Topical Bible: Obedience to God: Asa

Bible > Topical > Obedience to God

◄ Obedience to God: Asa ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Asa, the third king of Judah, is a prominent biblical figure known for his commitment to obedience to God. His reign is detailed in the books of 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles, where he is depicted as a ruler who sought to align his kingdom with the will of God, demonstrating both the blessings of obedience and the consequences of faltering faith.

Early Reforms and Devotion

Asa ascended to the throne of Judah following the reign of his father, Abijah. From the outset, Asa distinguished himself by his dedication to the Lord. The Bible records that "Asa did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, as his father David had done" (1 Kings 15:11). His early reign was marked by significant religious reforms aimed at purging idolatry from the land. Asa removed the pagan altars and high places, shattered the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles (2 Chronicles 14:3). He commanded Judah to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, and to observe the law and the commandments (2 Chronicles 14:4).

Asa's obedience brought peace and prosperity to Judah. The land experienced a period of rest, and Asa capitalized on this time to fortify the cities and strengthen the nation's defenses (2 Chronicles 14:6-7). His reliance on God was further demonstrated during the invasion by Zerah the Cushite. Asa cried out to the LORD, saying, "LORD, there is no one besides You to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on You, and in Your name we have come against this multitude" (2 Chronicles 14:11). The LORD responded to Asa's faith by granting Judah a decisive victory.

Covenant Renewal and National Revival

Asa's commitment to God extended beyond military reliance. In the fifteenth year of his reign, he led the nation in a covenant renewal ceremony. The people gathered in Jerusalem, and Asa offered sacrifices to the LORD. They entered into a covenant to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and soul (2 Chronicles 15:12). The Bible notes that "all Judah rejoiced over the oath, for they had sworn it wholeheartedly. They sought God eagerly, and He was found by them. So the LORD gave them rest on every side" (2 Chronicles 15:15).

Asa's grandmother, Maacah, was removed from her position as queen mother because she had made a repulsive Asherah pole. Asa cut down her idol, crushed it, and burned it in the Kidron Valley (1 Kings 15:13). This act demonstrated Asa's unwavering commitment to purging idolatry from his kingdom, even when it involved his own family.

Later Years and Reliance on Human Alliances

Despite his early faithfulness, Asa's later years were marked by a reliance on human alliances rather than on God. When faced with the threat of Baasha, king of Israel, Asa sought the help of Ben-Hadad, king of Aram, rather than relying on the LORD (2 Chronicles 16:2-3). This decision was rebuked by the prophet Hanani, who reminded Asa of God's past deliverance and chastised him for relying on the king of Aram instead of the LORD (2 Chronicles 16:7-9).

Asa's response to this rebuke was one of anger, and he imprisoned the prophet. Additionally, Asa oppressed some of the people at that time (2 Chronicles 16:10). In his thirty-ninth year, Asa was afflicted with a severe disease in his feet, yet even in his illness, he did not seek the LORD but relied on physicians (2 Chronicles 16:12).

Legacy of Obedience and Warning

Asa's reign serves as both an example and a warning regarding obedience to God. His early years illustrate the blessings of wholehearted devotion and reliance on the LORD, while his later years caution against the dangers of self-reliance and neglecting God's guidance. Asa's life underscores the importance of consistent faithfulness and the need to seek God in all circumstances.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Kings 15:11
And Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, as did David his father.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Asa's Reformation, and Consequent Peace and victory
... but he learned the 'bias' from God's own declarations ... divine dealings with Israel
brought obedience and well ... and records scarcely anything of Asa's reign except ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture g/asas reformation and consequent peace.htm

Asa
... accurately executed Jehovah's fiat, whereas Asa's obedience seemed imperfect ... the
former condemned, because Asa, unlike Jehu ... our little part in God's service, in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/asa.htm

The Perfect Heart.
... This passage occurs in the history of Asa, one of the ... restore the worship and service
of the God of Israel ... back the nation to its allegiance and obedience to God ...
//christianbookshelf.org/booth/godliness/chapter viii the perfect heart.htm

Jehoshaphat's Reform
... noted in this passage is that Jehoshaphat followed in the steps of Asa his father ...
beliefs or by sentiment, but by ordering his life in obedience to God's will ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/jehoshaphats reform.htm

Jehoshaphat
... groves out of Judah." Verses 5, 6. "And the remnant of the Sodomites, which remained
in the days of his father Asa, he took ... In obedience to God's law there ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 15 jehoshaphat.htm

Entering the Covenant: with all the Heart
... which are written in the book." Of Asa's day, we ... Begin by asking God very humbly
to give you by the ... the heavenly life of wholehearted love and obedience, as it ...
/.../murray/the two covenants/chapter xviii entering the covenant .htm

Covenanting a Duty.
... Under Asa, and also under Josiah, the people in their civil capacity with ... that their
worship was idolatrous, and calculated to lead from obedience to God. ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter iii covenanting a duty.htm

The Kingdom Op Judah.
... and submissive, he was again blessed by God, and Judah ... No doubt Rehoboam's obedience
saved him from sharing the ... three years, and was succeeded by his son Asa. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson vii the kingdom op.htm

Manner of Covenanting.
... imperfections numerous and great attaching to obedience rendered in ... avouched the
Lord to be their God; and presenting ... the kingdom of Judah, with Asa their king ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter ii manner of covenanting.htm

Note F. --Chap. xviii the Whole Heart
... to love Him with a wholehearted love, that obedience is within ... The words concerning
Asa, in 2 Chronicles 15:12, 15 ... work that he began, to seek his God, he did ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/murray/the two covenants/note f chap xviii the whole.htm