II Chronicles 15 Commentary
And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded:
And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The Lord is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.
Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law.
But when they in their trouble did turn unto the Lord God of Israel, and sought him, he was found of them.
And in those times there was no peace to him that went out, nor to him that came in, but great vexations were upon all the inhabitants of the countries.
And nation was destroyed of nation, and city of city: for God did vex them with all adversity.
Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.
And when Asa heard these words, and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and put away the abominable idols out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and out of the cities which he had taken from mount Ephraim, and renewed the altar of the Lord, that was before the porch of the Lord.
And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and the strangers with them out of Ephraim and Manasseh, and out of Simeon: for they fell to him out of Israel in abundance, when they saw that the Lord his God was with him.
So they gathered themselves together at Jerusalem in the third month, in the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa.
And they offered unto the Lord the same time, of the spoil which they had brought, seven hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep.
And they entered into a covenant to seek the Lord God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul;
That whosoever would not seek the Lord God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman.
And they sware unto the Lord with a loud voice, and with shouting, and with trumpets, and with cornets.
And all Judah rejoiced at the oath: for they had sworn with all their heart, and sought him with their whole desire; and he was found of them: and the Lord gave them rest round about.
And also concerning Maachah the mother of Asa the king, he removed her from being queen, because she had made an idol in a grove: and Asa cut down her idol, and stamped it, and burnt it at the brook Kidron.
But the high places were not taken away out of Israel: nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect all his days.
And he brought into the house of God the things that his father had dedicated, and that he himself had dedicated, silver, and gold, and vessels.
And there was no more war unto the five and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa.
II Chronicles 15 recounts a pivotal moment in the reign of King Asa, marked by prophetic encouragement, sweeping reforms, and national covenant renewal. This chapter serves as a powerful reminder of the blessings that flow from seeking God wholeheartedly and the consequences of spiritual apathy. It offers timeless lessons relevant to individuals and communities striving to live in accordance with God's will.
Prophetic Encouragement and Historical Context (II Chronicles 15:1-6)
The Spirit of God moved upon the prophet Azariah, son of Oded, who met Asa with a crucial message. Azariah exhorted Asa and the people of Judah and Benjamin to diligently seek the Lord. He declared that the Lord would be with them as long as they sought Him, but if they forsook Him, He would forsake them (II Chronicles 15:1-2).
To emphasize the importance of seeking God, Azariah reminded Asa of a dark period in Israel's history, widely believed to be a reference to the era of the Judges. He described a time of great turmoil and spiritual decline when "Israel was without the true God, without a teaching priest, and without law" (II Chronicles 15:3). This period was characterized by societal breakdown, violence, and a lack of peace, mirroring the chaos and confusion we often witness in the world today. The text highlights that God Himself "troubled them with every sort of distress" (II Chronicles 15:6).
It is important to note that while God allows distress, He is not the author of sin. Rather, the distress was a consequence of the people's spiritual apathy and disobedience. They had abandoned the true God, lacked faithful spiritual leadership, and were therefore without instruction. This led to a breakdown of moral and spiritual order, with each person doing what was right in their own eyes, a recurring theme in the book of Judges.
The Consequences of Spiritual Neglect (II Chronicles 15:3)
The prophet pinpoints three critical deficiencies that led to Israel's distress.
First, they were "without the true God." This doesn't imply God had abandoned them entirely, as religious activities still occurred. However, their worship lacked authenticity and failed to produce a genuine response from God. They were going through the motions without truly engaging with Him.
Second, they were "without a teaching priest." The absence of faithful spiritual leaders meant the people lacked a divine perspective through which to interpret life and make God-honoring decisions. The priests failed to provide sound biblical teaching, leading to confusion and syncretism, the blending of true beliefs with false ideologies.
Third, they were "without law" or "without instruction." Lacking faithful teaching about the true God, the people were left without guidance on how to apply God's Word to their lives. Consequently, they created their own rules, leading to moral and spiritual decay.
A Call to Courage and Action (II Chronicles 15:7)
In light of this historical reminder, Azariah urged Asa: "But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded!" (II Chronicles 15:7). This echoes the Lord's encouragement to Joshua (Joshua 1:6-9) as he prepared to lead Israel into the Promised Land. Azariah encouraged Asa to take courage, reminding him that God always rewards those who diligently serve Him. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that our efforts to honor God are never in vain. As Paul later wrote to the Corinthians, "be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain" (I Corinthians 15:58).
Asa's Reforms and National Renewal (II Chronicles 15:8-19)
Asa responded to the prophet's message with decisive action. He took courage, removed the detestable idols from the land, and repaired the altar of the Lord (II Chronicles 15:8). Seeing that the Lord was with Asa, many people from the northern kingdom of Israel, who were still practicing idolatry, defected to Judah (II Chronicles 15:9). This highlights how godly leadership and initiative can inspire others to turn to God.
Asa then gathered the people for a great assembly, where they offered sacrifices and entered into a covenant to seek the Lord God of their fathers with all their heart and soul (II Chronicles 15:9-12). This covenant was taken so seriously that anyone who refused to seek the Lord was to be put to death (II Chronicles 15:13). The chronicler emphasizes the joy and enthusiasm with which the people made this commitment (II Chronicles 15:14-15).
As a result of their wholehearted seeking of God, the Lord was found by them, and He granted them rest on every side (II Chronicles 15:15). The chapter concludes by noting that there was no more war until the thirty-fifth year of Asa's reign (II Chronicles 15:19). This demonstrates the tangible blessings that come from seeking God and obeying His commands. God’s protection and peace are promised to those who wholeheartedly pursue Him.
II Chronicles 15 serves as a powerful illustration of the importance of seeking God, the consequences of spiritual apathy, and the blessings that flow from covenant faithfulness. It is a timeless reminder that God rewards those who diligently seek Him and that true and lasting peace is found only in Him.
And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded:
And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The Lord is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.
Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law.
But when they in their trouble did turn unto the Lord God of Israel, and sought him, he was found of them.
And in those times there was no peace to him that went out, nor to him that came in, but great vexations were upon all the inhabitants of the countries.
And nation was destroyed of nation, and city of city: for God did vex them with all adversity.
Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.
And when Asa heard these words, and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and put away the abominable idols out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and out of the cities which he had taken from mount Ephraim, and renewed the altar of the Lord, that was before the porch of the Lord.
And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and the strangers with them out of Ephraim and Manasseh, and out of Simeon: for they fell to him out of Israel in abundance, when they saw that the Lord his God was with him.
So they gathered themselves together at Jerusalem in the third month, in the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa.
And they offered unto the Lord the same time, of the spoil which they had brought, seven hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep.
And they entered into a covenant to seek the Lord God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul;
That whosoever would not seek the Lord God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman.
And they sware unto the Lord with a loud voice, and with shouting, and with trumpets, and with cornets.
And all Judah rejoiced at the oath: for they had sworn with all their heart, and sought him with their whole desire; and he was found of them: and the Lord gave them rest round about.
And also concerning Maachah the mother of Asa the king, he removed her from being queen, because she had made an idol in a grove: and Asa cut down her idol, and stamped it, and burnt it at the brook Kidron.
But the high places were not taken away out of Israel: nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect all his days.
And he brought into the house of God the things that his father had dedicated, and that he himself had dedicated, silver, and gold, and vessels.
And there was no more war unto the five and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa.
II Chronicles 15 recounts a pivotal moment in the reign of King Asa, marked by prophetic encouragement, sweeping reforms, and national covenant renewal. This chapter serves as a powerful reminder of the blessings that flow from seeking God wholeheartedly and the consequences of spiritual apathy. It offers timeless lessons relevant to individuals and communities striving to live in accordance with God's will.
Prophetic Encouragement and Historical Context (II Chronicles 15:1-6)
The Spirit of God moved upon the prophet Azariah, son of Oded, who met Asa with a crucial message. Azariah exhorted Asa and the people of Judah and Benjamin to diligently seek the Lord. He declared that the Lord would be with them as long as they sought Him, but if they forsook Him, He would forsake them (II Chronicles 15:1-2).
To emphasize the importance of seeking God, Azariah reminded Asa of a dark period in Israel's history, widely believed to be a reference to the era of the Judges. He described a time of great turmoil and spiritual decline when "Israel was without the true God, without a teaching priest, and without law" (II Chronicles 15:3). This period was characterized by societal breakdown, violence, and a lack of peace, mirroring the chaos and confusion we often witness in the world today. The text highlights that God Himself "troubled them with every sort of distress" (II Chronicles 15:6).
It is important to note that while God allows distress, He is not the author of sin. Rather, the distress was a consequence of the people's spiritual apathy and disobedience. They had abandoned the true God, lacked faithful spiritual leadership, and were therefore without instruction. This led to a breakdown of moral and spiritual order, with each person doing what was right in their own eyes, a recurring theme in the book of Judges.
The Consequences of Spiritual Neglect (II Chronicles 15:3)
The prophet pinpoints three critical deficiencies that led to Israel's distress.
First, they were "without the true God." This doesn't imply God had abandoned them entirely, as religious activities still occurred. However, their worship lacked authenticity and failed to produce a genuine response from God. They were going through the motions without truly engaging with Him.
Second, they were "without a teaching priest." The absence of faithful spiritual leaders meant the people lacked a divine perspective through which to interpret life and make God-honoring decisions. The priests failed to provide sound biblical teaching, leading to confusion and syncretism, the blending of true beliefs with false ideologies.
Third, they were "without law" or "without instruction." Lacking faithful teaching about the true God, the people were left without guidance on how to apply God's Word to their lives. Consequently, they created their own rules, leading to moral and spiritual decay.
A Call to Courage and Action (II Chronicles 15:7)
In light of this historical reminder, Azariah urged Asa: "But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded!" (II Chronicles 15:7). This echoes the Lord's encouragement to Joshua (Joshua 1:6-9) as he prepared to lead Israel into the Promised Land. Azariah encouraged Asa to take courage, reminding him that God always rewards those who diligently serve Him. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that our efforts to honor God are never in vain. As Paul later wrote to the Corinthians, "be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain" (I Corinthians 15:58).
Asa's Reforms and National Renewal (II Chronicles 15:8-19)
Asa responded to the prophet's message with decisive action. He took courage, removed the detestable idols from the land, and repaired the altar of the Lord (II Chronicles 15:8). Seeing that the Lord was with Asa, many people from the northern kingdom of Israel, who were still practicing idolatry, defected to Judah (II Chronicles 15:9). This highlights how godly leadership and initiative can inspire others to turn to God.
Asa then gathered the people for a great assembly, where they offered sacrifices and entered into a covenant to seek the Lord God of their fathers with all their heart and soul (II Chronicles 15:9-12). This covenant was taken so seriously that anyone who refused to seek the Lord was to be put to death (II Chronicles 15:13). The chronicler emphasizes the joy and enthusiasm with which the people made this commitment (II Chronicles 15:14-15).
As a result of their wholehearted seeking of God, the Lord was found by them, and He granted them rest on every side (II Chronicles 15:15). The chapter concludes by noting that there was no more war until the thirty-fifth year of Asa's reign (II Chronicles 15:19). This demonstrates the tangible blessings that come from seeking God and obeying His commands. God’s protection and peace are promised to those who wholeheartedly pursue Him.
II Chronicles 15 serves as a powerful illustration of the importance of seeking God, the consequences of spiritual apathy, and the blessings that flow from covenant faithfulness. It is a timeless reminder that God rewards those who diligently seek Him and that true and lasting peace is found only in Him.