In chapter
15 we saw the first part of Oded’s prophecy fulfilled, as Asa wisely sought the
LORD in all he did, and was blessed. However here in chapter 16, we will see
the second part of the prophecy fulfilled, as Asa chooses to seek help from
another (Syria) over his God and is left to his own fate.
King
Baasha of the northern kingdom of Israel had a problem, a border problem. A steady
stream of northern defectors had been crossing south into Judah. So Baasha
aimed to put a stop to that with with fences and fortifications. Typically,
countries have resorted to elaborate fortifications to keep their neighbors
out—examples include the Maginot Line constructed by France along their border
with Germany and the Great Wall in China; but in this case (like that of east
Germany’s notorious wall) it was designed to keep subjects from fleeing.
In
response, Asa, instead of calling on the Lord as he had done when faced with
the Egyptian threat, hired Syrian troops to invade Israel from the north. He
assumed Baasha couldn't fight a two-front war and would have to withdraw. And
he was right—he was even able to take the fortification materials and use them
to build up his own defenses. Only one problem, there's no indication Asa
sought the Lord or took counsel from any prophet or priest. Instead, he put his
faith in his new “allies.” And to add insult to injury, Asa used gold and
silver from the temple treasury to hire the troops.
So
God sent Hanani the “seer” (another word for prophet) to rebuke the king and
tell him the punishment would be more war (16:9). Asa made a bad situation
worse by lashing out in pride and anger, imprisoning Hanani the prophet and
oppressing the people. His stubborn rebelliousness persisted through a later
personal health crisis, and he died unrepentant and angry.
Asa
had it all but he made a bad decision to seek man’s wisdom and help first,
rather than the LORD his God. Asa did what was right in his own eyes and did
not seek God’s blessing in the matter. Therefore (as was prophesied), sense he
chose to forsake God, Asa was also forsaken to his own choices. Now understand, there
is nothing wrong in seeking or accepting human wisdom, but let’s make sure we
have gone to God in prayer first, laid it out to Him, sought His blessing in the
matter, then move forward in a spirit of confidence that God is with us, and not
left to our own folly like Asa.
The
Truth
‘But I have
this against you, that you have
left your first love.‘Therefore
remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at
first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its
place—unless you repent.’ (Revelation 2:4-5)
