Journal Through the Bible: Week 94 Saturday

Horne, Charles, and Julius Bewer.
The Bible and Its Story: History–Poetry, II Chronicles to Psalms. Vol. 5.
New York, NY: Francis R. Niglutsch, 1909. Print.
 (Asa Restores God's Worship: Public Domain)

II Chronicles 15:8-16:14

When Asa heard the commands of God through Azariah the prophet (found in the Friday journal post) he implemented further reforms in Judah, Benjamin, and the cities he had taken in Mount Ephraim. Many from the tribes of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon were drawn to Asa and his kingdom when they saw that the LORD was with him.

And they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul.  (15:12)

Does God issue any commands?

• The commands were given earlier in chapter 15. (See Week 94 Friday.) Asa disregarded them at the end of chapter 16. Because Asa disregarded the commandments God punished him with war and with diseased feet. Asa did not seek the LORD'S help for the healing of his feet either.

Does God make any promises?

• Because Asa led the nation in spiritual reforms that led to a renewing of the covenant God gave them rest for many years.
• When Asa sent gold and silver to Benhadad the king of Syria so that he would bring his army against Baasha of Israel God sent Hanani the seer to tell Asa that the host of Syria had escaped out of his hand because he had trusted the Syrians instead of God to deliver Judah from Israel.
• Because Asa had not sought the LORD he would have wars from that time forward.

Does this passage teach anything about Jesus?

• Jesus is the fulfillment of the covenant. It is His blood that ratifies it many years after Asa lived.
• Unlike Asa, Jesus completed the work of the covenant. He did not start well and end badly like Asa. Jesus said, "It is finished!"

Does this passage teach anything about yet-future events?

Not that I identified.