Returning to God

  2 Chronicles 13

• Summary

This chapter continues the account of Asa and Judah returning from the battle with the Ethiopians, and the conquering and spoiling of cities around Gerar. 

As they return to Jerusalem the Spirit of God came on a prophet called Azariah, and he went out to meet Asa.  He advised him that if he continued to seek the LORD and serve him the LORD would be with them and reward them with peace - in contrast previous kings hadn't served God and he had brought trouble and turmoil to them.

Asa took courage from these words and renewed his efforts to cleanse the land from idolatry, and maintain the worship of the LORD, rebuilding the alter and bringing dedicated gold, silver and vessels into the temple.  In the 15th year of his reign there was a special dedication to seek and serve the LORD with all their heart and soul, and great rejoicing for they had found him.

Asa even removed his mother from being queen because she had made an idol.  We see the LORD rewarding him and Judah by there being no more war for 20 years.

• Thoughts

My attention was snagged by some words in verse 9, 'they fell to him out of Israel in abundance, when they saw that the LORD his God was with him'.  This suggests a great number of Israelites left their homes to come to Judah and join in with a life serving God. 

Two things cross my mind here:

1.  Were the Israelites coming to Judah because of how they would benefit from the peace God had given to Judah?

People naturally want to be where the going is better - Judah's peace and stability may have been attractive to Israel.  During Asa's reign there were several changes in the leadership of Israel, with uprisings and treason, division and much 'evil' in God's sight in not serving him.  

In Jesus' time we also see people following him for the benefit of being given bread rather than for the actual wonder of God's power in the miracles. Jesus reprimands them for this (John 6:26).

In the book of Ruth we see Naomi's family going to Moab, a heathen land, away from the worship of God because there was food there and famine in their own land.  

2. Or, were these Israelites coming to Judah as people returning to their God?

After Jeroboam and Israel broke away from King Rehoboam and Judah, Jeroboam built golden calves for the Israelites to worship to prevent them going up to Jerusalem and being drawn to the Judean side.  However, surely there must have been some who would not have wanted this heathen worship - some who would have mourned after the serving of God which they were used to?  

We read in the time of Elijah when it appears that all Israel has forsaken God that actually there were 7000 people who hadn't worshipped the idol Baal (1 Kings 19:18).  So, perhaps amongst this abundance of people there were some who were spiritually hungry and thirsty for God; some who had been grieved to see how Israel had fallen away from serving him. 

Or perhaps there were some who had enjoyed the 'freedom' from obeying God, but had seen the trouble it had brought them - they were as in the parable of the prodigal son, who took his inheritance and off he went to have his fling - casting off God.  But when his money was all gone his 'friends' forsook him.  He ended up looking after and eating the food of pigs - an animal unclean and most offensive to Jews - before 'coming to himself' and returning to his father with repentance for what he had done, confessing his sins and unworthiness. (Luke 15: 11-32).

And maybe there were people who like some of us were surrounded by materialistic advantages - but they did not truly satisfy their innermost beings.  Deep within them was an ache, a void that they desperately tried to fill with everyday activities and interests, but never really brought true lasting peace.  

These people saw that God was with Judah - and people who are searching God will sometimes notice that there are people who seem to have a real peace.  Those who come to God or return to him in repentance and confession, will find that he is a most loving and kind God, who receives them without judgement - because dear Jesus has suffered all the punishment for us. 

When the prodigal son returned his father didn't condemn him in the least.  We read that he was watching out for him - he saw him 'a great way off', he was filled with compassion for him - he ran to him - hugged him, kissed him - not put off by his no doubt ragged and perhaps, dirty and smelly appearance - not angry - but rejoicing!  His son had returned home to him!  He called for the best clothes, a ring, shoes and ordered a feast.  Think of this, dear reader - our most loving Heavenly Father is looking out for his children to return to him - waiting to receive them with love and compassion!  Doesn't it soften your heart to think of such wonder!

The following hymn* comes to mind.  May it encourage you dear reader, to come to the Lord in prayer, to tell him of your longings, to ask for forgiveness, and to be given faith to lay hold on his forgiving love:

Christ has blessings to impart,
Grace to save thee from thy fears;
O the love that fills his heart!
Sinner wipe away thy tears.

Why are thou afraid to come?
Why afraid to tell thy case?
He will not pronounce thy doom;

Smiles are seated on his face

Though his majesty be great,
Yet his mercy is no less;
Though he thy transgressions hate,
Jesus feels for thy distress.

Raise thy downcast eyes and see,

Numbers do his throne surround;

These were sinners once, like thee,

But have full salvation found.

Yield not, then, to unbelief;

Courage, soul, 'there yet is room!'

Though of sinners thou art chief,

Come, thou burdened sinner, come.

*Hymn 956, by Newton & Upton, in Gadsby's Hymns. Published by the Gospel Standard Trust

Photo: Walking on a mountain by Lital Levy on Unsplash ,with thanks

Photo: Engedi Reserve, Israel by Robert Bye on Unsplash, with thanks