2 Chronicles 15-16

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

The Continuing Record of King Asa of Judah

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. There is reward for your work.

  2. The Lord looks for those He can support.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Remember God's mirror image rule.

  2. Let's finish strong.

QUESTIONS

  1. What did King Asa do in the early years of his reign (2 Chronicles 14)?

  2. What message did the prophet Azariah bring to Asa?

  3. What does Asa do in 2 Chronicles 15:16 that shows how seriously he took his reform?

  4. King Baasha of Israel fortified the border city of Ramah to prevent the defectors of the northern kingdom from coming down to Judah. How did King Asa respond?

  5. What was the result of Asa's reliance on something other than God?

ANSWERS

  1. In his reform Asa destroyed the false items of worship. He also had a great victory over the Ethiopians who had attacked the kingdom of Judah.

  2. The Lord sent Azariah to confirm that as long as King Asa continued to follow the Lord, he and the nation of Judah would be blessed. But if he and his kingdom were to forsake the Lord, then the Lord would have to forsake them.

  3. He removed his mother or grandmother from being Queen Mother because of her idolatry.

  4. King Asa turned to Israel's enemy Ben-hadad of Syria for help. He took money from the Lord's treasury to pay this pagan king. When the plan worked and Baasha stopped his building, Asa took the building materials and used them to fortify his own border cities.

  5. He faced wars for the remainder of his reign (16:9).

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. As a result of Asa's reform work, he and his kingdom were rewarded with rest and peace from war. What work are you doing for the Lord? How do you preserve and not grow weary in this work? Be encouraged by 1 Corinthians 15:58.

  2. Asa relied on a pagan king instead of relying on the Lord. In what ways are you looking to the Lord to support you? In what ways are you looking to the world or other sources for your well-being? Every day you face two choices: rely on God or rely on something other than God.

CHALLENGE

  1. King Asa did not finish strong. He was bitter against the Lord and angry toward His prophet. Don't end your life embittered towards God. Let's finish strong.

KEY VERSES

  • "Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you." 2 Chronicles 15:2

  • "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him." 2 Chronicles 16:9

2 Chronicles, Old Testament, TalksRon Reid2 Chronicles 15-16