The Kings Of Judah - Asa (911-870 B.C.)

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                         "THE KINGS OF JUDAH"

                          Asa (911-870 B.C.)

INTRODUCTION

1. Our study of the kings of Judah...
   a. Began with Rehoboam (931-913 B.C.)
   b. Followed by Abijah (913-911 B.C.)
   b. Continues now with Asa (911-870 B.C)

2. As king of Judah, Asa...
   a. Mostly did good - 2Ch 14:2
   b. Reigned for 41 years - 2Ch 16:13

[His reign began well, but ended poorly.  Let's first review his life as
found in 2nd Chronicles...]   

I. LIFE OF ASA

   A. PARENTAGE...
      1. His father was Abijah - 2Ch 14:2 
      2. His mother (or grandmother) was Maacah - 2Ch 15:16; cf. 1Ki
         15:2,10,13

   B. REIGN...
      1. Started with ten years of peace - 2Ch 14:1
      2. During which he led religious reforms and prospered - 2Ch
         14:2-8
      3. Attacked by Zera the Ethiopian, his trust in the Lord gave him
         victory - 2Ch 14:9-15
      4. Reforms prompted by Azariah - 2Ch 15:1-19
         a. Removed idols from Judah and Benjamin
         b. Entered into a covenant with the people to serve the Lord
         c. Deposed the queen mother Maacah
         d. Resulting in 25 years of peace
      5. War with Israel, treaty with Syria - 2Ch 16:1-6
      6. Rebuked by Hanani for trusting in Syria rather than the Lord 
         - 2Ch 16:7-10

   C. DEATH...
      1. Suffered disease in his feet the last two years of his reign 
         - 2Ch 16:11-12
      2. Died after reigning 41 years, mourned greatly by the people 
         - 2Ch 16:13-14

[Asa was evidently loved by his people.  But his reign was marred toward
the end as his trust in God gave way to human alliances.  Let's now
review a few...]

 II. LESSONS FROM ASA

   A. THE VALUE OF PUTTING GOD FIRST...
      1. Asa began his reign by doing good and leading religious
         reforms - 2Ch 14:2-5
      2. The Lord gave him and the nation rest and strength - 2Ch 14:6
      3. A recurring lesson throughout the kings of Judah:  those who
         serve the Lord are blessed!

   B. THE BLESSING OF HELP FROM THE LORD...
      1. Faced with a much larger foe, Asa sought help from God - 2Ch
         14:11
      2. The Lord responded by answering his plea for help - 2Ch
         14:12-13
      3. Once again, God helps those who trust in Him! - cf. 2Ch
         13:14-16

   C. THE KEY TO GOD'S CARE IN YOUR LIFE...
      1. As proclaimed by the prophet Azariah - 2Ch 15:1-2
      2. The Lord is with you while you are with Him! - cf. Jm 4:8
      3. Seek God, and He will be found by you! - cf. Mt 7:7-8
      4. Forsake Him, and He will forsake you! - cf. He 10:38

   D. PUTTING GOD BEFORE FAMILY...
      1. The example of Asa's commitment to the Lord - 2Ch 15:16
      2. Jesus had the same sort of commitment - cf. Mt 12:46-50 
      3. He expects no less from us today - cf. Mt 10:37; Lk 14:26

   E. LEADERS CAN ONLY DO SO MUCH...
      1. Asa did what he could do in Judah - cf. 2Ch 14:2-4; 15:16
      2. But the people in Israel held on their high places - 2Ch 15:17
      3. Unless the people follow, no good leader can be completely
         successful!

   F. GOD LOOKS TO HELP THOSE WHO TRUST IN HIM...
      1. Asa began trusting more in human sources - 2Ch 16:2-3,12
      2. This had an adverse effect in Asa's life - 2Ch 16:7-8
      3. The Lord seeks to show Himself strong for those whose hearts
         are loyal to Him! - 2Ch 16:9  

   G. THE PRIDE OF LIFE...
      1. When he was younger, Asa heeded the counsel of Azariah - 2Ch
         15:8
      2. When he was older, Asa reacted angrily at the rebuke of Hanani
         and took it out on the people - 2Ch 16:10
      3. Just as the lust of flesh strongly affects youth, and the lust
         of the eyes strongly affects the middle-aged, so the pride of 
         life strongly affects the aged!   

CONCLUSION

1. Asa reigned longer than any king of Israel and Judah before him...
   a. Longer than Saul, David, and Solomon, who all reigned 40 years
   b. Asa was blessed to reign 41 years

2. But like a long-distance runner who falters short of the finish
   line...
   a. Asa faltered toward the end of his life
   b. Marring what would have been an otherwise outstanding reign!

May the example of Asa, together with counsel of the prophets Azariah and
Hanani, encourage us never to lose our trust and dependence upon the
Lord, but persevere to the end...! - cf. He 10:35-39
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