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THE KING’S BUSINESS
of Ephraim and Manasseh, and out of Sim eon: for they fell to him out of Israel in abundance, when they saw that the LORD his God was with him." There was a great gathering to Asa: when one undertakes with a strong hand and a strong heart, in obedience to God’s Word, to set things straight, while he will meet with bitter opposition from some, he will also meet with hearty support from those whose sup port is worth while. Those who gathered to Asa’s support had fallen to him for the best of reasons, “they saw that Jehovah his God was with him.’’ If Jehovah is with a man people will soon see it, and he will have plenty of helpers. v. 10. “So they gathered themselves to gether at Jerusalem, in the third month, in the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa.” We are told in this verse and the verses that follow five things that the people did: (1) “They gathered themselves together at Jerusalem,” they went to the city that God had appointed as the center of their na tional and religious life, the place where God had promised to meet with His people, and from which He defended His people. (2) “They offered unto Jehovah” (v. 11). It was a very costly offering that they .brought; a real revival is always marked by increased giving. (3) “They entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul.” No tice exactly that the covenant was, to “seek Jehovah God o f their fathers,” and to do it “with all their heart and with all their soul.” There’s no use of trying to seek Jehovah unless one does it with all his heart and with all his soul. What they covenant (1) A Spirit-Sent Man, vs. 1-7. The Spirit of God called Azariah, v. 1. He went out and met Asa, v. 2. Be bore a message to Asa and all Israel, v. 2. While they sought God He would be found of them, v. 2. LESSON
ed to do was the very best thing they could do, every blessing depends upon our seek ing Jehovah with all our heart and with all our soul (1 Chron. 28:9; Deut. 30:1-8; 2 Chron. 15:20; 20:3-30; Jer. 29:13, 14; Lam, 3:25; Zech. 2:3; Ps. 105:3, 4; Amos 5 :4, 6).. To seek the Lord, is to seek to find, to know (Ps. 14:2), and to please the true God. Their backs had been toward Jehovah; they had heen seeking to get away from Him, to forget Him (that is now the attitude of all men out of Christ) ; now they were to turn their faces toward Him -(Deut. 30:2; Ps. 27:8; Isa. 55:6, 7), now they were going to seek His favor (2 Chron. 20:3; Jer. 29:12, 13), to seek to know, and to do His will (2 Chron. 34:3). This is exactly what every man should do today. This is the only path to life and blessing, to find the true God, to know Whom is eternal life (Jno. 17:3). The greatest of all dis coveries is to discover God, and He can be easily found in Christ (Jno. 14:6; 1 Jno. 5 :20). “Whosoever would not” seek Je hovah should be put to death (v. 13) ¡ that was stern dealing, but it was merciful. (4) “They sware unto the LORD with a loud voice, and with shouting and with trum pets, and with cornets.” They were both hearty and noisy iA their vow to God. (5) “All Judah rejoiced.” There is no joy like the joy of the real revival. v. 15. “He was found of them: and the LORD gave them rest round about.” Je hovah is always found of those who thus seek Him, and He always gives rest to those who seek Him (cf. ch. 14:7; Judges 3:9, 11; 5:31; 2 Kings 5:4; 2 Chron. 15:15; Matt. 11:28,29). OUTLINE If they forsook God He would forsake them, v. 2. For a long time they had forsaken God, v. 3. They were in' trouble n£>w and sought Him, v. 4. It was a time of great distress for Israel, vs. 5, 6.
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