Day 165, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): 1Kings 15:33-34; 1Kings 15:16; 1Kings 15:32; 1Kings 15:17-22; 2Chronicles 16:1-10; 1Kings 16:1-33; 1Kings 15:23-24; 2Chronicles 16:11-14; 1Kings 22:41; 2 Chronicles 17:1-18:1; 1 Kings 16:34
Leadership—Good and Bad
Who is it that you most admire? Why do you think highly of him (or her)? Is it because he is rich, influential, personable, or a godly servant? How would your image of that person change if he chose to make an unwise compromise which jeopardized the future of that family or organization? We find out what can happen in a similar situation in today’s Bible study.
In the continuing account of the kings of Israel and Judah, we see a need for righteousness and integrity in leadership. As the leader goes, so goes the family, society, church, business, or other organization. All the tribes of Jacob’s descendants were God’s covenanted people, not just those who were obedient. God has many disobedient children, and he still loves them.
Parents, if any of us feel bad about how our children are turning out, remember that many of God’s children were also disobedient. Until Assyria exiled the northern ten tribes from their land, they were more rebellious than the two southern tribes of Jacob (called Judah).
A Good Leader Falls With Pride
For fifteen years, King Asa of Judah followed the LORD whole-heartedly and led his people to do the same. Therefore, God blessed him abundantly and gave his kingdom peace. But now, because King Baasha of Israel seeks to confine him and threaten trade relationships with other nations to the north, King Asa does not turn to the LORD for help but makes a treaty with Damascus. He purchases mercenary services from his palace treasury and the gold and silver from Solomon’s temple, which is devoted to God. The plan works— King Aram of Damascus attacks Israel, and Baasha withdraws from Judah’s borders— but God is not pleased.
At that time Hanani the seer [prophet] came to Asa king of Judah and said to him: “Because you relied on the king of Aram and not on the LORD your God, the army of the king of Aram has escaped from your hand. Were not the Cushites and Libyans a mighty army with great numbers of chariots and horsemen? Yet when you relied on the LORD, he delivered them into your hand. For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war.” (more…)
Asa was angry with the seer because of this; he was so enraged that he put him in prison. At the same time Asa brutally oppressed some of the people, (2Chronicles 16:7-10, NIV).Nobody wants someone to tell him that he is wrong, especially if he has the reputation of being right and respected by everyone. Asa began well but did not finish well. Even toward the end of Asa’s life, the sin of pride remained.
In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa was afflicted with a disease in his feet. Though his disease was severe, even in his illness he did not seek help from the LORD, but only from the physicians (2Chronicles 16:12, NIV).Do we take rebukes well? Are we tempted to act in our own self-interest and security? We should not do it. Instead, we should trust the LORD. He strengthens those whose hearts are fully committed to him (2 Chronicles 16:9, emphasis mine), no matter what their age or situation.
God favors his obedient children, but God does not forget about his disobedient children. God sends the prophet Jehu to Baasha, king of Israel.
Then the word of the LORD came to Jehu son of Hanani against Baasha: “I lifted you up from the dust and made you leader of my people Israel, but you walked in the ways of Jeroboam and caused my people Israel to sin and to provoke me to anger by their sins. So I am about to consume Baasha and his house, and I will make your house like that of Jeroboam son of Nebat. Dogs will eat those belonging to Baasha who die in the city, and the birds of the air will feed on those who die in the country” (1Kings 16:1-4, NIV).The prophecy against Baasha is a message of judgment, but God cares enough to send a prophet to warn him. If he turns from his wrongdoing to God, Baasha will receive mercy. Instead, he continues on his way, and God destroys his family like Jeroboam’s.
Following the wicked reign of Baasha, king of Israel, are a series of chaotic reigns and assassinations, and the fulfillment of the prophecy (mentioned above) through the wicked King Zimri. Wickedness produces more wickedness and brings about God’s wrath, not his pleasure. What will be our legacy—righteousness or wickedness?
A Good Leader is Faithful
Fortunately, for the nation of Judah, Asa’s son Jehoshaphat follows the faithful example of his father’s early reign and not the unfaithful model of his later years. He realizes, however, that people in his kingdom have to be re-taught the ways of righteousness if they are to obey.
In the third year of his reign, he sent his officials …to teach in the towns of Judah. With them were certain Levites… and the priests. They taught throughout Judah, taking with them the Book of the Law of the LORD; they went around to all the towns of Judah and taught the people (2Chronicles 17:7-9, NIV).
For this commitment, God is pleased and brings peace to the nation and great wealth.
An Unfortunate Compromise
After Jehoshaphat grows powerful, he makes an unwise military alliance with the wicked King Ahab of Israel (2 Chronicles 18:1). This compromise will hurt him and the nation (we will learn more about this in our Next Lessons.
We need to be careful in our leadership. What we do now will affect future generations for good or bad.
Discussion
What does this sentence mean? As the leader goes, so goes the family, society, church, business, or other organization. Is it true? How?
What made Asa and Jehoshaphat good leaders and the kings of Israel all bad?
How should we understand this sentence? He strengthens those whose hearts are fully committed to him. What does it mean for us?
Focus Verse
2Chronicles 16:9a (NIV) “For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
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Looking Ahead: In our Next Lesson we are introduced to the prophets Elijah and Elisha, Faithful Servants of God. Be amazed at how they show the nation of Israel who The True God really is.
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