The Old Testament is filled with stories that continue to captivate our imaginations today. One of the stories is the story of Asa, a man who was king of two kingdoms. Asa was a great ruler and one of the most influential kings of Israel in the Bible.
Asa was born around 908 BCE in the kingdom of Judah. He was the son of Abijah, King of Judah, and the grandson of King Rehoboam, who was ruling over the Southern Kingdom of Judah. He ruled for 41 years, from 908-867 BCE, and his reign was considered to be a period of blessed peace and great prosperity. His first act as king was to rid the land of idol worship that had been prevalent in previous reigns.
Asa was a strong and wise ruler and was beloved by the people of Judah. He reestablished the worship of Jehovah, and restored the nation’s spiritual life, creating a unified worship of the one true God. He eradicated Baal worship and set about to restore the nation’s spiritual life. He also made war with the kingdom of Israel, leading an army of three hundred thousand men. He was victorious in this conflict and the kingdom was brought back under submission to God.
Asa was a man of great faith, believing that the LORD would deliver him from his enemies if he followed God’s laws and kept his promises. He did this faithfully, which is why he was so beloved by the people of Judah. He also made great economic reforms, reducing taxation and encouraging foreign trade, which further contributed to the prosperity of the people. Asa’s reign was such a success, that Scripture calls him one of the two best kings of Judah, who was “wholeheartedly devoted to the Lord all his life”.
Asa’s military success and reforms did not come without a cost, however. Because of his faith in the LORD, Asa received warnings from the prophet Hanani, which resulted in a decrease of his favor with God. Asa’s response was to imprison Hanani, and also to close off Judah from the LORD. This caused God to be angry with Asa and he afflicted him with disease in his feet. Still, despite these setbacks, Asa remained king of Judah until his death in 867 BCE.
Asa was a remarkable leader and servant of God and one of the greatest kings of the Old Testament. His reign was filled with peace, prosperity, and faithfulness to the one true God. He set an example for future generations of what true devotion to the Lord looks like, and his influence continues to shape many modern believers today.
Abijah and the Scheme to Steal the Throne of Judah
Asa’s father, Abijah, was a usurper who sought to overthrow and take the throne of Judah from Rehoboam, Asa’s grandfather. Abijah came up with a scheme to get thePeople of Judah on his side. He lied to them, claiming that God had chosen him as king, and that any opposition would be going against the will of God. He leveraged this message to build up his forces and win out against Rehoboam. Asa was not involved in this scheme, but he certainly did become the beneficiary.
Abijah was successful in his endeavor, and he became king of Judah after the death of Rehoboam. Abijah only reigned for three years, soon after Asa ascended the throne. Scholars generally agree that Asa was named in honor of his father’s success, as the name of Asa translates to “the LORD has made me victorious”.
In his three years on the throne, Abijah fought two fierce battles against the northern kingdom. He was successful in battle and brought much of the land back under Judah’s control. When Abijah died, it was natural for Asa to become the king, as he was the rightful heir to the throne.
Significant Contributions of Asa
Asa’s contribution to the kingdom of Judah was enormous. He made reforms to restore the kingdom’s spiritual life; he eradicated idolatry and intolerance, and he reinstated a unified worship of God. He made war with the kingdom of Israel and was victorious in this conflict, restoring the kingdom back under submission to God. His economic reforms decreased taxation and encouraged foreign trade, which contributed to the prosperity of the people. Asa remained king of Judah until his death in 867 BCE.
Asa was also a significant figure in Biblical history as he was one of the two kings of Judah who was “wholeheartedly devoted to the Lord all his life” according to Scripture. The other was Jehoshaphat. Asa was thus viewed as a faithful servant of God whose example could be followed by later generations. He was a great example of faithfulness and submission to God, which inspired the people of Judah and the people of the Old Testament.
Asa is an important figure in the Bible and in the history of the Middle East. His influence was felt throughout the region and he was highly respected as a king and leader. He was known for his faithfulness and devotion to God, and his example can still be found in the lives of many believers today.
Conflicts With Baasha and Israel
Asa fought a long war against Baasha, King of Israel. This was a difficult conflict and Asa was not always victorious. He lost some territories to Israel and even had to pay tribute to Baasha. Eventually, however, Asa was successful in driving the Israelites out of the former kingdom of Judah, thus restoring the kingdom to its original boundaries.
The other major conflict Asa was involved in was the war against the northern kingdom of Israel. Asa led an army of three hundred thousand men and was successful in this battle, bringing back the kingdom to submission under God. He also made reforms that lead to a unified worship of the one true God.
This conflict with Israel was important for the kingdom of Judah, and it was a major steppingstone for Asa’s rule. It established a strong and unified kingdom, ready to face any future challenges.
Asa’s Death and Legacy
Asa died in 867 BCE, at the age of 61. He died of a disease in his feet, which is commonly thought to have been caused by his disobedience to God. He had chosen to close Judah off from the LORD and imprison Hanani, the prophet, after he had warned Asa that God was angry with him.
Despite this setback, Asa is remembered as a great leader and an example of faithfulness and obedience to God. He is remembered as one of the two best kings, who were “wholeheartedly devoted to the Lord all his life,” according to Scripture. He was a wise, strong and faithful ruler beloved by the people of Judah and his example is still inspiring believers today.
The Legacy and Teachings of Asa
Asa set an important example for later generations in terms of faithfulness, submission and devotion to the one true God. He was a faithful ruler and was beloved by the people of Judah. His reforms and actions have been remembered, and his example is still inspiring believers today.
Asa’s reign was also important historically, as it marked a period of great peace and prosperity in the region. He had established a unified kingdom ready to face any future challenges, and his faith in the LORD was an inspiration to his people.
The main lesson we can learn from Asa is the importance of faithfulness and obedience to God. Asa was a faithful king and servant of God, and his example still speaks to us today. He set an example of righteousness and devotion to God that should be followed by all believers.
Conclusion
Asa was an influential king of Judah who reigned during a time of blessed peace and great prosperity. He was a righteous and faithful servant of God, setting an example of obedience and faithfulness for those who followed. His reign was remembered long after his death as he made substantial contributions to the kingdom of Judah. His legacy and teachings still have a powerful impact on us today, and he is remembered as one of the two best kings of the Old Testament.
