n The Kings of the Divided Kingdom n THE KING WHO STARTED A REVIVAL BUT STUMBLED n n ASA OF JUDAH 1 KINGS 15:8–15 “The church needs a revival!” That statement into apostasy under the rule of Kings Rehoboam could be made of many congregations in almost and Abijam. The next king who came to the throne any era. Churches may become indifferent. A was Asa, a good king.2 Asa was responsible for congregation is usually born in a burst of en- starting a great revival. Let us read the happy thusiasm, blooming with fire and fervor. Then, story of his revival and then look at its after- over time, the flames may die out. Some groups math. become lukewarm, as did the church in Laodicea (Revelation 3:15, 16), or dead, like the church in ASA STARTED A REVIVAL3 Sardis (Revelation 3:1). When that happens, the church needs a revival! The members need to be Asa’s Reign Summarized stirred up to their initial zeal. First Kings 15 begins the story of good King Even in the Old Testament, “revivals” oc- Asa with these words: curred from time to time. God’s people made a And Abijam slept with his fathers and they covenant with Him (Exodus 19). They agreed to buried him in the city of David; and Asa his son do His will, and He agreed to bless them if they became king in his place. would obey Him. He also warned that curses So in the twentieth year of Jeroboam the king of Israel, Asa began to reign as king of Judah. would follow if they turned away from Him. He reigned forty-one years in Jerusalem; and A pattern emerged in God’s dealings with His his mother’s name was Maacah the daughter people. They would break the covenant, and God, of Abishalom. Asa did what was right in the true to His word, would curse them. Then the sight of the LORD , like David his father. He also put away the male cult prostitutes from people would repent and renew the covenant.1 God would subsequently bless them again. The 2Asa, the third king of Judah, the southern kingdom renewal of the covenant was the equivalent of during the period of the divided kingdom, reigned from a revival. about 910 until 869 B.C. 3 One of those times of revival and renewal The idea that Asa led a revival was suggested in Herbert Lockyer, All the Kings and Queens of the Bible occurred not long after the beginning of the di- (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan Publishing House, 1961), vided kingdom. The kingdom of Judah had sunk 118–20; and Joseph Parker, “Asa,” in Bible Characters, by Dwight Lyman Moody, T. De Witt Talmage, and Joseph Parker (Chicago: Thomas W. Jackson Publishing Co., 1902; 1Covenant renewal ceremonies are described in Joshua reprint, Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan Publishing House, 8; 24; 2 Kings 23; Ezra 10; and Nehemiah 8—10. n.d.), 314–20. 930 913 910 872 848 B.C. JUDAH Rehoboam Asa Jehoshaphat Abijam 1 the land and removed all the idols which his vision of one individual. One devoted Christian fathers had made. He also removed Maacah his mother from being queen mother, because she may not be able to start a revival alone, but it had made a horrid image as an Asherah; and is certain that no revival will begin without the Asa cut down her horrid image and burned it determined leadership of at least one disciple! at the brook Kidron. But the high places were Revival spread to the whole community. The not taken away; nevertheless the heart of Asa was wholly devoted to the LORD all his days. He story of Asa’s revival began but did not end brought into the house of the LORD the dedicated with Asa’s faithfulness. He was determined to things of his father and his own dedicated things: take others with him on the road back to God. silver and gold and utensils (vv. 8–15). He “commanded Judah to seek the LORD God Asa’s reign is summarized with a statement of their fathers and to observe the law and the that he “did what was right in the sight of the commandment” (2 Chronicles 14:4). LORD .” Specifically, he (1) “put away the male Likewise, if someone today desires to lead cult prostitutes,” (2) “removed . the idols,” the church to revival, he must find a way to take (3) deposed Maacah from her position as the others with him. Unfortunately, not even a queen mother, and (4) dedicated his wealth to leader in the church can command people to fol- 6 the treas ury in the house of God. low the Lord. Rather, he must persuade people to accompany him on the journey. Consecrated Asa’s Revival Analyzed Christians lead God’s people by personal influ- Second Chronicles expands this description ence, by teaching, by persuasion, and by moti- of Asa’s reign, telling his story in three chapters vation—not by threats, intimidation, or physical (chs. 14—16). As we read that narrative, we get force. some idea of how he started a revival and, there- Revival succeeded because of God’s blessing. fore, of what needs to happen in order to revive After saying that Asa initiated reforms early in a group of Christians today. his reign (during a period of peace and apparent Revival started with one man’s dedication. First, prosperity; 2 Chronicles 14:6–8), the chronicler the account in 2 Chronicles confirms that the re- reported that the king of Ethiopia came against vival in Asa’s day began with his determination Judah with an army of one million warriors and to do God’s will. The chronicler wrote, “Asa did three hundred chariots (2 Chronicles 14:9). Judah good and right in the sight of the LORD his God” had only a little over half as many soldiers. Asa (2 Chronicles 14:2). Because he was dedicated to prayed to God, God, Asa sought to eradicate idolatry from the LORD , there is no one besides You to help in the land (2 Chronicles 14:3, 5). Asa was so zealous battle between the powerful and those who have for God’s way that he even removed Maacah— no strength; so help us, O LORD our God, for we probably his own grandmother 4—from her trust in You, and in Your name have come against this multitude. O LORD , You are our God; let not place as the queen mother (2 Chronicles 15:16), a man prevail against You (2 Chronicles 14:11). position of prominence and power. In doing so, he illustrated the kind of dedication Christians God indeed blessed Asa’s forces (2 Chronicles ought to develop. Christ taught that an individual 14:12–15). They won a resounding victory because must be willing to forsake all, including his or they trusted in God. her own family, to be His disciple.5 In the next chapter, the prophet Azariah spoke Just as the revival in Asa’s day began with one to Asa and the people of the southern kingdom, man’s dedication, revival today can begin with the saying, “The LORD is with you when you are with Him. And if you seek Him, He will let you find 4Both 2 Chronicles 15:16 and 1 Kings 15:10 speak of Him; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake Maacah as being Asa’s mother. However, since 1 Kings 15:2 you” (2 Chronicles 15:2). Then the prophet ad- says that Maacah was the mother of Abijam (Asa’s father) and since 2 Chronicles 11:20, 21 indicates that Maacah was monished Asa, “But you, be strong and do not Absalom’s daughter and Rehoboam’s favorite wife, it is prob- lose courage, for there is reward for your work” able that Maacah was Rehoboam’s wife, Abijam’s mother, (2 Chronicles 15:7). and Asa’s grandmother. If so, “mother” in 1 and 2 Kings is used in the sense of “grandmother,” just as “father” is sometimes used in the sense of “forefather.” 6However, he can teach them what God’s Word com- 5See Luke 14:25, 26. mands or requires. 2 Asa’s experience and Azariah’s words reveal with all their heart and soul; and whoever would not seek the LORD God of Israel should be put to three truths about revival. First, those who want death,9 whether small or great, man or woman. to be revived and renewed must depend on God. Moreover, they made an oath to the LORD with Only He can give us strength; He alone is the a loud voice, with shouting, with trumpets and One who blesses our evangelistic efforts with with horns. All Judah rejoiced concerning the oath, for they had sworn with their whole heart fruit. Without His blessings we cannot succeed. and had sought Him earnestly, and He let them Second, if we would have God on our side to find Him. So the LORD gave them rest on every bless us as we seek revival, we need to pray. side (2 Chronicles 15:9–15). Prayer must precede and accompany revival in any congregation. Third, we must remember that This renewal of the covenant involved God will only bless us with revival if we do His (1) participation by people from a variety of will, that is, obey His Word. backgrounds, (2) generous contributions given Revival required the people of Judah to reject to God, and (3) a vow to seek God with all the things which God finds abominable.