Summary:
Asa's Last Years
Verses 1-14
In Asa's 36th year as king, Baasha king of Israel warred against him. Baasha fortified Ramah so no one could leave or enter Asa's territory. Asa, then, used the silver and gold from the temple and palace to give to Ben-Hadad king of Aram, the ruler of Damascus. Asa asked for a treaty with Ben-Hadad, as their fathers had had. He asked Ben-Hadad to break his treaty with Baasha. Ben-Hadad then turned against Israel and his forces conquered Ijon, Dan, Abel Maim, and the store cities of Naphtali. When Baasha heard this, he abandoned his work at Ramah. Asa and the men of Judah went to Ramah and took Baasha's stones and timber. They used them to build up Geba and Mizpah.
Hanani the seer gave Asa this message from God: since Asa had relied on Aram and not God, the king of Aram had escaped from Asa's hand. God reminded him of the Cushites and Libyans, a mighty army with numerous chariots and charioteers. When they had attacked Judah, Asa had relied on God and He had delivered them to Asa.
"For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him." (Verse 9a)
Asa had acted foolishly, so he would always be at war. Asa was very angry at this, so he put the seer in prison and brutally oppressed some of his people. His other events are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.
In Asa's 39th years as king, he was afflicted with a disease in his feet. It was severe, but he chose to rely on physicians rather than on God. In his 41st year, he died and rested with his fathers. He was buried in a tomb that he had prepared for himself in the City of David. They laid a bier over it and covered it with spices and blended perfumes. There was a huge fire built in his honor.
Lori's Thoughts:
In all things, ask God for guidance. Asa acted strategically in battle. But, his pride separated him from God. This victory was his, not Theirs. Since he decided to stop leaning on God, God could no longer protect him from war or disease. If at any point Asa had humbled himself and rededicated himself to the Lord, he would have been healed and protected.
Sometimes, when God gives us victories, we feel on top of the world and believe it was by our own power that we got here, since we can't see God. Sometimes we need to fall to be reminded who our Savior and Deliverer is. I constantly pray for humility. I have a tendency towards pride and I isolate myself, thinking I can do it all on my own. 2010 showed me how wrong I was. I am nothing but wretched without Him.
It's interesting, though, how Asa was honored in death. Did the people choose to focus on the good years of his reign? Or was it because they were honoring God who had ordained Asa as the king of Judah? I remember when David had the chance to kill Saul, but didn't because he was God's chosen king, even if he had turned evil. I bet it would have ruined David's life if he had done it.
Sometimes, God tells us no. Sometimes, we fall so we can realize that we've drifted and then we can choose to return to His arms.
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