I thought how quickly things can change. It had only been 20 years since Solomon’s death and Reheboam began his reign. He reigned 17 years and Abijiah 3 years. Now as Asa ascended to the throne a revival of sorts is needed to purify the habits of the people. Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God. He removed the foreign altars and the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. He commanded Judah to seek the LORD, the God of their ancestors, and to obey his laws and commands. He removed the high places and incense altars in every town in Judah, and the kingdom was at peace under him. He built up the fortified cities of Judah, since the land was at peace. No one was at war with him during those years, for the LORD gave him rest (2-6).
In 20 years, maybe more if it stretched back into Solomon’s reign, altars to foreign gods, sacred high place to foreign gods, Asherah poles and other pagan religious practices proliferated in every town in Judah. How easily people can slip from the worship of the Lord into idol worship. Some of these pagan practices may have mimicked the cultic practices of the Lord but much, if not most, were completely divergent from worship practices of Israel. Israel had to know the gods they worshiped were not the Lord.
I am back to my initial thought. How quickly our worship focus can change if we are not careful. This is as true today as it was back in Asa’s day. The slide from the truth of God’s word is so easy. Change can happen subtly –the proverbial boiled frog in the water; change the temperature slowly and the frog doesn't realize what is happening. Change can also come suddenly when one generation of unbelief locks its belief into the consciousness of society.
Our only defense is constant study and conformity to God’s word. Study is important, but then I (and we) must consciously submit to obey and follow God’s word. There is no substitute for obedience.
Asa was correct. As a people we need to seek the LORD… and to obey his laws and commands.
Day in and day out sitting with the Word open, listening to its message and trying to bring it into my heart is my first line of seeking…
Thanks for seeking with me.
Lord, may the meditations of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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