Topical Encyclopedia Asa, the third king of the Kingdom of Judah, is a significant biblical figure known for his religious reforms and dedication to the covenant with God. His reign is detailed in the books of 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles, where he is depicted as a ruler who sought to restore the worship of Yahweh and eliminate idolatry from his kingdom.Background and Reign Asa was the son of Abijah and the grandson of Rehoboam, succeeding his father as king. His reign is noted for its length, lasting 41 years, and is characterized by a commitment to religious purity and adherence to the covenant established between God and the people of Israel. Asa's account is primarily found in 1 Kings 15:9-24 and 2 Chronicles 14-16. Religious Reforms Upon ascending the throne, Asa initiated a series of religious reforms aimed at renewing the covenant with God. He removed foreign altars and high places, shattered sacred pillars, and cut down Asherah poles, as recorded in 2 Chronicles 14:3-5. Asa commanded Judah to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, and to observe the law and the commandments. His actions were in line with the covenantal stipulations that required exclusive worship of Yahweh and the rejection of idolatry. Covenant Renewal A significant event during Asa's reign was the renewal of the covenant with God, which took place after a victorious battle against the Cushites. Encouraged by the prophet Azariah, Asa gathered the people of Judah and Benjamin, along with those from Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon who had settled among them, to renew their commitment to the LORD. This covenant renewal is described in 2 Chronicles 15:12-15: "Then they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and soul. And all who would not seek the LORD, the God of Israel, would be put to death, whether small or great, man or woman. They took an oath to the LORD with a loud voice, with shouting, trumpets, and rams’ horns. And all Judah rejoiced over the oath, for they had sworn with all their heart and sought Him with all their soul; and He was found by them, and the LORD gave them rest on every side." Challenges and Failures Despite his initial faithfulness, Asa's later years were marked by challenges that tested his adherence to the covenant. In his 36th year as king, Asa faced a threat from Baasha, king of Israel. Instead of relying on God, Asa sought an alliance with Ben-Hadad, king of Aram, by sending him treasures from the temple and his palace. This act of reliance on human alliances rather than divine intervention was rebuked by the prophet Hanani, as recorded in 2 Chronicles 16:7-9. Asa's response to this rebuke was one of anger, leading to the imprisonment of Hanani and oppression of some of the people. In his final years, Asa suffered from a severe foot disease. Even in this, he did not seek the LORD but relied on physicians, as noted in 2 Chronicles 16:12. This reliance on human means rather than divine help marked a departure from his earlier faithfulness to the covenant. Legacy Asa's reign is a testament to the importance of covenant faithfulness and the consequences of turning away from reliance on God. His initial reforms and covenant renewal brought peace and prosperity to Judah, demonstrating the blessings of obedience. However, his later reliance on human alliances and neglect of divine aid serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of forsaking the covenant with God. Asa's life underscores the biblical theme that true security and success come from trusting in the LORD and adhering to His covenant. Nave's Topical Index 2 Chronicles 15:12-15And they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul; Nave's Topical Index Library Entering the Covenant: with all the Heart The Good Man Useful in Life and Happy in Death. National Apostasy The Search that Always Finds Covenanting Enforced by the Grant of Covenant Signs and Seals. Covenanting Performed in Former Ages with Approbation from Above. Book ii. A Description of Heart-Purity That the Employing Of, and Associating with the Malignant Party ... Washed to Greater Foulness Resources What is the Edenic covenant? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Abrahamic Covenant? | GotQuestions.org What is a covenant? | GotQuestions.org Covenant: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Covenant of God With Men: Binding Covenant of God With Men: Broken by the Jews Covenant of God With Men: Confirmed With an Oath Covenant of God With Men: Everlasting Covenant of God With Men: God Faithful To Covenant of God With Men: Punishments for Breaking of Covenant of God With Men: Repudiated by God on Account of Jews' Idolatry Covenant of Man With God: Absalom Covenant of Man With God: Israelites Covenant of Man With God: Jacob Covenant of Man With God: Jehoiada and Joash Covenant of Man With God: Joshua Covenant of Man With God: Josiah Covenant of Man With God: Nehemiah Covenant of Men With Men by a Monument Covenant of Men With Men by Giving Presents Covenant of Men With Men by Giving the Hand Covenant of Men With Men by Making a Feast Covenant of Men With Men by offering a Sacrifice Covenant of Men With Men by Salting Covenant of Men With Men: Breach of, Punished Covenant of Men With Men: Loosing the Shoe Covenant of Men With Men: Written and Sealed Covenant of the Ten Commandments Covenant with David and his House Covenant with Israel, at Horeb Covenant with the Israelites to Deliver Them from Egypt Covenant: Abraham and Abimelech Covenant: Binding, not Only on Those Who Make Them, But on Those Who are Represented Covenant: Jews With Each Other, to Serve God Covenant: King Zedekiah and his Subjects Covenant: Subjects With Sovereign Covenant: The Mosaic Law Called a Covenant The Covenant is a Covenant of Peace The Covenant: All Saints Interested In The Covenant: Blessings Connected With The Covenant: Caution Against Forgetting The Covenant: Christ, the Mediator of The Covenant: Christ, the Messenger of The Covenant: Christ, the Substance of The Covenant: Confirmed in Christ The Covenant: Fulfilled in Christ The Covenant: God is Ever Mindful of The Covenant: God is Faithful To The Covenant: Made With: Abraham The Covenant: Made With: David The Covenant: Made With: Isaac The Covenant: Made With: Israel The Covenant: Made With: Jacob The Covenant: Plead, in Prayer The Covenant: Punishment for Despising The Covenant: Ratified by the Blood of Christ The Covenant: Renewed Under the Gospel The Covenant: The Wicked Have No Interest In Related Terms Covenant-victim (2 Occurrences) |
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