2 Chronicles 14:1-15
Q.1. How did King Asa of Judah start out his reign? To whom did he attribute the blessing on his territory? – (2 Chr.14:1-8)
King Asa’s father, Abijah, had not sustained his opposition to false gods. He allowed the nation to drift from the Lord. However, Asa – 3 removed the foreign altars and high places, tore down the sacred pillars, cut down the Asherim, 4 and commanded Judah to seek the Lord God of their fathers and to observe the law and the commandment (2 Chr.14:3-4). Under his reign the kingdom was undisturbed. He encouraged the people to strengthen their cities. He clearly gave God the credit for their prosperity – for he said to Judah … the land is still ours because we have sought the Lord our God; we have sought Him, and He has given us rest on every side.” So they built and prospered (2 Chr.14:7).
Q.2. How did Asa’s armies compare with those of his opponents? Why was his prayer a good model for us in our battles? How did the battle end? (2Chr.14:8-15)
Asa would have been aware of the resounding triumph of his father against overwhelming odds because he called upon the Lord. In Asa’s day, he was under threat from an immense army. The spirit of his humble prayer to God is worth remembering – …”Lord, there is no one besides You to help in the battle between the powerful and those who have no strength; so help us, O Lord our God, for we trust in You, and in Your name have come against this multitude. O Lord, You are our God; let not man prevail against You.” (2 Chr.14:11). Perhaps there is greater danger when we think we can win our battles. Asa captured for us the attitude that we should develop in our warfare against the enemy. Not surprisingly, it was reported that – 12 the Lord routed the Ethiopians before Asa and before Judah, and the Ethiopians fled. 13 … so many Ethiopians fell that they could not recover, for they were shattered before the Lord and before His army. And they carried away very much plunder (2 Chr.14:12-13). Asa started out very well, for as long as he remained humble before God. What a lesson for us.