2 Chronicles 15:8 - Meaning and Application

We are told here what good effect the earlier sermon had on Asa. First, it made him bolder for God than he had been before. His victory had already stirred him to greater courage, but God’s message gave him even more strength. Now he took courage, saw how much more reform was needed, and knew God would be with him in it. That gave him boldness to push through what had once scared him off.

He went on to destroy all the hateful idols, and all idolatry is hateful to God (1 Peter 4:3). He also repaired the altar of the Lord, which, it seems, had fallen into disrepair, even though Solomon had built it only about thirty-five years earlier. So quickly these outward worship arrangements began to fade, as things that were meant to pass away in time (Hebrews 8:13).

Asa also widened his influence, as we see in 2 Chronicles 15:9. He called a solemn meeting and especially brought in the strangers who had come to him from the ten tribes. Their coming encouraged him, because they had seen that the Lord his God was with him. It is good to be among people who have God with them, and to build friendship with those who live in the fear and favor of God. “We will go with you, because we have heard that God is with you” (Zechariah 8:23).

At the same time, Asa’s notice of these strangers and his welcome to the assembly encouraged them too. All strangers should be helped, but those who have left everything to keep a good conscience and trust God’s care deserve special honor. Asa ordered them to be gathered, yet the text says they gathered themselves together, showing how willing they were to obey his command. This meeting likely took place in the third month, probably during the feast of Pentecost.

Then Asa and his people offered sacrifices to God, as a share of the spoil they had taken (2 Chronicles 15:11). Their offering was much smaller than Solomon’s had been (2 Chronicles 7:5), which may show less zeal, less wealth, or both. These sacrifices were meant to give thanks for past mercy and to ask for more. Our prayers and praises are now our spiritual sacrifices. And just as Asa cared that the altar had its gift, he also made sure the temple had its gold, bringing in all the dedicated things to the house of God (2 Chronicles 15:18). It is honesty to give God what belongs to him.

What had long been intended for God, and perhaps long set aside for him, should not be delayed forever. Will a man rob God, or keep back payment from one who is always ready to do good to us? Asa and the people also entered into a covenant with God. They were sorry that they had broken their earlier promises and resolved to do better. It is right for penitent people, and for those turning to God, to renew their covenant with him. It seems the people themselves suggested it, not Asa. Anyone who covenants with God should do it willingly, “Your people will be willing” (Psalm 110:3).

The covenant itself added nothing new to what they already owed. No promise of theirs could raise their duty above God’s command. But it would help them feel that duty more deeply, strengthen them against temptation, and show that God’s commands are good and fair. By joining together in this covenant, they also helped one another stand firm. They agreed on two things. First, they would diligently seek God themselves, seek his commands, and seek his favor. Religion is really about seeking God, inquiring after him, and coming to him in every need. We will not fully enjoy him until heaven, so here we must keep seeking him.

They would seek God as the God of their fathers, in the way their fathers had sought him, and trusting the promise made to their fathers. They would do it with all their heart and soul, because only those who seek God inwardly, earnestly, and wholly seek him well. Religion means nothing if it is not heart-work. God wants the whole heart, or nothing. And when the treasure is as great as God’s favor, it is worth seeking with all our soul.

Second, they agreed to use all their power to lead others to seek him (2 Chronicles 15:13). They said that anyone who would not seek the Lord God of Israel, whether by worshiping false gods or by refusing to join in the worship of the true God, should be put to death. This was not a new law they made themselves. It was an order to carry out God’s own law for such cases (Deuteronomy 17:2). If that law had been properly enforced, there would not have been so many hateful idols left in Judah and Benjamin (2 Chronicles 15:8). Whether people today, under the gospel, may be forced by such means to seek the Lord is rightly questioned, since our warfare is not fought with human weapons, though it is still powerful.

They made this covenant with great cheer and with every sign of joy. They swore to the Lord openly, not in secret, as if ashamed or afraid to bind themselves too firmly to him. They did it with a loud voice, to show their zeal and encourage one another, and they all rejoiced at the oath (2 Chronicles 15:14, 15). They were not swearing like a debtor forced to confess judgment, but like a bridegroom gladly pledging himself in marriage. Every honest Israelite was glad about his own commitment to God, and glad for the others too.

They saw this as a hopeful way to keep from turning away from God again, and as a sign that God was with them. Times of renewing our covenant with God should be times of joy, and national reform should bring satisfaction to all who are good. It is an honor and a happiness to be bound to God. They also did it with deep sincerity, zeal, and determination. They swore to God with all their hearts and sought him with all their desire. The Israelites were in a very good frame of heart then. If only they had always had such a heart. That is why they rejoiced so much, because they meant it. Only those who are sincere and upright in religion really know its joy and comfort. What is done in hypocrisy is only wearisome labor, but if God has the heart, we have the joy.

We are told what this solemn covenant with God did for them. First, God did good to them. He was found by them, and he gave them rest all around (2 Chronicles 15:15), so that there was no war for a long time afterward (2 Chronicles 15:19). There was no open, full-scale war, even though there were still constant border troubles between Judah and Israel (1 Kings 15:16). When a nation turns to God, God often gives that nation public blessings.

Second, they, in the main, did well for God. They pushed the reform far enough to remove Maacah, the queen mother, because of her idolatry, and they destroyed her idol (2 Chronicles 15:16). Asa did bravely here. He would not excuse idolatry in someone so close to him. Like Levi, who said of his father and mother, "I have not seen him" (Deuteronomy 33:9), Asa knew he must honor God more than his grandmother.

He did not dare leave an idol in one room of his palace while he was tearing down idols in the cities of his kingdom. We may think Maacah had become convinced of her sin and was willing to join the covenant spoken of in (2 Chronicles 15:12, 2 Chronicles 15:13), promising to seek the Lord. If so, that is why she was not killed like those who refused to sign it, whether they were great or small, men or women. It was likely because of her that women were named in that covenant.

Still, because she had been an idolater, Asa thought it right to take away her rank and power. He probably sent her away from the court and kept her in private life, so she would not influence or corrupt others. Even so, the reform was not complete. The high places were not all removed, though many of them were (2 Chronicles 14:3, 2 Chronicles 14:5).

The high places in the cities were taken away, but not all in Judah were removed, or perhaps not those that had been used for the worship of false gods, only some were. Others may have remained where people still used them for the worship of the God of Israel. Asa allowed these things, and yet his heart was still fully devoted to God. A person may fail in some duties and still have an upright heart before God. Sincerity is less than perfect sinlessness.