(2 Chron. 14:16 )

In this king's reign there are two outstanding events. They present a marked contrast, and their results are not less diverse. It seems as though they answer to the double meaning of his name, which is given as both "healing" and "injurious."

These chapters give the record of two conflicts and the attitude taken by both king and people in reference to them, followed by prophetic messages from two prophets, each dealing with the attitude of the king. The issues are as diverse as the double meaning given to Asa's name.

First, however, let us notice the bright beginning of this king's reign. At its very commencement the important principle of separation from evil, and thus obedience to God's will and Word, is clearly manifested. This leads to unity in action with upbuilding and strengthening results for God's people. These things constantly go together. But the enemy looks on with jealous eye, and prepares for their destruction. So we read of the great Ethiopian host and the ensuing conflict. And here the lesson seems to be quite simple, yet of great importance. Is it not one of headship over the people, as again the meaning of the names may suggest? If this be so, the whole attitude of Asa is of special significance, and doubtless gives the secret of God affording him so great a victory.

Zerah means "rising;" Mareshah, "headship," and Ethiopian, "of the blackness." Here we have the rising of the enemy in an effort to attain headship over the Lord's people, his effort to bring them into bondage. If this conflict concerns headship, then from Asa we may learn the way of faith in every such effort of the enemy. He turns to God and puts Him in the place of headship over all, and for Asa it matters not whether there be many or few, for him there is only one thing to do- to trust in God, depend upon Him for help and go forward in His name. Thus God is given the supreme place, faith honors Him, and we see the blessed way in which He answers with sure victory and abundant spoils.

The second conflict is different. It is between the fragments of God's people. The first was with the enemies of God's people:this between those of the same flesh and blood. Here sad and distressing failure arises. The power of Syria is invoked to aid in this case- strange and pitiful contrast. Syria rose up as an enemy of God's people in the degeneracy of Solomon's reign, presenting, to say the least, an aspect of the flesh, the natural man, the power of which becomes manifest because of the inroads of the nations and their evil ways among God's people (1 Kings 11).

The Church's history-our history-presents in many of its events the sad counterpart of these circumstances. And here the query which forces itself upon us is, Have we at such times employed the power of Syria, or in living faith implored the intervention of God? Asa fails, and does the former, as a consequence of which the Lord's prophet tells him, "Henceforth thou shalt have wars." Can we review the past in humiliation and self-judgment and fail to find it true that at some time, somewhere, in an evil hour Syria's power was used and not God's? And more that, Syria which we could have conquered, as Asa could have done had he been faithful, has escaped out of our hands. Syria-fleshly power, confidence in man, worldly ways of strife-are these the things too often used in the sad conflicts between God's people? And have we ever tried to hallow them by using the silver and gold out of the Lord's treasuries, like Asa here? Have "wars" come, with the weakness, distress, and shame that ever follow in their train? "Herein thou hast done foolishly." As the sharp rebuke comes home do we feel a rising wrath, and in our way open "a prison house" (16:9,10) ? Let us beware. It is better to hear and repent, for the Lord still chastens. Asa did not bow to the rod, he became diseased in his feet. The lesson still not learned, "he sought not to the Lord, but to the physicians." Sad ending to a history with such a bright beginning.

But let us not miss the prophet's solemn message. "Because thou hast…. not relied on the Lord thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand." Can we trace to the kind of sad failure spoken of our lack of power over the world and its ways? Does it tell us why so much of fleshly walk, selfish interest and strife despoil our vines? This host has escaped, when if only there had been maintained faithfulness to God and His claims He would have led us as triumphant
conquerors over all such enemies to His glory and our blessing. "For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose£ heart is perfect toward Him." John Bloore