heart was turned towards God. I must examine my own heart and ask is my heart set towards God, or is it divided… The word of God calls it being double minded. In Asa’s 36^th year, King Baasha of Israel came against him, and instead of him trusting in the Lord, he presented a treaty to King Baasha, by taking silver and gold out of the Lord’s house as an offering.  Asa started out strong in the Lord, but as time went on, he drifted. This is a sobering realization to always keep the fire burning for the Lord. Asa abandoned the Lord and trusted in his alliance with the King of Aram, an unholy alliance. As a result, the prophet Hanani came and prophesied he would now always be at war. This is reminiscent of when Jesus fed the 4,000 and when he came back to the disciples, they were arguing thinking Jesus was upset because they had no bread.  Jesus just performed a supernatural miracle, but the disciples were still in disbelief in their understanding.  At first, Asa stood confidently in trusting God, but later down the line when presented with another challenge, he trusted in his own capabilities and not God’s.

Asa’s son, Jehoshaphat followed his father’s footsteps and did what was pleasing in the sight of the Lord. But, just like his father, we continued to see the theme of unholy alliances, as Jehoshaphat formed an alliance with King Ahab, through marriage. In the book of Exodus, when Moses hands were raised, with the help of Aaron and Hur, Israel was winning the war, but the minute his hands were down, the enemy would progress against them. As long as we look to God, fully trusting in Him, He fights our battles, but the minute we take our eyes off him…. just like when Peter took his eyes off Jesus in the water, we begin to sink…

Lord, I pray to continue to look to You as my redeemer, my savior, my defense, and strong tower. To not trust in the strength of horses and chariots, but to look to You where all my help comes. Help me not to walk, sit or stand in the path of the ungodly.