A Blockacle of Judah

                                                                     Kings 15:16-1 24

 

June 24, 2021

 

 

There was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel throughout their reigns.   Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah and fortified Ramah to prevent anyone from leaving or entering the territory of Asa king of Judah.

Asa then took all the silver and gold that was left in the treasuries of the Lord’s temple and of his own palace. He entrusted it to his officials and sent them to Ben-Hadad son of Tabrimmon, the son of Hezion, the king of Aram, who was ruling in Damascus.   “Let there be a treaty between me and you,” he said, “as there was between my father and your father. See, I am sending you a gift of silver and gold. Now break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel so he will withdraw from me.”

Ben-Hadad agreed with King Asa and sent the commanders of his forces against the towns of Israel. He conquered Ijon, Dan, Abel Beth Maakah, and all Kinnereth in addition to Naphtali.   When Baasha heard this, he stopped building Ramah and withdrew to Tirzah.   Then King Asa issued an order to all Judah—no one was exempt—and they carried away from Ramah the stones and timber Baasha had been using there. With them, King Asa built up Geba in Benjamin, and also Mizpah.

As for all the other events of Asa’s reign, all his achievements, all he did, and the cities he built, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Judah? In his old age, however, his feet became diseased.   Then Asa rested with his ancestors and was buried with them in the city of his father David. And Jehoshaphat his son succeeded him as king.

 

If you recall The Soviet Union put missiles in Cuba pointing at the USA, and the blockade to stop any supplies from coming are going into Cuba.  It was very successful because we had the ability to back up our blockade.  This is what Baasha king of Israel was doing with Judah but Asa king of Judah bought his freedom by giving all the gold and silver in the house of God and his house to the King of Aram to break his treaty with Israel and attack some of its cities.

 

One must wonder if Asa inquired of the Lord, or did he look to a man?  When you read that God has not changed, He is the same today as yesterday, but man also has not changed, he also is leaning on his own understanding and not looking to the all-knowing God, and His Son Jesus Christ.

 

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice