The Source of the Celebration

Scripture(s): 2 Chronicles 15:1-7

Then the Spirit of God came upon Azariah son of Oded,  and he went out to meet King Asa as he was returning from the battle. "Listen to me, Asa!" he shouted. "Listen, all you people of Judah and Benjamin! The LORD will stay with you as long as you stay with him! Whenever you seek him, you will find him. But if you abandon him, he will abandon you. For a long time, Israel was without the true God, without a priest to teach them, and without God's law. But whenever you were in distress and turned to the LORD, the God of Israel, and sought him out, you found him. During those dark times, it was not safe to travel. Problems troubled the nation on every hand. Nation fought against nation, and city against city, for God was troubling you with every kind of problem. And now, you men of Judah, be strong and courageous, for your work will be rewarded."


Background:
Asa and his army were now returning in triumph from the battle, laden with spoils and adorned with the trophies of victory, the pious prince, we may now suppose, studying what he should render to God for this great favour. He knew that the work of reformation, which he had begun in his kingdom, was not perfected; his enemies abroad were subdued, but there were more dangerous enemies at home that were yet unconquered—idols in Judah and Benjamin: his victory over the former emboldened him vigorously to renew his attack upon the latter (Henry, 1996).

Now here we have, I. The message which God sent to him, by a prophet, to engage him to, and encourage him in, the prosecution of his reformation (v. 1-7). II. The life which this message put into that good cause, and their proceedings in pursuance of it. Idols removed (v. 8). The spoil dedicated to God (v. 9–11). A covenant made with God, and a law for the punishing of idolaters (v. 12–15). A reformation at court (v. 16). Dedicated things brought into the house of God (v. 18). All well, but that the high places were permitted (v. 17). And the effect of this was great peace (v. 19).

Commentary:
It was a great happiness to Israel that they had prophets among them; yet, while they were thus blessed, they were strangely addicted to idolatry, whereas, when the spirit of prophecy had ceased under the second temple, and the canon of the Old Temple was completed (which was constantly read in their synagogues), they were pure from idolatry; for the scriptures are of all other the most sure word of prophecy, and most effectual, and the church could not be so easily imposed upon by a counterfeit Bible as by a counterfeit prophet. Here was a prophet sent to Asa and his army, when they returned victorious from the war with the Ethiopians, not to compliment them and congratulate them on their success, but to quicken them to their duty; this is the proper business of God’s ministers, even with princes and the greatest men. The Spirit of God came upon the prophet (v. 1), both to instruct him what he should say and to enable him to say it with clearness and boldness (Henry, 1996).

I. He told them plainly upon what terms they stood with God. Let them not think that, having obtained this victory, all was their own for ever; no, he must let them know they were upon their good behaviour. Let them do well, and it will be well with them, otherwise not. 1. The Lord is with you while you are with him. This is both a word of comfort, that those who keep close to God shall always have his presence with them, and also a word of caution: "He is with you, while you are with him, but no longer; you have now a signal token of his favourable presence with you, but the continuance of it depends upon your perseverance in the way of your duty.’’ 2. "If you seek him, he will be found of you. Sincerely desire his favour, and aim at it, and you shall obtain it. Pray, and you shall prevail. He never said, nor ever will, Seek you me in vain.’’ See Heb. 11:6. But, 3. "If you forsake him and his ordinances, he is not tied to you, but will certainly forsake you, and then you are undone, your present triumphs will be no security to you; woe to you when God departs (Henry, 1996)."

Reflection: 
King Asa was a king that was instructed of God by His prophets. The majority of his life king Asa obeyed what God spoke through the prophets. However, after one victory, the prophet of God gave a warning that the king nor the people should become to comfortable in their place of celebration. He prophesied that they should remember to be diligent to seek the Lord, and to continue with Him. As long as they continued with the Lord, the Lord would continue with them. If they departed from the Lord through idol worship, or for any other reason, the Lord would depart from them. This incident is a reminder to continue with the Lord, especially in times of victory, when one can quickly forget the victor; in the celebration of the occasion. Let us remember to remember the Victor; the one who gave His life, so that we would have life, and have it more abundantly. Let us celebrate the savior of our souls, and not get so caught up in the temporary celebration that we forget the source of the celebration.



References:

Blue Letter Bible. "Book of 2 Chronicles 15 - (NLT - New Living Translation)." Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2010. 28 May 2010. < http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=2Ch&c=15&t=NLT >

Henry, Matthew. "Commentary on 2 Chronicles 15." . Blue Letter Bible. 1 Mar 1996. 2010. 28 May 2010.
http:// www.blueletterbible.org/commentaries/comm_view.cfm?
AuthorID=4&contentID=1022&commInfo=5&topic=2%20Chronicles&
ar=2Ch_15_1 >

Higgins, S. (2010). The Source of the Celebration. Devotions For Thought. Higgins Publishing. http://www.devotionsforthought.blogspot.com/, http://www.higginspublishing.com/