Judah’s King Asa
2 Asa did what was good and right in the sight of the Lord his God.
Asa did what was right even when no one was looking. A person who lives with integrity aims at doing things that are right because it is right to do what is right, and that pleases God.
3 He removed the pagan altars and the high places. He shattered their sacred pillars and chopped down their Asherah poles.
There was no king after David that fully followed God even though David was their kin up until Asa. Asa's father and grandfather turn to other gods and allowed the people to do the same. When Asa became king, he tore down the things that did not please God and demanded the people to follow after him. He removed the gods of male and female prostitutes and the god his own grandmother (sexual) worshipped. God wants people to lead as he would. Asa could not force people to love God but he could make sure there were no laws that prohibited what the Word of God stood for. Today we make laws that blatantly go against what the Word says. When it is time to vote, we must vote in a manner that stands for what is right for all people, and those are the kind of matters that promote godlilness.
4 He told the people of Judah to seek the Lord God of their ancestors and to carry out the instruction and the commands.
Leaders make a difference in those that follow. It is amazing what we believe and will do if a famous, well-known, or popular promote or advertise a particular belief or thing.
5 He also removed the high places and the shrines[a] from all the cities of Judah, and the kingdom experienced peace under him.
We create things that people recognize, according to what they think or interpret, that are modern-day shrines. A shrine is a holy or sacred site dedicated to a specific deity, ancestor, hero, martyr, saint, daemon, or similar figure of respect, wherein they are venerated or worshipped. Shrines often contain idols, relics, or other such objects associated with the figure being venerated. A shrine at which votive offerings are made is called an altar.
When we won't study God's word, it becomes easier to create things that draw people away from the word of God. Ask people how do they read, or if they read the word of God for understanding? People I know do not read or have no idea of how to study the Word of God. The preacher is not exempt. When we properly study the word of God, we will clearly learn. Also, you will find out that you do not have time for anything else but to seek to know and do what God says to do, and that is all man has ever searched for and still search for. It is hard to explain the effect the word will have on you. Some will describe you as going to the extreme in reading the Word. When in fact, you know for yourself it is the best thing you've met since life began. People who lived the word are people who understand the real meaning of life. We spend time doing what we love or we simply waste time.
6 Because the land experienced peace, Asa built fortified cities in Judah. No one made war with him in those days because the Lord gave him rest.
When we seek God, God commands goodness and mercy to follow us. As long as Asa did the things the way God wanted things to be done, God gave him work to do and made sure the work was completed. Noah spent 120 years building the ark, and no one came against what he was doing. God's hand made sure that people saw what he was doing and God did not allow anyone to disturb what God had assigned him to do.
7 So he said to the people of Judah, “Let’s build these cities and surround them with walls and towers, with doors and bars. The land is still ours because we sought the Lord our God. We sought him and he gave us rest on every side.” So they built and succeeded.
As long as we seek God, we can do the work God has assigned and allowed, and our work will succeed. The work can be anything that promotes the good of people.
The Cushite Invasion
8 Asa had an army of three hundred thousand from Judah bearing large shields and spears, and two hundred eighty thousand from Benjamin bearing regular shields and drawing the bow. All these were valiant warriors.
Asa counted his strongest men who could fight. 300,000 men of war from Judah and 280,000 men from Benjamin who knew how to handle weapons of different sizes and sorts.
9 Then Zerah the Cushite came against them with an army of one million men and three hundred[b] chariots. They came as far as Mareshah.
When Asa formed his men of war, Zerah came against them with a million men and three hundred chariots. This was almost twice the size of Asa's army not counting the chariots.
10 So Asa marched out against him and lined up in battle formation in Zephathah Valley at Mareshah.
Asa took all the soldiers he had and stood against them. He was not afraid of the numbers even though they were greater than what he had.
11 Then Asa cried out to the Lord his God, “Lord, there is no one besides you to help the mighty and those without strength. Help us, Lord our God, for we depend on you, and in your name we have come against this large army. Lord, you are our God. Do not let a mere mortal hinder you.”
Asa cried out to God for help! He first worshipped God for who he is; he then made his request known, he petitioned God for help acknowledging we need help that comes from God; he reminded God of his reputation, and honored him as the God of Israel. Asa asked God to show mere men that they were no match for him even if they were greater in numbers and had weapons.
12 So the Lord routed the Cushites before Asa and before Judah, and the Cushites fled.
God answered Asa and smote the Cushites. He did this in the presence of Asa and his army. When we honor, believe, and obey God we have no enemies who will defeat us.
13 Then Asa and the people who were with him pursued them as far as Gerar. The Cushites fell until they had no survivors, for they were crushed before the Lord and his army. So the people of Judah carried off a great supply of loot.
God took the strength of the enemy. Asa and his soldiers defeated them. There were none left to fight against God and the army of Asa whom God used.
14 Then they attacked all the cities around Gerar because the terror of the Lord was on them. They also plundered all the cities, since there was a great deal of plunder in them.
All surrounding areas heard of what God did through Asa and his army. Asa attacked the cities that were against God and his word. They took back what they rightfully had a right to take from the cities that were under their attack. We sometimes cast down the major sins of our lives, but we ignore the sins that are not as vivid. God wants us to examine his word to remove the surrounding sins that have attached themselves to our lives as habits. We must destroy all that does not pertain to the word of God in our lives.
15 They also attacked the tents of the herdsmen and captured many sheep and camels. Then they returned to Jerusalem.
Asa did not count anything too small or vulnerable when he was bringing correction to what went against God. We cannot look at the outside of man and decided if we should tell or warn them of what the word of God commands. Many people will back off if they feel the people are not in certain conditions for change. When God demands war against sin, he wants an attack on all that is against his word.
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