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“Lesson 7 - How Satan Derailed Asa”
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Lesson 7 - How Satan Derailed Asa
01/18/2012
Introduction:
The story of Asa is found in 2 Chronicles 14-16. Overall, Asa was a good king who did much that was right in the sight of the Lord. His father (Abijah) and grandfather (Rehoboam) had allowed idol worship to infiltrate the land. The worship of Baal and Asherah was especially hideous and despicable in the sight of the Lord. Baal was usually represented by a stone pillar. Asherah was a wood carving erected beside the Baal statue. Both held containers where incense was burned. Both were considered idols. In one of his first actions taken after coming to power, Asa took away the opportunity for pagan worship to continue, 14.3-5. As a result, God blessed the nation with peace and rest. This allowed Judah to build and prosper, 14.7.
Despite the good times, Asa’s kingdom was not exempt from attack. An Ethiopian force led by Zerah approached Judah from the south, coming as far as Mareshah. While Judah had an impressive force, they were no match for the 1 million soldiers and 300 chariots Zerah brought with him. Vastly outnumbered, Asa’s first response after going out to meet the enemy in the valley of Zephathah was to call out to God. His prayer is worthy of examination. And Asa cried to the LORD his God, ‘O LORD, there is none like you to help, between the mighty and the weak. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this multitude. O LORD, you are our God; let not man prevail against you’, 14.11. His prayer is notable. Asa:
- Called on God with confidence. He had served God faithfully for ten years.
- Expressed his trust in God.
- Understood that victory was not possible without God’s help.
Because of Asa’s faith, God routed the Ethiopians, 14.12. In 2 Chronicles 15, the prophet Azariah came to visit. Azariah commended Asa and Israel: But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded, 15.7. And with this, the king did not sit down. 15.8-19 records that he dedicated himself to even more service.
In fact, Asa excelled in seeking God. He fought idolatry outside Judah. He restored altars and renewed a covenant with God. He made idolatry a capital crime, 15.13. Asa’s dedication to God and commitment to removing idols was so serious that he deposed his mother, Maachah because of her idol worship. To Asa, spiritual purity was more important than family loyalty.
The happenings of 2 Chronicles 14-15 record events that took place during the early and middle parts of Asa’s life. During this time, his dedication to God was outstanding. But, darkness invaded his life and things were never the same. How did darkness derail Asa during later life?
Darkness Caused Asa to Forget His Need for God
While the first half of Asa’s life is commendable, something changed. Even with all his success, Asa failed to honor God and give Him glory. The consistent love and obedience that once characterized his life changed. “It is as if we meet two altogether different Asa’s. He appeared first in the strength of God-reliance, now in the weakness of self-reliance.”?1
Asa’s descent down into darkness began when a small force from Israel threatened. To isolate Judah, king Baasha began to build a fortress in Ramah to hamper travel going in and coming out of Judah. Now in his 36th year of reign, and several years of peace, Asa had become self reliant. Without hesitation, Asa took silver and gold from the temple and sent it to Syria, asking them to send troops to conduct raids on cities in the northern part of Israel - distracting Israel’s attention from Judah. Syria was glad to oblige. With Israel’s attention turned elsewhere, Asa raided Ramah, taking the materials used to build the fortress to build his own cities. One can only imagine that as Asa succeeded there was much happiness inside his government. But there is something strikingly different from the events here than in chapter 14. Was God consulted? It is not sinful for us to use human plans. The problem comes when God is left out of them. It is very obvious that God was left out of Asa’s plans. What is especially ironic is how Asa failed the test when facing such an inferior force (Israel) as compared to how he reacted when Zerah’s superior army approached during the early days in his reign.
What about us? It is very easy to forget God. Are we committed to involving Him in our plans? In the New Testament we read, Come now, you who say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that, James 4.13-15. We must ask, is it God’s will? We must consider what His will is.
Living in a fast paced world, it is very easy to make our own plans, do what seems right to us, or rely on whatever works. We forget that God is not concerned with our abilities. God is not honored by our plans. We must learn the patience of slowing down, giving consideration to God’s will, and letting Him take control. Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths, Proverbs 3.5-6.
Darkness Hardened Asa Against Correction
After Asa’s victory over Baasha of Israel, God sent Hanani to the king’s palace to make known His displeasure. Through the prophet, Asa heard the bitter truth: Because you relied on the king of Syria, and did not rely on the LORD your God, the army of the king of Syria has escaped you. Were not the Ethiopians and the Libyans a huge army with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet because you relied on the LORD, he gave them into your hand. For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. You have done foolishly in this, for from now on you will have wars, 2 Chronicles 16.7-9.
Verse 9 is especially important as it communicates an eternal truth. God will give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward Him. There is no problem that God’s sons and daughters face which is beyond His ability to handle. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose, Romans 8.28.
It is unfortunate that Hanani got to experience one of the drawbacks of being a prophet. Instead of melting Asa’s heart, his words had the opposite effect. In an angry rage, he had the seer bound in stocks and sent to prison. The record also says that he oppressed the people of his nation. There is no record of Asa’s return to God. He continued to go his own way. There is no end to following self. We cannot expect to serve self and be rewarded by God.
Asa’s reaction to Hanani stands in remarkable contrast to his great great grandfather David. When Nathan confronted David about his sin with Bathsheba, David immediately repented by admitting his error, 2 Samuel 12.13. His heart was broken and he reached out to God, Psalm 51.1-4.
Paul experienced a similar reaction as Hanani when teaching the truth of the gospel to the Galatians. His teaching made some of them very mad. To this he asked, Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth, Galatians 4.16. How do you react when someone confronts you over a spiritual issue you are struggling with? Are you letting pride control your heart?
Questions for Discussion
1. What can you learn from Asa’s prayer in 14.9-11?
2. In what ways did Asa excel in serving God in 15.8-19?
3. When compared to his earlier life, what is so ironic about Asa’s actions in 16.2-6?
4. Living in today’s culture, why is it so easy to forget God in our plans?
5. What are some things you can do to become more conscious of the presence of God in your life?
6. How can 16.9 be a source of hope for your life?
7. How did Asa react to Hanani’s message from God?
8. When confronted with sin, how did this compare to Asa’s great great grandfather?
9. How did the Galatians react to Paul’s teaching of the truth?
10. What are some steps you can take to guard against a negative reaction to someone bringing a spiritual shortcoming to your attention?
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1 Constable, T. (2012). “Notes on 2 Chronicles.” Retrieved 01/14/2012 from http://www.soniclight.com/constable/notes/pdf/2chronicles.pdf
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