Pointing to Jesus. 2 Chronicles 15.1-15
Jesus throughout the Scriptures: Samuel-Chronicles (6)
Pray Psalm 105.8-11, 45.
He remembers His covenant forever,
The word which He commanded, for a thousand generations,
The covenant which He made with Abraham,
And His oath to Isaac,
And confirmed it to Jacob for a statute,
To Israel as an everlasting covenant,
Saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan
As the allotment of your inheritance,”…
That they might observe His statutes
And keep His laws.
Praise the LORD!
Sing Psalm 105.8-11, 45.
(Warrington: Give to Our God Immortal Praise)
He will His covenant faithfully guard—His oath, the promise of His Word.
That which He to our fathers swore, He will perform forevermore!
So let us all in our Savior confide, and in His holy Law abide.
Let us observe His glorious Word, and praise our sovereign, faithful LORD!
Read 2 Chronicles 15.1-15; meditate on verses 1, 2, and 12.
Preparation
1. What did the prophet command Asa to do?
2. How did he and the people respond?
Meditation
Asa begins a string of mostly good kings in Judah, while the nation of Israel continued following wicked kings as they cycled ever downward toward captivity in Assyria.
In this passage we hear language we have heard before in our study: “be strong”, “took courage”, “entered a covenant”, and so forth. Clearly, under the leadership of the prophet Azariah, Judah is getting back on track with the Lord following the disastrous reigns of Rehoboam and Abijam. It will still be an up and down experience until, finally, even Judah succumbs to sinfulness and is carried away captive to Babylon. But for now, these good kings remind us of what God requires of His people and point us forward to the coming of Jesus.
While the books of 1 and 2 Kings give a running history of both Israel and Judah, 1 and 2 Chronicles—written perhaps later than 1 and 2 Kings—concentrate only on Judah. The nation and tribe of Judah are clearly ascendant following the division of the tribes under Rehoboam. The focus for the remainder of the Old Testament—some minor prophets excepted—is on Judah. The future is in Judah. And the future will be from Judah, when Jesus comes to claim the throne of David and to inaugurate the Kingdom of God.
In Judah under the good kings we see the sort of reformation that believers in Jesus seek: Removing all idols, returning to true worship, renewing covenant with the Lord, seeking Him with all our heart, enjoying the rest and peace of the Lord. Again, such periods were episodic, even in Judah under the best kings. But with Jesus, these become the permanent attributes of those who have a new heart and in whom the Spirit of God dwells.
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
“But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes,
things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner.
For God is not unjust to forget your work and love
which you have shown toward His Name,
in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence
to the full assurance of hope until the end,
that you do not become sluggish,
but imitate those who through faith and patience
inherit the promises” (Heb. 6.9-12).
“As the Father loved Me,
I also have loved you;
abide in My love.
If you keep My commandments,
you will abide in My love,
just as I have kept My Father’s commandments
and abide in His love.
These things I have spoken to you,
that My joy may remain in you,
and that your joy may be full” (Jn. 15.9-11).
“Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin [and those who are afar off—Eph. 2.17].
The LORD is with you while you are with Him.
If you seek Him, He will be found by you;
but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you” (2 Chron. 15.2).
“Seek the LORD while He may be found,
call upon Him while He is near” (Is. 55.6).
“When You said, ‘Seek My face,’
my heart said to You, ‘Your face, LORD, I will seek’” (Ps. 27.8).
“For everyone who asks receives,
and he who seeks finds,
and to him who knocks it will be opened” (Matt. 7.8).
“But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness,
and all these things shall be added to you” (Matt. 6.33).
For we have sworn with all our heart
and sought Him with all our soul.
And He was found by us—and the LORD gave us rest (2 Chron. 15.15).
He gave us Jesus.
Reflection
1. What are the best ways to make sure you don’t forsake the Lord when temptations arise?
2. How would you counsel a new believer to seek the Lord each day?
3. How will you use tomorrow to rest in the Lord and be renewed for the week to come?
What is religion but seeking God, inquiring after him, applying to him upon all occasions? We make nothing of our religion, if we do not make heart-work of it; God will have all the heart, or none. Our devotedness to God our Savior, should be avowed and shown in the most solemn and public manner. Matthew Henry (1662-1714), Commentary on 2 Chronicles 15
Pray Psalm 105.1-7.
Thank God for choosing, creating, keeping, saving, and sanctifying you. Commit yourself to sharing His deeds and love with others today. Be specific.
Sing Psalm 105.1-7.
(Warrington: Give to Our God Immortal Praise)
Give thanks unto the LORD Most High; call on His Name, before Him cry!
Make known His deeds in every land; sing praise for all the works of His hand.
Glory in God, rejoice in heart, all you who seek His holy part.
Him and His strength and Presence seek; His works proclaim, His judgments speak.
You holy children of Abraham, you chosen ones of Jacob, stand!
He is our LORD, of wondrous worth; His judgments are in all the earth.
T. M. and Susie Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
