2 Chronicles 15:1-19
Q.1. What was the gist of the message of the prophet Azariah to Asa? How did Asa, Judah, and Israel respond to his challenge? – (2 Chr.15:1-12)
It is likely that the Spirit of God stirred up the prophet Azariah after the miraculous triumph of Judah over the enemy. He challenged the nation – …”Listen to me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: the Lord is with you when you are with Him. And if you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you (2 Chr.15:2). He reinforced his message with some well- known facts of history (2 Chr.15:3-7). Asa was greatly inspired and set about to lead the nation in revival. He removed the abominable idols from his territory and restored the altar of the Lord. They were joined by people from beyond their borders (i.e. the northern kingdom of Israel) from the tribes of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon, who refused to compromise their faith in the God of David, nor abandon the worship centred in Jerusalem (2 Chr.15:9). They gave generous sacrifices to God and – They entered into the covenant to seek the Lord God of their fathers with all their heart and soul (2 Chr.15:12).
Q.2. What reforms did the king institute? How did they affect the people of his kingdom? How did King Asa show his zeal for the God of Israel? – (2 Chr.15:12-19)
Asa’s zeal knew no bounds. He eliminated all who would not seek the Lord. Furthermore, he showed immense backbone in that he removed the queen mother, Maacah, from office because of the horrid images she had introduced to Judah (2 Chr.15:16). Was Maacah his actual mother or one of his ‘mothers’ – His grandfather, Rehoboam took eighteen wives including a Maacah … and his father, Abijah had fourteen wives. Wives were often chosen to strengthen alliances (c.f. 1 Chr.12:20-21 & 1 Chr. 14:21). The restoration of a passion for God made a huge impact – 14 … they made an oath to the Lord with a loud voice, with shouting, with trumpets and with horns. 15 All Judah rejoiced concerning the oath, for they had sworn with their whole heart and had sought Him earnestly, and He let them find Him. So the Lord gave them rest on every side (2 Chr.15:14-15).