Learning from Asa’s Mistakes: A Coptic Orthodox Commentary on 2 Chronicles 16

Executive Summary

2 Chronicles 16 recounts the tragic tale of King Asa, whose reign began with faithfulness but ended in reliance on worldly alliances rather than divine providence. Initially, Asa purged idolatry and sought the Lord, leading to a period of peace and prosperity. However, when threatened by Baasha, King of Israel, Asa compromised his faith by bribing Ben-Hadad, King of Aram, to break his treaty with Israel. This act displeased God, and the prophet Hanani rebuked Asa. Asa, instead of repenting, imprisoned Hanani and oppressed some of the people. In his later years, Asa suffered from a foot disease but sought physicians instead of the Lord. This chapter serves as a cautionary narrative, emphasizing the importance of unwavering faith and the dangers of seeking temporal solutions over spiritual reliance on God. It highlights that even those who start well can stumble, and that true healing comes from the Lord, not earthly remedies. A critical study in understanding the path of spiritual reliance.

This chapter presents a stark contrast between Asa’s early piety and his later deviation. We witness the consequences of prioritizing political expediency over faith in God. Let’s delve into each verse, drawing out valuable spiritual lessons for our lives today.

Commentary on 2 Chronicles 16

2 Chronicles 16:1 (KJV)

“In the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah, and built Ramah, to the intent that he might let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.”

📜 Original Hebrew: וּבִשְׁנַת שְׁלֹשִׁים וְשֵׁשׁ לְמַלְכוּת אָסָא עָלָה בַעְשָׁא מֶלֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל עַל־יְהוּדָה וַיִּבֶן אֶת־הָרָמָה לְבִלְתִּי תֵּת יוֹצֵא וָבָא לְאָסָא מֶלֶךְ יְהוּדָה׃

Baasha’s fortification of Ramah, a city strategically located north of Jerusalem, was a direct threat to Asa’s kingdom. It aimed to economically isolate Judah, preventing trade and movement. This act created a sense of fear and vulnerability within Judah. Spiritually, this mirrors the attacks we face from the enemy, attempting to isolate us from God’s grace and the fellowship of believers. We must always be vigilant against such attempts, clinging to prayer and the sacraments.

Spiritual application: Be wary of the “Ramahs” in your life – anything that isolates you from God and His people. 💡

2 Chronicles 16:2-3 (KJV)

“Then Asa brought out silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of the Lord and of the king’s house, and sent to Ben-hadad king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying, There is a league between me and thee, as there was between my father and thy father: behold, I have sent thee silver and gold; go, break thy league with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me.”

Asa, instead of seeking divine help, resorted to a political solution. He bribed Ben-Hadad, the King of Aram (Syria), to break his treaty with Baasha. This reveals a lack of trust in God’s ability to deliver him. He prioritized a quick, tangible solution over seeking God’s guidance through prayer and repentance. In the Coptic Orthodox tradition, we understand that true victory comes through faith and divine intervention, not through worldly maneuvering. St. Athanasius reminds us: “Οὐ γὰρ ἐν ὅπλοις ἡ νίκη, ἀλλ’ ἐν τῇ δυνάμει τοῦ Θεοῦ.” (Ou gar en hoplois hē nikē, all’ en tē dynamei tou Theou) – “For victory is not in weapons, but in the power of God.” (Athanasius, *Against the Heathen*, 36)

Spiritual application: Don’t sacrifice your faith for a quick fix. Trust in God’s power, even when the situation seems impossible. Consider the ethical implications of your solutions. When facing challenges consider our services for guidance.

2 Chronicles 16:4-6 (KJV)

“And Ben-hadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel; and they smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abel-maim, and all the store cities of Naphtali. And it came to pass, when Baasha heard it, that he left off building of Ramah, and let his work cease. Then Asa the king took all Judah: and they carried away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha was building; and he built therewith Geba and Mizpah.”

Ben-Hadad, motivated by the bribe, attacked Israel, forcing Baasha to abandon Ramah. Asa then used the materials from Ramah to fortify Geba and Mizpah. While Asa achieved his immediate goal, this victory was tainted by his reliance on worldly alliances. He traded divine favor for a temporary political advantage. These cities became important strategic locations in Judah, now better defended thanks to Asa’s actions. In our lives, sometimes we might gain temporary advantages through questionable means, but the long-term consequences can be detrimental to our spiritual well-being.

Spiritual application: True victories are those that honor God and are achieved through righteous means. Don’t compromise your integrity for short-term gains. ✨

2 Chronicles 16:7-10 (KJV)

“And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the Lord thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand. Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubims a huge host, with very many chariots and horsemen? yet, because thou didst rely on the Lord, he delivered them into thine hand. For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars. Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in a prison house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa oppressed some of the people the same time.”

The prophet Hanani rebukes Asa for his lack of faith, reminding him of God’s past deliverance from the Ethiopians and Libyans (Cushites and Libyans). The Lord is always ready to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. Asa’s reaction to the rebuke is even more disheartening. He imprisons the prophet, demonstrating a profound spiritual blindness and a hardening of his heart. He also begins oppressing the people. This shows a complete departure from his earlier righteous leadership. St. Anthony the Great teaches: “Γνῶσις ἀληθὴς τὸ ἐπίγνωσις τῆς ἰδίας ἀσθενείας.” (Gnōsis alēthēs to epignōsis tēs idias astheneias) – “True knowledge is the knowledge of one’s own weakness.” (St. Anthony the Great, *Sayings of the Desert Fathers*)

Spiritual application: Embrace correction and rebuke as opportunities for growth. A humble heart is open to learning and repentance. Avoid pride, which can lead to spiritual blindness.🕊️

2 Chronicles 16:11-14 (KJV)

“And, behold, the acts of Asa, first and last, lo, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the Lord, but to the physicians. And Asa slept with his fathers, and died in the one and fortieth year of his reign. And they buried him in his own sepulchres, which he had made for himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odours and divers kinds of spices prepared by the apothecaries; and they made a very great burning for him.”

Asa’s final years were marked by illness. Tragically, even in his suffering, he turned to physicians rather than seeking the Lord’s healing. While seeking medical help is not inherently wrong, Asa’s exclusive reliance on it demonstrates a continued lack of faith. His burial, elaborate as it was, could not compensate for his spiritual failings. The reference to “sweet odours and divers kinds of spices” reflects ancient burial customs and the desire to honor the deceased, but ultimately, it highlights the emptiness of earthly rituals without true faith. From a scientific perspective, his ailment could have been gout or another disease that we can easily diagnose today. But what is most important is his spiritual condition. We must always remember that physical healing is a gift from God and that true healing often begins with spiritual restoration. As the Book of Tobit states, “For he wounds, and heals; he smites, and makes alive; he brings down to Sheol, and raises up.” (Tobit 13:2)

Spiritual application: In times of sickness, seek God’s healing power first and foremost. Remember that true healing encompasses both the body and the soul. 📖

Key Reflections on Asa’s Reign

Asa’s story offers several important reflections for our spiritual journey:

• The Importance of Perseverance: Asa started strong but faltered. Maintaining faith requires constant vigilance.
• The Danger of Compromise: Seeking worldly solutions can lead to spiritual decline.
• The Gift of Reproof: Embrace correction as an opportunity for growth.
• The Source of True Healing: God is the ultimate healer of both body and soul.
• The Futility of Earthly Glory: External honors cannot compensate for spiritual failings.
• Spiritual Reliance: Prioritize God above political expediency and seek divine guidance through prayer.

FAQ ❓

Here are some frequently asked questions about Asa’s reign and its spiritual implications:

Q: Why was Asa’s reliance on the King of Syria considered a sin?
A: Asa’s actions demonstrated a lack of faith in God’s ability to protect him. He trusted in a foreign power rather than seeking divine intervention, which contradicted his earlier commitment to the Lord.

Q: What can we learn from Asa’s reaction to the prophet Hanani?
A: Asa’s anger and imprisonment of Hanani highlight the dangers of pride and a refusal to accept correction. It serves as a warning to be humble and receptive to God’s messengers.

Q: How does Asa’s story relate to our lives today?
A: Asa’s experiences remind us of the importance of unwavering faith, the dangers of compromise, and the need to seek God’s guidance in all aspects of our lives, not just in times of crisis.

Q: Is it wrong to seek medical help when we are sick?
A: No, seeking medical help is not inherently wrong. However, Asa’s example teaches us that we should not rely solely on earthly remedies but should also seek God’s healing and guidance.

Conclusion

The story of Asa in 2 Chronicles 16 is a poignant reminder of the fragility of faith and the importance of unwavering trust in God. Though Asa began his reign with righteousness, he succumbed to the temptation of seeking worldly solutions over divine guidance, ultimately leading to his spiritual decline. We must learn from Asa’s mistakes, prioritizing prayer, repentance, and obedience to God’s will above all else. By doing so, we can avoid the pitfalls of compromise and remain steadfast in our commitment to Christ. Let us strive for true spiritual reliance, seeking God’s strength in every circumstance and trusting in His ultimate plan for our lives. Let the echoes of Asa’s story resonate, calling us to a deeper, more unwavering faith, remembering the words of St. Paul: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

Tags

Asa, 2 Chronicles, Old Testament, Bible Commentary, Coptic Orthodox, Faith, Repentance, Spiritual Warfare, Trust in God, King Asa

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Explore a Coptic Orthodox commentary on 2 Chronicles 16, examining Asa’s alliance with Aram and his spiritual decline. Learn the importance of unwavering faith and spiritual reliance.