Pastor’s Bible Reading Schedule:
2 Chronicles 16-20
Jeroboam, the first ruler of the Northern Kingdom, was succeeded by his son Nadab, who reigned only two years before he was assassinated. His successor was Baasha, a man of greater ambition than ability. Baasha decided to undertake a military campaign against Judah. His first move was to amass an army and to blockade a main traffic artery between the two kingdoms.
At this point the story of King Asa goes sour. King Baasha had an alliance with King Ben-Hadad of Aram. Aram had been under the guidance of David and Solomon, but now he was a strong, independent nation once again. Ben-Hadad was happy to play both Hebrew states against each other. He had maintained a treaty with King Baasha of Israel, and undoubtedly Baasha was counting on his support. Asa, however, persuaded Ben-Hadad to give up his treaty with the Northern Kingdom and agree to a new alliance with the Southern Kingdom. But it cost Asa the contents of the temple treasury, some personal wealth, his integrity, and his standing with God. Quite a price to pay!
From the human standpoint, Asa’s diplomacy was successful. Judah stayed out of war. Ben-Hadad ransacked the towns of northern Israel while Baasha was focusing on the south, and thus was able to line his pockets even further without much effort. Baasha had to cease his blockade and rush home, leaving Asa the opportunity to move his troops in and steal Baasha’s building materials. Everyone, except Baasha, was a winner.
But note what treasures Asa used to pay off Ben-Hadad. He emptied the temple treasury… the very items that he had dedicated to the Lord and placed in the temple as a sign of his piety. Now he was using God’s treasure to bribe a pagan ruler to break a treaty.
Although his diplomatic success probably made Asa a popular ruler among his people, God was not happy with what he did. Therefore, the Lord sent a prophet named Hanani to confront the king about his shortcomings. Asa had made a serious mistake by relying on his alliance with Ben-Hadad. Hanani reminded the king of how previously, when he had trusted God alone, God had routed Zerah’s army, and that God was always ready to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. However, Asa had given up on this Divine support. In fact, Hanani told him, if Asa had continued to rely on God, he would have defeated not only Baasha and the Northern Kingdom but Ben-Hadad and the Arameans as well. He could have brought about a virtual restoration of David’s empire. But instead, Asa would have to deal with war for the rest of his reign. A disappointing character portrait now emerged as the once-so-devoted king turned into a tyrant toward some of his own loyal people. Once Asa adopted an attitude of rebelling against God, he never got back on the right track again.
Prayer Requests:
Personal
- Lord, please help me to submit to your leadership and never trust my own heart.
- Lord, please help me to honor you with all that you have entrusted to me.
- Lord, please help me to stand firm and never compromise your name.
Political
- Representative Hank Vaupel – District 47 – Fowlerville
- Senator Roger Victory – District 30 – Hudsonville.
- Representative Rodney Wakeman – District 94 – Frankenmuth