In 2 Timothy 3:16 Timothy tells us that the Word of God is for instruction and it includes all scripture not just the verses we like. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
At that time of writing, all that was available to the people was the Tanakh, which comprises the Torah, Prophets and Writings. So he was referring to those scriptures not to the as yet unwritten Brit Chadashah/New Testament. When we realize this we should then not dismiss or lack in our reading and study of the TaNaKH/Old Testament, which sadly many have a tendency to do. There is so much to be gained spiritually from studying the Torah, Prophets and Writings that have great and pertinent relevance to us as believers in the Messiah of Israel and Judah. Every account of every situation recorded in the scriptures has a bearing on our lives and has good advice on how to navigate the storms, tests and trials that we experience.
Many shrink back from reading books such as Numbers and Chronicles because of lengthy lists of names, however in 2 Chronicles 16:7 there is a great example for us along with a warning that is very much needed today in the perilous times we are seeing; those exactly as was spoken of in 2 Timothy chapters 3 and 4.
Remember this! In the last days there will be many troubles, because people will love themselves, love money, brag, and be proud.
You must understand that in the last days there will come times of much trouble. 2 People will love themselves and money. They will have pride and tell of all the things they have done.
God’s Spirit clearly says that in the last days many people will turn from their faith. They will be fooled by evil spirits and by teachings that come from demons.
In 2 Timothy 3:1 there is also an encouraging promise and we are seeing this also. In the last days, God says, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.
Back to 2 Chronicles and the lesson it would behoove us to learn.
The account begins with Hanani the seer coming to Judah’s King Asa with a message from the Lord. It is recorded in 2 Chronicles 15:2 where he told the King said:
“The Lord is with you, while you are with him. If you seek Him, He will be found of you; but if you forsake him, he will forsake you.”
Asa was a godly king who then led the nation of Judah into a covenant to seek the Lord with all their hearts and with all their souls, in fact anyone who did not was put to death. When the nation found the Lord God He gave them rest, verse 15. King Asa even removed his mother from her position as queen because she had made an idol, he tore down the idol and burned it. Next he brought gold and silver into the temple and dedicated it to the Lord, and because of his actions Judah lived in peace and prosperity and there was no war for 35 years.
Years later we read that Baasha, the king of the Northern kingdom of Israel built a city called Ramah which because of its location, cut off all trade to Judah, which caused the economy of Judah to suddenly be about to collapse, their food and water supply were under threat……(sounds familiar??) With the threat of that prosperity ending, after 35 years of trusting and seeking the Lord God with all his heart, Asa allowed fear and panic to overcome him and direct his decisions.
Instead of seeking the Lord God, Who had never failed, Asa went to the Temple, not to seek the Lord God, but to remove all the silver and gold and take it to Syria pleading for their help. Although Syria was not necessarily an ally, neither were they an enemy, however they were a potential threat to Judah and history proves this threat was real.
Asa’s plan worked and Bassha removed the city of Ramah and peace and prosperity returned. Hanani the seer came back to Asa in 16:7 and told him that because he relied on Syria rather than the Lord God, Syria would one day destroy Judah.
2 Chronicles 16:7: “At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast not relied on the Lord thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand.”
Asa had Hanani the seer thrown into prison in a fit of rage and 4 years later Asa came down with a disease in his feet. It is believed that he developed an infection that spread throughout his body and he lived in agony for 2 years until finally the disease took his life. Asa relied on Syria not on our Heavenly Father God.
Our focus today is on what or whom do we rely? Do we rely on our job, our bank account, ourselves, other people, government benefits, investments etc., etc.
The Shin, and Ayin represents peace through spiritual insight. The last letter Nun represents faith. So we could understand from this that Asa sought peace by placing his faith in his own insight. For 35 years Asa knew the blessings of God and he had grown comfortable with those blessings and had forgotten where they came from. (This could be said of western lifestyles today). Then when he was faced with the threat of losing those blessings and the economy of Judah was about to collapse, he gave into fear and relied on his own reasoning or insight; his fear caused him to run to a godless nation for help. He placed his faith in man, in the arm of the flesh, furthermore he used the gold and silver to bribe this nation for help, that same gold and silver he had dedicated to the Lord God 35 years earlier.
We must never lose sight of where our blessings come from. Every time we eat a meal we need to thank our Heavenly Father, every time we receive our wages, when we get what we need and every day we go to work, we need to thank our Heavenly Father. It is critical, so that we’ll never forget where that meal or that employment comes from. We’re no different than King Asa, we’re blessed and if ever there’s a threat to losing that blessing, we could easily forget where that blessing came from and run to human circumstance for a solution rather than to our Heavenly Father.
24 hours can change a life, it did for king Asa back in ancient Judah, it’s from him we are reminded that we could just rest in our Heavenly Father, (spiritual provision), or we could sha’an/rely upon Syria, (natural carnal provision.) When problems arise we could seek comfort in the arm of the flesh, escape through drugs or alcohol etc., which may have been a problem for us in the past until we met Messiah. Because it doesn’t matter how strong we think our faith is, the enemy knows where to attack us, he knows where we are weak and where it will hurt the most. Our first impulse may be to seek the arm of the flesh, instead we must run into the open arms of our Heavenly Father. We mustn’t make the same mistake Asa made by running to the arm of the flesh and try to fix it with our carnal understanding.
So the question remains….On What Or Whom Do You Rely? Our Heavenly Fathers’ provision and blessings or the provision of the worlds resources and governmental benefits? The promise and the consequences are the same for us as they were for King Asa: The Lord is with you, while you are with him. If you seek Him, He will be found of you; but if you forsake him, he will forsake you.
2 Chronicles 16:9 emphasizes that the Lord actively seeks those whose hearts are fully committed to Him, promising to strengthen them. This verse illustrates His vigilance and involvement in the lives of His followers, highlighting the importance of loyalty and faithfulness.
For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Shalom aleihhem chaverim and mishpachah!
Peace to friends and family.
Shavua Tov, Have a blessed week. Make certain Messiah Jesus/Yeshua is your Redeemer, Savior, Lord and soon returning King and that you have a personal relationship with Him. It’s all about Life and Relationship, NOT Religion. You are very precious in His sight. Not sure ..you can be… SIMPLY SAY THE FOLLOWING MEANING IT FROM YOUR HEART..
don’t delay one more minute,
SAY IT RIGHT NOW…
Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus/Yeshua asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry. I repent of them all and turn away from my past.
I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus/Yeshua is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus/Yeshua rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus/Yeshua. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’/Yeshua’s name.
