Step Into Faith

Chapter Reflection

Asa, who once stood firm in faith, now turns to the silver of the Temple to purchase a pagan alliance, trading the protection of the Living God for the strategic maneuvering of men. The tragedy lies in the hardening of a heart that was formerly receptive; when the prophet Hanani confronts him, Asa responds not with the compunction of a king, but with the rage of a tyrant, imprisoning the messenger. Even as his own body begins to fail him with disease, he remains fixed in his reliance on external, worldly remedies, refusing to turn toward the source of his life. The chapter portrays a man who has become a fortress unto himself, collecting spices and building elaborate sepulchers while his inner communion with God withers. The eyes of the Lord, which search for a heart that is 'perfect' or whole toward Him, find instead a soul fragmented by fear and pride. The movement from the Temple treasury to the prison cell to the spice-filled tomb marks a steady withdrawal from the light of divine synergy into the stifling weight of self-sufficiency.

Spiritual HardeningFalse SecurityDivine ScrutinyThe Rejected Physician
← 2 Chronicles

2 Chronicles 16

1In 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.

2Then 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,

3There 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.

4And 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.

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

6Then 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.

7And 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.

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

9For 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.

10Then 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.

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

12And 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.

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

14And 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.

Who God is

What does it mean for you to be seen by the God whose eyes run to and fro, seeking not to condemn, but to show Himself strong on your behalf?

The condition of man

When faced with your own frailty and the collapse of your plans, do you allow the pain to break you open toward God, or do you tighten your grip on the very things that cannot save you?