Go to your Bibles and read the Book of 2 Chronicles Chapters 14-17, then follow the study guide below. 14:3. For groves, see the note on Judges 3:6, 7. 14:11. Asa’s early trust in God is emphasized here. The battle against Zerah the Ethiopian is not recorded in 1 Kings. Biblical Ethiopia (ancient Cush) is the modern Sudan. 15:1. Asa’s early years were spent wisely, his godly piety (14:2) being put to spiritual (14:4, 5) and political purposes (14:5-8). The encouragement of Azariah (vv. 1-7) only increased his faithful activities, including a further religious purge of idolatry (v. 8) that, unfortunately, stopped short of full cleansing (v. 17). Even his powerful grandmother, Maachah, saw the influence of her apostate religion terminated (v. 16). See the note on 1 Kings 15:2. 15:12. Asa’s spiritual fidelity showed itself further in his leading of the people in an act of covenant renewal (cf. Josh. 24:2). All true Israelites from all quarters were invited to the ceremony (v. 9). 16:7. Because Asa hired an Aramean king to relieve the pressures put on his northern frontier by the Israelite king Baasha (vv. 1-6), he is rebuked by God’s prophet. For his breach of trust Asa is faced with judgement (v. 9). The episode marked a turning point in Asa’s spiritual decline, during which he persecuted the godly Hanani. Asa was to die in shame (vv. 12-14). 17:2-5. Asa’s early spiritual sensitivity had a strong formative effect upon Jehoshaphat’s character (cf. 15:2, 17; 20:32). For Baalim, see the note on Judges 2:11-15. 17:6-9. Jehoshaphat’s zeal for the Lord saw to the appointment of officials and Levites who traveled throughout his kingdom teaching the law of the LORD in accordance with the prescription of the Mosaic legislation (Deut. 17:18-20; cf. 2 Sam. 23:3, 4). 17:10-19. This account of Jehoshaphat’s growing power and prosperity is not recorded by the author of Kings. Yours in Jesus Christ,
Posted on: Sat, 17 Aug 2013 14:01:47 +0000
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