"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." 2 Chronicles 16:12
So King Asa is a pretty good guy. His "heart was fully committed to the Lord, all his life." [2 Chronicles 15:17] He destroys the false gods. The people of Israel are drawn to Judah and Asa and leave Israel for Judah when they see the Lord is with Asa and his people. The people renew their commitment to the Lord under Asa. "They sought God eagerly, and he was found by them. So the Lord gave them rest on every side." [2 Chronicles 15:15] But Asa makes mistakes as we all do. He looks elsewhere other than God from time to time. Relies on the king of Aram "and not on the Lord" and so is condemned always to be at war. (How is Asa being punished by war when it's the people on both sides of the conflict that are going to die?) Asa is obviously frustrated with this judgement and takes it out on the seer who told him this and the people. And then finally relies on his physicians rather than God to cure him from his disease.
Do we blame him? It's hard for me to blame him. Scripture says his "heart was fully committed to the Lord, all his life." Is this hyperbole? Or the truth of his heart? Was he hurt because he had tried so hard in his life to renew the covenant and bring the people of God together only to make a mistake of judgement and face punishment? Has he had it with God? And so consults his physicians and not God on his ailment? Is he feeling hurt and will not turn to God out of spite or pride? Because, in his heart, he knows that God can heal him. But he won't go there.
There is no perfect life. No matter how good we are, how much we seek after God, one failure seems to make it all for nothing. Maybe that's how Asa felt. God forgives and punishes. It's hard for me to put it all together when and why He does what. I'm not like so many others who read the Bible and have it all figured out and are so ready with an answer. More often I have questions. And I study only to have more questions.
But I know God is God. My questions are my own. I wrestle with them but I trust in Him. The only physician who can cure what truly ails me.
Lord knows.
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