After the 40 year reign of Solomon, the ten tribes of the North decided not to follow Rehoboam, Solomon’s successor. For 210 years, the Northern Kingdom was led by 19 kings whose choices led to destruction in the end. These kings were just, upright, and followed straight paths after the Lord. One of these kings was Asa, great, great grandson of King David. Kings were to be leaders on many fronts: politically, economically, militarily, and spiritually. God expected both kings and people to be loyal to Him. King David was the standard; he set the example of integrity and wholehearted commitment. As each king came to the throne, he faced choices: When Asa came to the throne, he could have chosen to be loyal to his family and continue the family’s pagan worship practices. However, he chose to lead the nation in taking steps toward God.
Choices – Lessons from the Old Testament
Moses said, “I am commanding you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands so that you may live and multiply, and the Lord your God may bless you in the land you are entering to possess. But if your heart turns away and you do not listen and you are led astray to bow in worship to other gods and serve them, I tell you today that you will certainly perish….I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, love the Lord your God, obey him, and remain faithful to him. For he is your life….” Deuteronomy 30: 16-20 (CSB)
Choices of King Asa of Judah – Southern Kingdom (I Kings 15:9-15)
After the 40 year reign of Solomon, the ten tribes of the North decided not to follow Rehoboam, Solomon’s successor. For 210 years, the Northern Kingdom was led by 19 kings whose choices led to destruction in the end. Nineteen kings were given the negative spiritual evaluation of they “did evil in the sight of the Lord,” as they made choices based on evil practices and serving false gods.
The Southern Kingdom of Judah continued for 340 years before falling with only eight kings pleasing the Lord as they “did right in the eyes of the Lord.” These kings were just, upright, and followed straight paths after the Lord. One of these kings was Asa, great, great grandson of King David.
Kings were to be leaders on many fronts: politically, economically, militarily, and spiritually. God expected both kings and people to be loyal to Him. King David was the standard; he set the example of integrity and wholehearted commitment. As each king came to the throne, he faced choices:
1) Heed the words of the Lord through His prophets, choose spiritual renewal, and follow the example of David, his ancestor. OR 2) Continue to connect with the unfaithfulness of other ancestors, continue in spiritual rebellion, and choose to do evil.
When Asa came to the throne, he could have chosen to be loyal to his family and continue the family’s pagan worship practices. However, he chose to lead the nation in taking steps toward God.
“He banished the male cult prostitutes from the land and removed all of the idols that his ancestors had made. He also removed his grandmother, Maacah, from being queen mother, because she had made an obscene image of Asherah.” I Kings 15: 12-13
“Asa did what was right in the Lord’s sight, as his ancestor David had done.” I Kings 15:11 “Asa was wholeheartedly devoted to the Lord his entire life.” I Kings 15: 14b
“When they sin against you – and when they return to you with all their heart and all their soul … may you hear in heaven, your dwelling place, their prayer and petition and uphold their cause. May you forgive your people who sinned against you and all their rebellions against you, and may you grant them compassion …” (excerpts from I Kings 8: 46,48-50)
Just a reminder to us today that God will hear and forgive. He is a God that shows faithful love to a thousand generations! Choose Obedience; Choose Life!
Janice Ramsey
