Summary:
Asa's Reform
Verses 1-19
The Holy Spirit came to Azariah son of Oded. Azariah went to Asa with this message - that God was with Asa, Judah, and Benjamin, when they were with Him. If they sought Him, they would find Him. If they forsook Him, He would forsake them. For a long time, Israel was without a priest to teach them the law. They turned to God in their distress, sought Him, and were found by Him. It was unsafe to travel in those days because the nations were in turmoil and were crushing each other. God had troubled them with every kind of distress. God told Israel not to give up, because their work would be rewarded.
Asa took courage when he heard this. He removed the detestable idols from Judah, Benjamin, and the towns he'd captured from the hills of Ephraim. He repaired the altar of the Lord in front of the portico of His temple. He assembled Judah, Benjamin, and the people from Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon who had settled with them when they saw that God was with them. They met at Jerusalem in the 3rd month of the 15th year of Asa's reign. They sacrificed 700 head of cattle and 7,000 sheep and goats from the plunder they'd brought back from fighting the Cushites. They made a covenant to seek the Lord with all their hearts and souls. Those that wouldn't would be put to death, regardless of their status or gender. With a loud acclamation, shouting, trumpets, and horns, Judah rejoiced because of their wholeheartedness. They sought God eagerly and found Him. They were given rest on every side.
Asa deposed his grandmother Maacah from her position as queen mother because she'd made a repulsive Asherah pole. He cut it down, broke, and burned it in the Kidron Valley. He didn't remove the high places in Israel, but his heart was fully committed to God all his life. He brought all silver and gold articles that he and his father had dedicated to the Lord's temple. There was no more war until his 35th year of reign.
Lori's Thoughts:
1. The Holy Spirit can speak through you. God does speak to us. Not always as the trumpet-like voice from heaven that the apostle John experienced, but He does speak to us.
2. Even without an intercessory priest, Israel found God. This was before the covenant was in place. Regardless of the law, God made a way to connect with His children.
3. If you seek Him, you will find Him.
4. The wags of sin is death. This is why the godless nations were troubled by God. Remember, this was the law of the land before the Crucifixion. Although the world was in turmoil, God told His people not to give up, for their actions would be rewarded. After you commit your life to serving Christ, once you've accepted salvation, God will bless you for your works in Him. You can't be saved by your own efforts. The devil will try to bring you down, so we must rely on God to see us through. This chapter shows us that God encourages us. We can do it!
5. Asa purged evil from Israel. We must purge evil from ourselves, via the Holy Spirit. The Israelites gave gifts to God and celebrated in His name. Asa wasn't perfect, but He was sincere. He sought God his whole life. God gave him 20 years of peace, and I'm sure God was with him when trouble came. He will do the same for you. "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:20b)
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