We often approach reading the Old Testament with moans and groans. Faithful readers of scripture soon learn that God has all of these incidents in his Holy Word for a reason. If we but look at our society and culture today we can see much of how people sinned and lived in America today. We lie, cheat, steal and murder each other with abandon.
The reality is we are all the worst of sinners and only Christ can free us to live abundant and worthwhile lives. So learn from Asa and the other Icons of the Bible and be humble! - Andy
Icons of the Bible
Who was King Asa in the Bible?
Asa was a descendant of David and the third king of the southern kingdom of Judah. He ruled for forty-one years (1 Kings 15:10) and “did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God” (2 Chronicles 14:2). The biblical account of Asa’s reign is detailed in 1 Kings 15 and 2 Chronicles 14–16.
Asa became king of Judah in the twentieth year of Jeroboam of Israel’s reign (Jeroboam was the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel after the kingdom divided). Asa’s father, Abijah, had done much evil in God’s sight and only ruled for three years. Asa’s grandfather, Rehoboam, had also done evil in God’s sight. But King Asa instituted reform; he removed the male shrine prostitutes, cut down Asherah poles, and even deposed his grandmother from her position as queen mother because of her involvement with Asherah worship (1 Kings 15:12–13; 2 Chronicles 14:3, 16). Asa also commanded his people to follow the Lord (2 Chronicles 14:4). First Kings 15:14 says, “Although he did not remove the high places, Asa’s heart was fully committed to the Lord all his life” (see also 2 Chronicles 15:17).
Judah was at peace with surrounding nations for ten years during Asa’s reign (2 Chronicles 14:1). Second Chronicles 15 describes a time when Azariah, a prophet, told Asa that, if he sought the Lord, God would be with him. This encouraged Asa to remove idols and to repair the altar at the Lord’s temple. He assembled the people together to sacrifice to the Lord: “They entered into a covenant to seek the Lord, the God of their ancestors, with all their heart and soul. All who would not seek the Lord, the God of Israel, were to be put to death, whether small or great, man or woman. They took an oath to the Lord with loud acclamation, with shouting and with trumpets and horns. All Judah rejoiced about the oath because they had sworn it wholeheartedly. They sought God eagerly, and he was found by them. So the Lord gave them rest on every side” (2 Chronicles 15:12–15).." from the article: Who was King Asa in the Bible?
3 Things Christians Can Learn from King Asa’s Mistakes
Many of us may not recognize the name ‘Asa’ as a significant Biblical character. However, King Asa (from the kingdom of Judah) had a great ruling streak until the very latter years of his life.
For those unfamiliar with Israel’s history, after the time of King Solomon, the Kingdom of Israel split into two factions: the Northern and Southern Kingdoms. The Northern Kingdom produced all evil rulers. Not one of them followed the paths of righteousness.
Although the Southern kingdom had its share of terrible kings, which ultimately led to its downfall and captivity in Babylon (Daniel 1), a number of godly leaders found their way throughout the Southern Kingdom’s history.
Asa was among these, for most of his life.
Son of the evil King Abijah (1 Kings 15), Asa undid many of the reforms of his father and evil grandmother Maakah. Nevertheless, Asa had a number of faults that cut his reign short after roughly three decades.
Let’s learn what happened in Asa’s life, and explore how to avoid some of his mistakes in our everyday lives.." from the article: 3 Things Christians Can Learn from King Asa’s Mistakes
Comments