2Ch 14:9-15 | KingComments | STEP | In these verses we have a second history in the life of Asa. The LORD has given him rest. Everything is in peace. Then comes the trial. If Asa has everything in order, “the evil day” comes ( ). Then it turns out that he stands firm because he has put on the armor. The fact that the enemy comes here to Asa ( ) is not the result of deviation. Then the enemy’s attack would be a disciplinary act from God to make the people return to Him through it. However, the people here have not deviated from the LORD. The LORD has another purpose with this attack. He allows the enemy to go up against Judah to test the faith of the people. The way in which Asa engages in the battle provides proof of his loyalty and consecration. When the enemy goes up against him, he goes out to meet him ( ). Asa is not afraid. The lack of fear is not because he relies on his trained and well-equipped army. The enemy’s attack leads him to prayer ( ). He is not blind to the superiority of the enemy. The enemy’s army is twice as big as his army. He sees himself facing a huge crowd and realizes that he lacks the strength to overcome this enemy. However, he knows the power of the LORD. He calls to Him and thereby places the LORD between himself and the enemy. If God stands between us and our difficulties, the difficulties will not fade away, but we will measure them according to the power of God and not according to our own strength, or better: the lack thereof. If our cause and that of God are one, we are invincible. Asa, who sought God in his prosperity, approaches to Him with boldness in days of trial. He goes to Him as “His God” ( ). This personal relationship with God is of the utmost importance in every circumstance in which we find ourselves. The prayer of Asa is short, but rich in content. In it he expresses his unconditional confidence in God’s omnipotence (cf. ). He knows and pronounces that the LORD is the only One Who can help. Asa relies only on Him. He also knows that the LORD is there for everyone who recognizes his own powerlessness and therefore calls upon Him. Asa can also say that he did not end up in this situation because of willfulness. He knows that he is in the way of the LORD, and that in His Name he has come against the enemy, “this multitude”. Therefore he boldly appeals to God, that He proves Himself strongly to these men, i.e. mortal men. He makes it a matter between the LORD, the Almighty God of His people, and man. What will mortal man be able to do against that almighty God? There is a great faith and also a great knowledge of God in what Asa says about God and in the way he speaks to Him. His prayer is heard. The LORD stands up for Asa and Judah. He strikes the Ethiopians in such a way that they flee ( ). Asa and the people pursue them and kill many. As a result, there is no power left for the enemy to resume battle. God gives a great victory. The army of Israel is the army of the LORD, “His army” ( ). The cities that are overwhelmed are aware that the judgment comes on them because of the LORD, the God of Israel ( ; cf. ; ; ; ). After the victory the booty is taken to Jerusalem, God’s center ( ).

‏ 2 Chronicles 14:9-15

Victory Over the Ethiopians

In these verses we have a second history in the life of Asa. The LORD has given him rest. Everything is in peace. Then comes the trial. If Asa has everything in order, “the evil day” comes (Eph 6:13a). Then it turns out that he stands firm because he has put on the armor. The fact that the enemy comes here to Asa (2Chr 14:9) is not the result of deviation. Then the enemy’s attack would be a disciplinary act from God to make the people return to Him through it. However, the people here have not deviated from the LORD. The LORD has another purpose with this attack. He allows the enemy to go up against Judah to test the faith of the people.

The way in which Asa engages in the battle provides proof of his loyalty and consecration. When the enemy goes up against him, he goes out to meet him (2Chr 14:10). Asa is not afraid. The lack of fear is not because he relies on his trained and well-equipped army. The enemy’s attack leads him to prayer (2Chr 14:11). He is not blind to the superiority of the enemy. The enemy’s army is twice as big as his army. He sees himself facing a huge crowd and realizes that he lacks the strength to overcome this enemy. However, he knows the power of the LORD. He calls to Him and thereby places the LORD between himself and the enemy.

If God stands between us and our difficulties, the difficulties will not fade away, but we will measure them according to the power of God and not according to our own strength, or better: the lack thereof. If our cause and that of God are one, we are invincible. Asa, who sought God in his prosperity, approaches to Him with boldness in days of trial. He goes to Him as “His God” (2Chr 14:11). This personal relationship with God is of the utmost importance in every circumstance in which we find ourselves.

The prayer of Asa is short, but rich in content. In it he expresses his unconditional confidence in God’s omnipotence (cf. 1Sam 14:6). He knows and pronounces that the LORD is the only One Who can help. Asa relies only on Him. He also knows that the LORD is there for everyone who recognizes his own powerlessness and therefore calls upon Him. Asa can also say that he did not end up in this situation because of willfulness. He knows that he is in the way of the LORD, and that in His Name he has come against the enemy, “this multitude”.

Therefore he boldly appeals to God, that He proves Himself strongly to these men, i.e. mortal men. He makes it a matter between the LORD, the Almighty God of His people, and man. What will mortal man be able to do against that almighty God? There is a great faith and also a great knowledge of God in what Asa says about God and in the way he speaks to Him.

His prayer is heard. The LORD stands up for Asa and Judah. He strikes the Ethiopians in such a way that they flee (2Chr 14:12). Asa and the people pursue them and kill many. As a result, there is no power left for the enemy to resume battle. God gives a great victory. The army of Israel is the army of the LORD, “His army” (2Chr 14:13). The cities that are overwhelmed are aware that the judgment comes on them because of the LORD, the God of Israel (2Chr 14:14; cf. Exo 23:27; Deu 11:25; Jos 2:9; Rev 6:16). After the victory the booty is taken to Jerusalem, God’s center (2Chr 14:15).