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2 Chronicles 16:11 Finish well - Day 348

Good afternoon brothers and sisters,

One of the verses I have memorized in 16:9 under the topic Presence of God.  The context puts this truth in a little different light.  God uses a lack of trust by King Asa to illustrate this truth.  While Prov 15:3 is similar and Asa should have know it, his lack of trust shows it has to be in the heart, not just in the head.

Blessings,

Jeff  

The poor sad finish of a king who started so well. Thirty five good years ended by six bad years. The author wants to use each king's story as an example to the returning exiles. We are told in  1 Corinthians 10:6  Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. While Paul was using the Exodus story, the principle applies to the whole Old Testament. The author of Chronicles is doing the same thing for the Jews returning from exile. 

So what are the lessons to be learned from King Asa?

God can and does use disease as discipline for sinful actions and attitudes. Failing to depend on God in the matter of invasion by Israel was where Asa had gone astray.  The disease in his feet was an opportunity to change his ways.  However, he clung to trusting physicians.

However, This does not mean that all disease is discipline.  One example does not make this a universal principle.  The man born blind is an example where a physical limitation was for God's glory to be displayed in healing.  Nor does it mean that going to a doctor is inherently wrong.  God can and does heal through human means.

The heart is the real issue.  Asa's response to the words of the prophet show that choice to hire the Syrians to solve the invasion by Israel was not just bad judgment.  David's repentance when confronted by Nathan is the model.  To "double down" after a mistake is far worse as it shows the heart condition.

So I can just imagine the author telling his readers "remember, be like King Asa in his first 35 years and not like him in this last 6 years"

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