July 25
2 Chron 14:1-16:14 | PS 19:1-14 | Prov 20:1 | Rom 9:1-24
As we begin going through the kings of Judah, you might be thinking, "Didn't we already read about these guys in 1 and 2 Kings?" The answer is yes, but every book in the Bible is there for a reason. Tradition tells us that the book of Kings was compiled by the prophet, Jeremiah. The people were about to be sent into captivity and he still had access to all the historical books, so he wanted to establish a concise record of the kings of Judah and Israel, both good and bad kings, so that the nation's history would not be forgotten. Tradition teaches that the book of Chronicles was written by Ezra. These were compiled during the Babylonian captivity and as the people were returning back to the land of Judah. While Samuel and Kings tell the history from a political perspective, Chronicles tells it from a spiritual perspective. Just as the book of Deuteronomy was a spiritual commentary on Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers for the next generation as they were to enter the Promised Land, Chronicles was a spiritual commentary on the books of Samuel and Kings to prepare the people embarking on their journey back to the land of Judah. The people going back needed to understand from the lessons of the past rulers of Judah, that those obedient to God succeeded, while those disobedient failed. You will also notice that the kings of Israel were all evil and therefore not mentioned in detail in the book of Chronicles.
We read of Asa in 2 Chronicles 14:2-3, "Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God, for he removed the altars of the foreign gods and the high places, and broke down the sacred pillars and cut down the wooden images." This was a great start as he rid the land of pagan worship and thrust the eyes of the people onto the one true God. As he faces enemy troops double his own, we see his faith in his battle plan in 14:11, "And Asa cried out to the Lord his God, and said, “Lord, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O Lord our God, for we rest on You, and in Your name we go against this multitude. O Lord, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You!”" But later in life he changed course which led to some failings, as we read in 16:7-9, "And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said to him: “Because you have relied on the king of Syria, and have not relied on the Lord your God, therefore the army of the king of Syria has escaped from your hand. Were the Ethiopians and the Lubim not a huge army with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet, because you relied on the Lord, He delivered them into your hand. For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars.”" We read sadly, prior to his death in 16:12, "And in the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa became diseased in his feet, and his malady was severe; yet in his disease he did not seek the Lord, but the physicians."
This is why we should never ask why we have to read this book or that book. God knows what we need and He placed everything that we need in the Bible for our purpose because He loves us. We are all at different phases of our journey. We might have just come into a relationship with Jesus Christ for the first time, like the Israelites entering the Promised Land. Or you may have been a believer for awhile, and may be walking strong or perhaps backsliding a bit. The truth is, we can learn from these men who went before us. Asa did wonderful things but ended poorly. Like Asa, God is still "For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him". We don't finish on this earth until we breathe our last. If you have trusted and move steadfastly for the Lord, that is great, but how about today and tomorrow. We should remain in Him, empty of ourselves and full of the Spirit, so that we can be used daily, faithful foot soldiers in God's army. Like then, God's eyes are still searching to and fro looking for loyal hearts.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: