Man-Centered, God-Centered (2 Chronicles 16:1-14)

Man-Centered, God-Centered (2 Chronicles 16:1-14)

 

2 Chronicles 16:1-14

The Clash Between Israel and Judah (1 Kings 15:23-24)

1 In the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah, and built Ramah, to the intent that he might let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.

2 Then Asa brought out silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of the Lord and of the king's house, and sent to Benhadad king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying,

3 There is a league between me and thee, as there was between my father and thy father: behold, I have sent thee silver and gold; go, break thy league with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me.

4 And Benhadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel; and they smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abelmaim, and all the store cities of Naphtali.

5 And it came to pass, when Baasha heard it, that he left off building of Ramah, and let his work cease.

6 Then Asa the king took all Judah; and they carried away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha was building; and he built therewith Geba and Mizpah.

Hanani the Seer

7 And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the Lord thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand.

8 Were not the Cushites and the Libyans a huge host, with very many chariots and horsemen? yet, because thou didst rely on the Lord, he delivered them into thine hand.

9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.

10 Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in a prison house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa oppressed some of the people the same time.

Asa’s Death (1 Kings 15:23-24)

11 And, behold, the acts of Asa, first and last, lo, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.

12 And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the Lord, but to the physicians.

13 And Asa slept with his fathers, and died in the one and fortieth year of his reign.

14 And they buried him in his own sepulchres, which he had made for himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odours and divers kinds of spices prepared by the apothecaries' art: and they made a very great burning for him.

 

Asa was one of the many kings who ruled over Judah after Israel’s divide into the north and south (Judah in the south). He was the 4th and youngest king to ascend to the throne. Despite his age, Judah was peaceful under the first 10 years of his reign. They were divided, surrounded by powerful nations, and the king was relatively inexperienced; yet Judah stood in tranquility for a decade.

 

King Asa was able to secure peace because he reigned with justice and God. He eradicated all idols and ensured the people served God. God was pleased at this and ensured prosperity and safety for Judah. (2 Chronicles 14:3-5)

 

Peace was briefly interrupted when the Cushites invaded with hundreds of chariots and thousands of soldiers (2 Chronicles 14:11). But King Asa remained steadfast in the Lord and with His power Judah was victorious.

 

Joyous and thankful, Asa further condemned the presence of idols and on the 15th year of his rule, he sacrificed 700 cows and 7000 sheep. For 35 years Asa lived a God-centered life, and as a result Judah grew in prosperity.

 

But all he had built began to crumble in his 36th year when the king of Israel (north), King Baasha, brought his army down to the south and invaded Judah. Panicked, Asa turned to Benhadad of Aram (Syria) for help, giving him the silver and gold of the treasuries of the Lord’s temple (2 Chronicles 16:3). Asa’s plan succeeded and they defeat Baasha.

 

But despite this victory, the seer Hanani appears before King Asa and reprimands him. He rebukes him for reaching for the aid of man rather than trusting the Lord. Hanani reminds Asa of the victory God brought them against the Cushites. However, rather than repent for his mistakes, Asa angrily imprisons Hanani and brutally oppresses some of his people.

 

Asa’s life was once God-centered, but somewhere down the line he became man-centered. A once godly man had become another member of the corrupt world.

 

During his 39th year since ascending to the throne, Asa becomes afflicted with a foot disease. But again, rather than seek God, he immediately turns to physicians and only physicians (2 Chronicles 16:12).

 

The disease takes him 2 years later during Asa’s 41st year of reign. As he turned away from a God-centered life and started practicing a man-centered life, Asa’s life deteriorated, as did the peace that once enveloped Judah. He lost sight of God and in the end died a most pitiful death.

 

Let us take a moment to reflect on our own lives. How are we living? Are we dedicating every moment to God, seeking His word, living a God-centered life? Or do we depend more on the world, the people around us, our own thoughts, and our own plans?

 

Today’s scripture clearly tells us this: If we want to live a life of peace and prosperity, we must seek and depend only on God. only a God-centered life focused on obeying His word can protect us. Asa’s story clearly shows us how misfortune will inevitably fall upon those who depend on themselves, people, and the secular world.

 

Consider the story of Abraham and Lot. Abraham and Lot’s people were fighting because the land they were on did not have enough water for all of their livestock. They decided to live separately, and Abraham gave Lot the first pick.

 

Lot easily chose the land east of the Jordan because of its lush green pastures and clear stream waters. As such, Abraham was left with what was basically wilderness. Lot chose the richer land for himself and left Abraham, his uncle who had raised him like a father, with a barren wasteland.

 

Yet Abraham allows this to happen. Logically, Lot should have lived the better life, but we know things ended differently. Lot had chosen the depraved cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and had to escape when God destroyed these cities. He lost his wife because she looked back and in a drunken state he slept with his own daughters.

 

His descendants formed the tribal nations of Moab and Ammon, but they end up invaded and used by Babylon. Eventually they are ruined and wiped out. Lot had chosen material wealth and pleasure instead of prioritizing God, and as a result lived a shameful life and left a disgraceful legacy. Abraham always chose God first. It is not difficult to determine who fared better.

 

Verse 9 of today’s scripture says, “9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.” God blesses and helps those who stand firm in Him and His word.

 

Revive your faith. Serve God and the church with passion. Glorify God with all your strength. Sacrifice, obey, and fulfill His mission with delight and desire. Sing joyful praises and lift up earnest prayers. Revive the faith that places God at the center of our lives. only a God-centered life can revive prosperity and glory in us.

 

061718 Ik sun Ahn