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Bob Utley · Citado em PreceptAustin
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Utley has an interesting note -- This is a covenant renewal ceremony (the original affirmation is in Exod. 24:1-3) like Moses held in Deut. 29:1 Joshua held in Josh. 8:30-35; 24:25 Samuel held in 1 Sam. 11:14 David held in 1 Chr. 13:2-5; 28; 29 Same as 4. Jehoiada held in 2 Chr. 23:16 Hezekiah held in 2 Chr. 29:10 Josiah held in 2 Chr. 34:31 Ezra held in Nehemiah 8 Covenant (01285) berit/berith/beriyth means covenant, treaty, compact, agreement between two parties (first use in God's covenant with Noah - Ge 6:18, 9:9, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17). As discussed more below beriyth describes a compact made by passing between pieces of flesh. Covenant is a solemn, binding arrangement between two parties and entails a variety of responsibilities, benefits and penalties depending on the specific covenant which is being studied. OT covenants were made between God and man (eg, God with Noah - Ge 6:18, with Abram - Ge 15:18) or between men (Abraham and Abimelech - Ge 21:27, Isaac and Abimelech - Ge 26:28, Jacob and Laban - Ge 31:44) (For summary of covenants see - Covenant in the Bible). Covenant can be summarized as follows… (1) Between two parties (sometimes equal, other times superior to inferior) -- (a) nations -- (peace) treaty, alliance of friendship (b) individuals -- a pledge or agreement with mutual obligations to each other (c) monarch and subjects (2Sa 3:21, 5:3, 1Chr 11:3) -- a constitution (d) God and man -- Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, New Covenants. TWOT adds that…"Apart from blood ties the covenant was the way people of the ancient world formed wider relationships with each other The accounts of the relationship between David and Jonathan are the only unequivocal mention of a compact between two individuals in the Old Testament (1Sa 18:3; 20:8; 23:18). It is spoken of as “a covenant of the Lord” because the Lord witnessed the transaction and protected the legal order." (2) Accompanied by (a) signs (also witnesses, memorials, shared meals) (b) sacrifices, (c) solemn, binding oaths -- sealing the relationship with promises of blessing for keeping the covenant and curses for breaking the covenant (d) Sometimes with written document on which the words of the covenant, its terms in the form of promises and stipulations were spelled out, witnessed to, signed and sealed. Behm (TDNT) notes that in ancient times There is no firmer guarantee of legal security peace or personal loyalty than the covenant (e.g., Amos 1:9). (3) Is depicted in the idiomatic phrase "make (cut) a covenant" in which there is was a blood sacrifice as part of the covenant ritual. Almost 100 years ago, Andrew Murray motivated by a waning understanding regarding the truth and power inherent in the Biblical truth of covenant wrote that… One of the words of Scripture, which is almost going out of fashion, is the word 'Covenant'. There was a time when it was the keynote of the theology and the Christian life of strong and holy men. We know how deep in Scotland it entered into the national life and thought. It made mighty men, to whom God, and His promise and power were wonderfully real. It will be found still to bring strength and purpose to those who will take the trouble to bring all their life (Ed: and their marriages) under control of the inspiring assurance that they are living in covenant with a God who has sworn faithfully to fulfill in them every promise He has given. (Two Covenants - Index - Andrew Murray) F B
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Utley - These actions could refer to worship or war (cf. 2 Chr. 13:15). The shout would be an affirmation of faith (i.e., 2 Chr. 12:6). Gustafson - There were three more musical instruments in 1 Chronicles 15:28 to make noise when they brought the ark up to Jerusalem to its rightful place. (What the Bible Teaches - 1 Chronicles and 2 Chronicles) Made an oath (07650) (shaba) means to swear, take an oath, probably has some connection with the root shv', related to the number "seven." Shaba is used first by Abimelech to Abraham (Ge 21:23, cf Jdg 21:1, 2Sa 21:2). It is often used to strongly affirm a promise (Josh 6:22, 1Sa 20:17). Allegiance to God is pledged by an oath (Isa. 19:18). Sometimes Yahweh swears by Himself (Ge 22:16, Jer 22:5). God also swore an oath to Abraham personally (Gen. 24:7; Ex. 13:11). A wife suspected of adultery was forced to take an oath affirming the proposed curse on her if she were found guilty (Num. 5:21). Yahweh brought Israel into the land as He had promised by oath to their fathers (Ex. 13:5; Deut. 1:8, 35; 6:10; Josh. 1:6; Jdg. 2:1; Jer. 11:5). Complete Biblical Library - Shāvaʿ is used only once in the Qal (simple) stem describing a man who has put himself under a vow (Num. 30:2). It was used most often in the Niphal stem to indicate "to swear," with some various shades of meaning depending upon the grammatical context. Shāvaʿ is used to indicate "swearing to someone," that is, putting oneself under obligation to someone. Abraham was enjoined by Abimelech "to swear" to him by God (Gen. 21:23) that he would not deal falsely with Abimelech or Phicol (cf. 1 Sam. 20:42; 1 Ki. 1:17). Abraham responded by asserting that he would bind himself with an oath to deal with them honestly (v. 24). The idiom using the Niphal stem of shāvaʿ plus the noun for "oath" built upon the same stem (HED #8095) is found in 26:3. The person making an oath would swear by something, for example, his soul or life. A solemn oath could be sworn "by the life of Yahweh," that is, "as Yahweh lives" (1 Sam. 19:6). Shāvaʿ could be used "to urge or adjure with an oath" (2 Sam. 21:17). Used with the preposition ʿal (HED #6142), "concerning" an oath or the act of swearing concerning any particular issue could be expressed (Gen. 24:9). In the causative stem, the word takes on the meaning of "making someone swear by," as when Abraham's chief servant recounted how Abraham had caused him to swear an oath (v. 37). The word is employed in this stem to "adjure or charge" someone to do something (SS 2:7; 5:8; 8:4). In general, shāvaʿ is employed in mainly these contexts: covenant making, where the parties involved made vows, oaths or promises to one another (Deut. 4:31; 1 Sam. 20:42); oath taking, which was a serious transaction in Israel and involved a person's taking upon himself (and possibly others) a curse if that person did not carry out his oath faithfully; vow making, which was solemn and not to be broken (cf. Num. 30:2). SHABA/SABA - 175V - adjure(6), curse(1), exchanged oaths(1), made a covenant(1), made an oath(1), promised on oath(1), promised them by oath(1), put the under oath(1), put them under oath(1), solemn(1), solemnly swear(1), strictly put(1), swear(40), swearer(1), swearing(1), swears(6), swore(62), sworn(41), take an oath(2), take the oath(1), take oath(1), takes(1), took an oath(3), took the oath(1), under oath(3), used(1), vow(1), vowed(6). Gen. 21:23; Gen. 21:24; Gen. 21:31; Gen. 22:16; Gen. 24:3; Gen. 24:7; Gen. 24:9; Gen. 24:37; Gen. 25:33; Gen. 26:3; Gen. 26:31; Gen. 31:53; Gen. 47:31; Gen. 50:5; Gen. 50:6; Gen. 50:24; Gen. 50:25; Exod. 13:5; Exod. 13:11; Exod. 13:19; Exod. 32:13; Exod. 33:1; Lev. 5:4; Lev. 6:3; Lev. 6:5; Lev. 19:12; Num. 5:19; Num. 5:21; Num. 11:12; Num. 14:16; Num. 14:23; Num. 30:2; Num. 32:10; Num. 32:11; Deut. 1:8; Deut. 1:34; Deut. 1:35; Deut. 2:14; Deut. 4:21; Deut. 4:31; Deut. 6:10; Deut. 6:13; Deut. 6:18; Deut. 6:23; Deut. 7:8; Deut. 7:12; Deut. 7:13; Deut. 8:1; Deut. 8:18; Deut. 9:5; Deut. 10:11; Deut. 10:20; Deut. 11:9; Deut. 11:21; Deut. 13:17; Deut. 19:8; Deut. 26:3; Deut. 26:15; Deut. 28:9; Deut. 28:11; Deut. 29:13; Deut. 30:20; Deut. 31:7; Deut. 31:20; Deut. 31:21; Deut. 31:23; Deut. 34:4; Jos. 1:6; Jos. 2:12; Jos. 2:17; Jos. 2:20; Jos. 5:6; Jos. 6:22; Jos. 6:26; Jos. 9:15; Jos. 9:18; Jos. 9:19; Jos. 9:20; Jos. 14:9; Jos. 21:43; Jos. 21:44; Jos. 23:7; Jdg. 2:1; Jdg. 2:15; Jdg. 15:12; Jdg. 21:1; Jdg. 21:7; Jdg. 21:18; 1 Sam. 3:14; 1 Sam. 14:27; 1 Sam. 14:28; 1 Sam. 19:6; 1 Sam. 20:3; 1 Sam. 20:17; 1 Sam. 20:42; 1 Sam. 24:21; 1 Sam. 24:22; 1 Sam. 28:10; 1 Sam. 30:15; 2 Sam. 3:9; 2 Sam. 3:35; 2 Sam. 19:7; 2 Sam. 19:23; 2 Sam. 21:2; 2 Sam. 21:17; 1 Ki. 1:13; 1 Ki. 1:17; 1 Ki. 1:29; 1 Ki. 1:30; 1 Ki. 1:51; 1 Ki. 2:8; 1 Ki. 2:23; 1 Ki. 2:42; 1 Ki. 18:10; 1 Ki. 22:16; 2 Ki. 11:4; 2 Ki. 25:24; 2 Chr. 15:14; 2 Chr. 15:15; 2 Chr. 18:15; 2 Chr. 36:13; Ezr. 10:5; Neh. 5:12; Neh. 13:25; Ps. 15:4; Ps. 24:4; Ps. 63:11; Ps. 89:3; Ps. 89:35; Ps. 89:49; Ps. 95:11; Ps. 102:8; Ps. 110:4; Ps. 119:106; Ps. 132:2; Ps. 132:11; Eccl. 9:2; Cant. 2:7; Cant. 3:5; Cant. 5:8; Cant. 5:9; Cant. 8:4; Isa. 14:24; Isa. 19:18; Isa. 45:23; Isa. 48:1; Isa. 54:9; Isa. 62:8; Isa. 65:16; Jer. 4:2; Jer. 5:2; Jer. 5:7; Jer. 7:9; Jer. 11:5; Jer. 12:16; Jer. 22:5; Jer. 32:22; Jer. 38:16; Jer. 40:9; Jer. 44:26; Jer. 49:13; Jer. 51:14; Ezek. 16:8; Ezek. 21:23; Dan. 12:7; Hos. 4:15; Amos 4:2; Amos 6:8; Amos 8:7; Amos 8:14; Mic. 7:20; Zeph. 1:5; Zech. 5:3; Zech. 5:4; Mal. 3:5 2 Chronicles 15:15 All Judah rejoiced concerning the oath, for they had sworn with their whole heart and had sought Him earnestly, and He let them find Him. So the LORD gave them rest on every side. rejoiced: 2Ch 23:16-21 29:10,36 De 26:11 Ne 8:9 Ps 32:11 119:111 Pr 3:17 2Co 1:12 sworn: Ps 119:106 sought him: 2Ch 15:2,4,12 Isa 26:8 45:19 Php 1:23 and he was: 2Ch 15:4 the Lord: 2Ch 15:6 Jos 23:1 Job 34:29 Related Passages: 2 Chronicles 14:5-7 He also removed the high places and the incense altars from all the cities of Judah. And the kingdom was undisturbed under him. 6 He built fortified cities in Judah, since the land was undisturbed, and there was no one at war with him during those years, because the LORD had given him rest. 7 For he said to Judah, “Let us build these cities and surround them with walls and towers, gates and bars. The land is still ours because we have sought the LORD our God; we have sought Him, and He has given us rest on every side.” So they built and prospered. 2 Chronicles 15:2; 4; 12 and he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Listen to me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: the LORD is with you when you are with Him. And if you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you....(15:4) “But in their distress they turned to the LORD God of Israel, and they sought Him, and He let them find Him.....(15:12) They entered into the covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and soul; YAHWEH GIVES SEEKERS REST All Judah rejoiced (samah) concerning the oath (shebuah), for (term of explanation- explains why they rejoiced) they had sworn (shaba) with their whole heart and had sought (baqas; Lxx - zeteo) Him earnestly, and He let them find Him (this would be the primary cause for their joy - cf Ps 16:11) - Seeking God is clearly a key theme in 2Ch 15 (2Ch 15:2, 4, 12, 13, 15) and here we see God lets seekers find Him which is an answer to His promise in 2Ch 15:2. In this case it was associated with entering into covenant with Him. Gustafson - We also read of joy or rejoicing in 1 Chronicles 15:25; 16:10; 2 Chronicles 23:13, 18, 21; 30:25, and “great joy” in 1 Chronicles 29:9 and 2 Chronicles 30:26. The writer of the Chronicles takes notice that the Lord matched the wholehearted response of the king and the people with His own favourable response. (What the Bible Teaches - 1 Chronicles and 2 Chronicles) He let them find Him - When Adam sinned his way back into the Garden of Eden and God's presence was shut (Ge 3:24+). Here we see God's grace allowing sinners to find Him. To be sure, no sinner could find God, unless He willed it to happen as He did in this case. Alexander
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Utley - "the Spirit of God" This is an OT idiom of YHWH's empowering a person to do His will. the artistic work of the tabernacle ‒ Exod. 28:3; 31:3; 35:31 70 elders to help Moses ‒ Num. 11:16,17,25,26,29 prophets Balaam ‒ Num. 24:2 Azariah ‒ 2 Chr. 15:1 Jahaziel ‒ 2 Chr. 20:14 Zechariah ‒ 2 Chr. 24:20 Ezekiel ‒ Ezek. 11:5 judges ‒ Jdgs. 3:10; 6:34; 11:29; 13:25; 14:6,19; 15:14,19 leaders Joshua ‒ Deut. 34:9 Saul ‒ 1 Sam. 10:6,10; 11:6 David ‒ 1 Sam. 16:13 Cyrus ‒ 2 Chr. 36:22 Zerubbabel and Joshua ‒ Haggai 1:14 servants Saul's messengers ‒ 1 Sam. 19:20,23 David's men ‒ 1 Chr. 12:18 Suffering Servant Songs (i.e., Messianic) ‒ Isa. 11:2; 42:1; 59:21; 61:1 D A Carson - THE REIGN OF KING ASA of Judah is instructive on several fronts, and will occupy our attention both today (2 Chron. 14–15) and tomorrow. Asa’s long reign began with ten years of peace (2Ch 14:1), “for the LORD gave him rest” (2Ch 14:6). During this time Asa “commanded Judah to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, and to obey his laws and commands” (2Ch 14:4). The people sought the Lord, “and built and prospered” (2Ch 14:7). At the end of ten years, Asa faced the devastating power of the Cushite forces (from the upper Nile). Asa could not possibly have forgotten how his grandfather Rehoboam was subjugated by Shishak of Egypt (2 Chron. 12). Asa’s own conduct is exemplary, a foretaste of how his descendant Hezekiah would handle himself centuries later when he faced the Babylonians: he called on the Lord, frankly acknowledging his utter powerlessness against such forces. “Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast army. O LORD, you are our God; do not let man prevail against you” (2Ch 14:11). By whatever means (the text does not specify), the Lord answers, and Asa’s relatively tiny army crushes the Cushite host. Enter Azariah son of Oded, a prophet with a message of encouragement for Asa and for all Judah and Benjamin (2Ch 15:1–2). Reflecting on the terrible years of anarchy under the closing years of the judges and the opening years of the monarchy, when travel and trade were dangerous and when the Levites were not sufficiently disciplined and organized to teach the people, Azariah encourages king and people alike to seek the Lord, for “he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you” (2Ch 15:2). Such a message strengthens Asa’s resolve. He proceeds against the remaining idolatry in the land and pours resources into the maintenance of the temple. This is the covenant community, and under Asa it begins to act like one. “They sought God eagerly, and he was found by them. So the LORD gave them rest on every side” (2Ch 15:15) for a further quarter century, to the thirty-fifth year of Asa’s reign (2Ch 15:19). The “high places” were not removed (2Ch 15:17)—a residue of competition with the temple—but for the most part Asa was a straight arrow. We should not be embarrassed by the blessing of God on integrity and righteousness. Righteousness exalts a nation: it lifts it up and strengthens its hand. This is not merely a sociological inference: it is the way God has structured things, the way he providentially rules. Inversely, corruption attracts the wrath of God, and sooner or later will bring a nation down. (BORROW For the Love of God, Combined Edition, Volumes One and Two) James Smith - ASA’S FAITH AND FAILURE 2 CHRONICLES 14–16 “Belief’s fire, once in us, Makes all else mere stuff to show itself; We penetrate our life with such a glow As fire lends wood and iron.” —Browning. In these chapters we have a faithful biography of Asa. The features of his character, both good and bad, are equally prominent. In the Bible there is no touching up of the negative to give the photograph a more pleasing appearance. As an historian the Spirit of God knows nothing of the art of flattery. As a man is in his heart so is he before God. The life of Asa is full of encouragement and warning to us. We observe his— I. Good Character. “Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God” (chap. 14:2). This was a noble start. He refused to be guided by the light of his own eyes, or by the opinions and prejudices of others. It is a good thing to remember that the eyes of the Lord are ever in search of those whose hearts are right with Him, that He might show Himself strong in their behalf (chap. 16:9). Right thinking will lead to right acting, and God’s strength is on the side of the righteous. Asa not only “broke down the images,” he also “commanded Judah to seek the Lord God of their fathers.” It is not enough to put away the wrong. We must seek the right. To give up our idols will avail us nothing unless we turn to God (1 Thess. 1:9). II. Great Faith. Asa’s faith was put to the test when his army of 580,000 was met by 1,000,000 Ethiopians and 300 chariots, but it stood the test. “Asa cried unto the Lord his God, and said, Lord, it is nothing with Thee to help, whether with many or with them that have no power. We rest on Thee, and in Thy Name we go against this multitude” (2Ch 14:11, 12). He looks upon the many as nothing, but the “help of God” as everything. To have God’s help is to get an almighty lift. The way to secure His help is to “rest on Him,” and go in His Name. This is the work of faith, and faith gains the day, for the “Lord smote the Ethiopians before Asa.” He did it, for Asa rested on Him, and trusted in His Name to do it. “This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” III. Timely Warning. “The Spirit of God came upon Azariah, and he went out to meet Asa, and said, Hear ye me, Asa, the Lord is with you while ye be with Him … Be ye strong therefore, … for your work shall be rewarded” (2Ch 15:1–7). This is emphatically a Spirit-inspired message. Why did it come to Asa immediately after his great victory of faith? Because the Spirit of God knew that at that moment there was a danger of him being lifted up with pride, and of falling back into a state of self-confidence. Oh, how anxious the Holy Spirit still is to maintain our faith in God, that His Name might be honoured by doing great things for us! “If thou wouldst believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God” (John 11:40). Take heed how you hear. IV. Mighty Influence. “They fell to him out of Israel in abundance, when they saw that the Lord his God was with him” (2Ch 15:9). Many strangers from the kingdom of Israel joined the ranks of the king of Judah when they saw that God was on his side. Those who gain victories by faith are the most influential of all leaders. All are not born leaders. Many are ready to follow a tune who could never raise it. But the supernatural element must be self-evident in the divinely appointed leader. “My sheep,” says Christ, “hear My voice, and they follow Me.” Are there not many who would fall out of the kingdom of darkness to-day if they could but see that the Lord our God is with us? Not with us in theory, but in mighty conquering deeds. Asa’s influence was not only attractive, but it was most effectual in turning the whole heart of Judah unto the Lord (2Ch 15:12–14). He constrained them to seek the Lord until “He was found of them.” He used his great influence for the best of all purposes—to bring men to God. V. Sudden Failure. When “Baasha, king of Israel, came up against Judah … Asa brought out silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of the Lord, and sent them to Ben-hadad king of Syria” (2Ch 16:1–4). This was a bribe sent to the king of Syria to help him against the king of Judah. Has he forgotten already that Spirit-inspired message of Azariah? (2Ch 15:1, 2). Where is his faith now? He began in the spirit. Is he going to end in the flesh? His present unbelief leads him to desecrate the things of God (2Ch 15:18). When in his greater trouble with the Ethiopian host he cried unto the Lord and rested on Him, but this is not such a formidable affair, so he thinks to manage it by his own skill and stratagem. God is ignored, and Asa has fallen from grace. Our greatest dangers do not always lie in our greatest temptations, for when we are made conscious of our own helplessness in the face of a great trial, we fortify ourselves by leaning upon God. It is thinking ourselves wise enough and strong enough for the petty occasion that our greatest danger lies. “In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct thy paths” (Prov. 3:6). VI. Rebellious Attitude. When Hanani the seer rebuked Asa “because he had relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the Lord his God,” Asa, we read, “was wroth with the seer, and put him in a prison house, for he was in a rage with him because of this thing” (2Ch 16:7–10). It is an infallible sign of backsliding when a man gets into a rage at the seer of God because he tells him the truth. Casting the man of vision into the prison does not make the vision any the less true. The man of faith will always be a seer, while the man of unbelief will always be blind. Asa makes no attempt to bribe the seer, but he attempts to bridle his lips. Instead of repenting his folly in putting his trust in an arm of flesh, he seeks to justify himself, even to the condemnation of the warning voice of God. To get beyond repentance is to get beyond the hope of recovery. “If we sin we have an Advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ the Righteous” (1 John 2:1). VII. Miserable End. “Asa … was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceedingly great, yet in his disease he sought not the Lord, but to the physicians” (2Ch 16:12). His sin lay not in seeking the help of the physicians, but in not seeking the help of the Lord. Had not his heart been diseased as well as his feet this sin would never have been laid to his charge. A physician may be a gift from God as much as a seer, but when we trust the gift instead of the Giver, we dishonour God, and expose ourselves to failure and death. It is a melancholy fact that this otherwise great and good man’s life is closed with these sorrowful words, “He sought not the Lord.” “Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor. 10:12). Remember the words of the son of Oded, “The Lord is with you while ye be with Him” (2Ch 15:2). 2 Chronicles 15:2 and he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Listen to me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: the LORD is with you when you are with Him. And if you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you. Listen to me: 2Ch 13:4 20:15,20 Jud 9:7 Ps 49:1,2 Isa 7:13 Mt 13:9 Rev 2:7,11,17 Rev 2:29 3:6,13,22 the LORD is with you: 2Ch 13:12 32:8 De 20:1 Jas 4:8 if ye seek him: 2Ch 15:4,15 33:12 Isa 55:6,7 Jer 29:12-14 Mt 7:7,8 if ye forsake: 2Ch 12:1-3 24:20 2Ki 21:14 1Ch 28:9 Ro 11:1,2 Heb 10:38 12:25 Related Passages: 1 Chronicles 28:9 “As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever. Jeremiah 29:13-14 ‘You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. 14 ‘I will be found by you,’ declares the LORD, ‘and I will restore your fortunes and will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you,’ declares the LORD, ‘and I will bring you back to the place from where I sent you into exile.’ Isaiah 55:6 Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. TWO CONDITIONS: "WHEN" AND "IF" Or one could title this verse "A Promise and a Warning." The positive and the negative! And he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Listen (shama;Lxx - akouo - aorist imperative) to me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin - What does the phrase And he went out to meet Asa imply? The question is where did he go out and when? Since 2Ch 15:1 begins with "now" (and continues from the end of the routing of the enemy in 2Ch 14:15) the context would support that King Asa is returning from just having experienced a miraculous victory over the Ethiopians. So as Asa returns to Jerusalem flush with victory, Azariah went out to meet him. Note that God through His mouthpiece Azariah is giving a clear command (in Lxx = aorist imperative = "Just do it!" "Do not delay!") The LORD is with you when you are with Him - This is a reciprocal, conditional covenant. The NT parallel is James 4:7-10+ (all 8 verbs in this quote are in the aorist imperative and call for one to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) "Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you." Notice God is not just instructing King Asa but all of Judah and Benjamin. In a sense Yahweh is calling for national revival, something 2025 America is in desperate need of! Send the winds of revival Lord God, for our good and Your glory. Amen. Recall 2Ch 7:14+ where Yahweh says IF "My people who are called by My Name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, THEN I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land. And if you seek (darash; Lxx - ekzeteo - exert effort to find) Him, He will let you find Him - Seeking is a keyword (or concept) in this chapter - see 2Ch 15:4, 12, 13, 15. Note that Jeremiah adds an important qualifier "when you search for Me with all your heart." (Jer 29:13) Keep in mind that Asa and his people when faced with overwhelming odds in Chapter 14 did in fact SEEK Jehovah and Jehovah let them find Him, they knew by personal experience that what Azariah stated was true. Indeed what they had experienced was the essence of Ps 46:1 "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." He had been their very present trouble against the Ethiopians. Dt 4:29+ is a prophecy yet to be completely fulfilled for Israel (it will be in Zech 12:10+) "But from there you will seek (baqas; Lxx = zeteo) the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you search (darash; Lxx = ekzeteo intense seeking) for Him with all your heart and all your soul." Persons only seek God after He has first been seeking them. W. Gustafson - Ever since the first parents of the human race sinned, God has been the prime seeker. God seeks individuals more than individuals seek Him. Romans 3:11 states, "There is none that seeketh after God". Persons only seek God after He has first been seeking them. The New Testament encourages people to seek God (Lk 13:24; Acts 17:27). Our Lord Jesus came to "seek and to save that which was lost" (Lk 19:10). He also states in John 4:23, "... the Father seeketh such to worship him". Of course we are then to seek Him. The Lord Jesus encourages us, in Matthew 6:33, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you", and in 7:7, "seek, and ye shall find". Christians are thankful that God "is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" (Heb 11:6). (What the Bible Teaches - 1 Chronicles and 2 Chronicles) But (term of contrast) if you forsake ('azab; Lxx - egkataleipo) Him, He will forsake ('azab; Lxx - egkataleipo) you - This portion of the message is a poignant warning against becoming lax in one's relationship with Yahweh. There is a striking contrast between seek and forsake. Both verbs call for a choice of one's will. God will not force you to seek Him, nor will He trick you to forsake Him. He desires us to seek Him with ALL our heart and soul and mind and strength and not just which our "lip service." Man with God, finds God with him. Man forsaking God, finds that he is forsaken of God. -- G Campbell Morgan David
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Utley points out that " These are the same words Moses spoke to Joshua ‒ Deut. 31:7,8,23, YHWH spoke to Joshua ‒ Josh. 1:6,7,9,18 and Joshua spoke to the people ‒ Josh. 10:25 Cyril
2 Crônicas 15
Utley summarizes Asa's reforms - 5:8-15 Asa acted to fix the spiritual malaise (this material is paralleled in 1 Kgs. 15:9-15). he removed the idols from the land, 2 Chr. 15:8 (cf. 1 Kgs. 15:12) he restored the sacrificial altar of the temple, 2 Chr. 15:8 he gathered all the faithful of both kingdoms to Jerusalem, 2 Chr. 15:9-10 they renewed their covenant with YHWH (i.e., an oath, 2 Chr. 15:12,14,15) took action against all who would not follow Him, 2 Chr. 15:13 (i.e., Ex. 22:20; Deut. 13:6-9; 17:2-7; one person's sin affects the whole, cf. Joshua 7; Rom. 5:12-21) he initiated a major worship event, 2 Chr. 15:14 YHWH responded with peace and security for him, 2 Chr. 15:15 he restored the dedicated things to the temple, 2 Chr. 15:18 (cf. 1 Kgs. 15:15) These reforms are very similar to those enacted by Hezekiah (cf. 2 Kings 16; 2 Chronicles 30). These verses show a terrible pattern of idolatry when compared to 2 Chr. 14:2-4. This idolatry was recurrent! David Guzik on the reformation efforts of Asa - Many well-meaning reformers accomplish little because they lack the courage to really stand for their godly convictions. We should notice that this took courage for King Asa to do. He had to combat against: · The entrenched interests in favor of idolatry. · The unseen spiritual forces in favor of idolatry. · The example of his predecessors and neighboring tribes to the north in favor of idolatry. · His own fleshly inclinations in favor of idolatry and compromise. · The lethargy of compromise and indifference that supports idolatry. Abominable idols (08251) shiqquts from the shaqats = to detest - Lev 11:11, 13, 43+, Lev 20:25+, Dt 7:26, Ps 22:24) means disgusting, filthy, detestable, detestable thing. Shiqquts is a generic term for anything that is reprehensible to Yahweh because of its nature or effects. It refers especially to an idol per se (Jer 16:18, 2 Ki 23:13, 24) or to practices associated with idolatry (especially in Ezekiel 5:11+, Ezek 7:20+, Ezek 11:18, 21+ which led to the departure of the Shekinah glory of God from His Temple - He will never share His glory with another so called god!). Shiqquts is the second most common Hebrew term for abominations - toebah being the most common word. Sad, isn't it, that God needed two words for abomination! Such is the depraved nature of our hearts! In one of the more incredible uses of this word in the OT we see the wisest man in the OT is described as "going after" the detestable idols (1Ki 11:5) and even building a high place for them (1Ki 11:7). Woe! Before you cast a stone read 1 Cor 10:12! Step Up! [Asa] took courage, and removed the abominable idols from all the land . . . ; and he restored the altar of the Lord. — 2 Chronicles 15:8 Today's Scripture & Insight: 2 Chronicles 15:1-12 When a woodchuck started eating our garage (well, just the trim), I bought a live trap with plans to transplant the little guy to a park. I baited it with an assortment of goodies and opened the trap door. The next morning, I was excited to see a little critter in my trap—until I noticed that it was no woodchuck. I had snared a skunk. I went online to see how to untrap the skunk without having it . . . well, you know. The solutions were extremely cautious in their descriptions of how to protect yourself while releasing the animal. Plastic bags. Gloves. Tarps. Blankets. Goggles. The task looked daunting and dangerous. Then my son-in-law Ewing stepped up. He simply walked over to the trap, opened the door, and coaxed our striped friend on its way with a few sprays from the garden hose. Sometimes our fears can lead to inaction. We worry so much about protecting ourselves that we fail to simply step up. When King Asa learned that the Lord wanted him to remove the idols from Israel, he “took courage” (2 Chron. 15:8). He could have had a rebellion on his hands for doing this. But he stepped up, and as a result the nation rejoiced (v.15). Let the road be rough and dreary, And its end far out of sight, Foot it bravely, strong or weary; Trust in God and do the right. —Macleod Courage is fear that has said its prayers. 2 Chronicles 15:9 He gathered all Judah and Benjamin and those from Ephraim, Manasseh and Simeon who resided with them, for many defected to him from Israel when they saw that the LORD his God was with him. who resided with them: 2Ch 11:16 30:1-11,25 defected: 1Ki 12:19 1Ch 12:19 when they saw that the LORD his God was with him.: Ge 39:3 1Sa 18:28 1Ki 3:28 Zec 8:21-23 Ac 7:9,10 9:31 Related Passages: Genesis 39:2-3, 21,23 (WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE LORD IS WITH A MAN) The LORD was with Joseph, so he became a successful man. And he was in the house of his master, the Egyptian. 3 Now his master saw that the LORD was with him and how the LORD caused all that he did to prosper in his hand. (THOUGHT- How good it is when saints have God with them to such an extent that even their unsaved employers can see it.)....21 But the LORD was with Joseph and extended kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer.....23 The chief jailer did not supervise anything under Joseph’s charge because the LORD was with him; and whatever he did, the LORD made to prosper. 1 Samuel 18:12, 14, 28-29+ Now Saul was afraid of David, for the LORD was with him but had departed from Saul....18:14 David was prospering in all his ways for the LORD was with him. 15 When Saul saw that he was prospering greatly, he dreaded him....28 When Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David, and that Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved him, then Saul was even more afraid of David. Thus Saul was David’s enemy continually. (THREE TIMES SAUL SAW LORD WAS WITH DAVID AND HE DREADED HIM.) SPIRITUAL MEN AND WOMEN DEFECTED FROM THE NORTHER He gathered all Judah and Benjamin and those from Ephraim, Manasseh and Simeon who resided with them, for many defected to him from Israel (northern kingdom) when they saw that the LORD his God was with him - This is a fascinating fact for in 722 BC the Assyrians took the 10 northern apostate tribes into exile, from which they did not return as did the exiles from Babylon in 586 BC. But here we see that there was a remnant (the text actually says "many") of spiritually attuned men and women from the some of the 10 northern tribes, for many defected. Clearly the members of these Northern tribes were not taken into captivity by Assyria. So in a sense the "Ten Lost Tribes" is not completely true, for not all were lost! When they saw that the LORD his God was with him - I love this phrase. What did they see? Asa's extirpation of evil images and restoration of right worship of Yahweh is what they saw (or had reports about), which in turn had a magnetic effect on those in the Northern 10 Tribes whose heart's desire was to seek the true God. THOUGHT - This attractive aspect of Asa reminds me of 2Co 2:14-16+ "But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things?" (cf 1Pe 3:15+) This begs the question are you giving off a fragrant aroma of Yeshua which pagans find attractive? Do others see that LORD Jesus is with you? Are there not many who would fall out of the kingdom of darkness today If they could but see that the Lord our God is with us? --James Smith Warren
2 Crônicas 15
Utley - This seems to be a clear statement but it is hard to reconcile with 1 Kgs. 15:16 and 2 Chronicles 16. There have been several proposed solutions. It refers to the splitting of the kingdom (see Edwin Thiele, The Mysterious Numbers of the Hebrew Kings, pp. 82-84, 198, 209). It was a theological way to assert YHWH's blessing. The NIV Study Bible suggests a change from 35th year to 25th year, and therefore, refers to the conflict with Baasha, King of Israel. For an attempt to reconcile these dates in Kings vs. Chronicles, see Gleason Archer, Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties, SEE PAGE 229. BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR 1-2 CHRONICLES NOTE: SOME CAN BE BORROWED FROM ARCHIVE.ORG Archer, Gleason L. Jr. A survey of Old Testament introduction (BORROW). Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1964. Baxter, J. Sidlow. Explore the Book Vol. 2 Judges to Esther . Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1960. Boda, Mark J. Cornerstone Biblical Commentary – 1-2 Chronicles. (Digital version) Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2010. Braun, Roddy. Word Biblical Commentary – Volume 14 –1 Chronicles (BORROW). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2018. Cooper, Derek. Reformation Commentary on Scripture – Old Testament V – 1-2 Samuel, 1-2 Kings, 1-2 Chronicles. (Digital version) Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2016. Constable, Thomas - 1&2 Chronicles (ONLINE) Daniel, Ron - Teaching Notes - 1 Chronicles; 2 Chronicles (ONLINE) Dillard, Raymond B. Word Biblical Commentary – Volume 15 – 2 Chronicles (BORROW) Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2018. Ellison, H. L. The New Bible commentary, revised – 1 & 2 Chronicles (BORROW). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1970. Guzik, David. Enduring Word Bible Commentary 1 Chronicles; 2 Chronicles (ONLINE) Hill, Andrew E. The NIV Application Commentary – 1 & 2 Chronicles. (Digital version) Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2003. Keil, C. F. and Delitzsch, F. Commentary on the Old Testament – 1 Chronicles & 2 Chronicles. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1975. Konkel, August H. Believers Church Bible Commentary – 1 & 2 Chronicles. (Multipart video series also available) Harrisonburg, VA: Herald Press, 2016. Mabie, Frederick J. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary Revised Edition – 1 & 2 Chronicles. (Digital Version) Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2010. MacArthur, John. The MacArthur Study Bible (BORROW). Nelson Bibles, 2006. Olley, John W. (ED: IAIN DUGUID) ESV Expository Commentary, Vol. III – 1 Samuel – 2 Chronicles. (Digital Version) Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2019. Payne, J. Barton. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary – 1 & 2 Chronicles. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1988. Schultz, John. - 1 Chronicles (177 pages), 2 Chronicles (239 pages) (ONLINE) Selman, Martin J. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries – 1 Chronicles. (BORROW)Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1994. Selman, Martin J. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries – 2 Chronicles. (BORROW) Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1994. Sherwin, Simon & Mabie, Frederick J. Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary -- 1 & 2 Chronicles. (Digital Version) Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2009. Thompson, J.A. The New American Commentary – Volume 9 – 1, 2 Chronicles. (Digital Version) Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group, 1994. Utley, Bob. 1 Chronicles Table of Contents; 2 Chronicles Table of Contents http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/old_testament_studies/VOL07BOT/VOL07BOT.html Walton, John, et al - The IVP Bible Background Commentary Old Testament IVP - InterVarsity Press 2000. Wiersbe, Warren W. Be Restored – Trusting God to See Us Through – OT Commentary – 2 Samuel & 1 Chronicles. (BORROW) Colorado Springs, CO: David C. Cook, 2010. Wiersbe, Warren W. Be Distinct – Standing Firmly Against the World’s Tides – OT Commentary – 2 Kings & 2 Chronicles. (BORROW) Colorado Springs, CO: David C. Cook, 2010. Williamson, H.G.M. New Century Bible Commentary – 1 and 2 Chronicles. Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock Publishers 1982. Wood, Leon. A Survey of Israel’s History. (BORROW) Grand Rapids: MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1970.