Sermon notes
The solution that Asa found to his dilemma when attacked by Baasha is recorded in v2-3. In doing this he adopted a plan that is commonly put into action by many Christians even today.
The gospel is a treasure which He commits to the stewardship of His people. Cp 2Cor 4:7, 1Tim 6:20. Asa acts to plunder the treasures that had been stockpiled in the Temple. He does so as an easy solution to the attack made upon him by the forces of apostasy in Israel. These treasures were easily paid away but at what a cost!
We stand today as beneficiaries of the Reformation. That move of God brought in incalculable resources into the cause of the gospel. What wealth in terms of doctrine, theology, exposition of the Scriptures, the knowledge of God etc. And yet many who have benefitted from this great legacy are bartering it away through compromise with apostasy.
I THE ATTACK OF BAASHA TRIGGERED HIS ACTIONS.
- Apostasy at work. Apostasy has been at work within the visible cause of God in Israel. Baasha is the current representative of that departure. Cp 1Kings 15:33-34, 16:2, 7. The forces of apostasy now become aggressive towards Asa and his kingdom which continued to represent faithfulness to God and the true worship of God. Asa finds himself encroached on by rampant wickedness.
- He opts not to confront it. Just a year or so previously, when threatened by the Ethiopians, Asa rose to confront them, 14:10. The spirit of war is absent on this occasion. Rather, he adopts other passive means to deal with the situation. Cp Jer 42:9.
- A wicked alliance, v3. He goes further and makes an alliance with the heathen represented by the Syrian King and his army. When good men are not prepared to fight apostasy inevitably they end in an alliance with the wicked.
II THE HOUSE OF GOD IS PLUNDERED TO PAY FOR THIS POLICY.
- Cost, v2. The plan that Asa adopts costs the cause of God. The house of God is impoverished immediately. The cost is also seen in his own house. What impoverishment results from a policy of appeasement toward apostasy.
- Lost out on victory, v7. He would never be able to defeat the enemy he had entered a league with! This was an additional aspect of the cost Asa incurred by his actions. He cost the kingdom this triumph over her enemies. He may be said to have because of this cost further future enrichment of God’s house that such a victory would have produced.
- Reversal. He ‘inherited’ a temple that was liberally endowed through the devotion and victory of former days. Cp 2Sam 8:11, 1Kings 7:51, 1Chron 26:26-28. The gospel treasure hardly won by previous generations of saints can be easily bartered away. Asa’s actions are in direct contrast to the spirit of devotion and sacrifice that had even stirred him to enrich the house of God himself. Cp 1Kings 15:11-15, 18. How quickly such a turn-a-round can occur!
III REBUKED BY GOD.
The man of God brings a rebuke from God to the King. Hanani must preach against the actions of the man who just the year before had led a time of national revival!
- A success, apparently. From a political perspective Asa’s plan worked. Baasha was thwarted and his blockade lifted. He secured relief from the assault of his enemies.
- Unbelief. He had not leaned on God, v7. His heart was not perfect toward the Lord at this point as it had been earlier!
- Emphasis, v8-9. The readiness of the Lord to help in this situation is underscored.
- Wars, v9. Increased conflict would be the outcome of such peace as Asa had bought.
- Response, v10. Asa reacted bitterly to the rebuke Hanani brought. He imprisoned the prophet. He took his anger out on the people too—perhaps a response to a more widespread condemnation of his actions. What may not a good man turn into when he starts to barter away the treasures of God to find an easy solution to the onslaught of apostasy.