Blood Money: Asa

I. Introduction about David, Rehoboam, and Abijah. 2 Chronicles 14:2 tells us, “And Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God.” 2 Chronicles 12:14 sums up Rehoboam’s reign as king with the words, “And he did evil, for he did not set his heart to seek the Lord.” In 1 Kings 15:3 we hear about Asa’s father, King Abijah, “And he walked in all the sins that his father did before him, and his heart was not wholly true to the Lord his God.”

II. King Asa had peace but also two big military challenges. “So King Asa ascended to the throne in a difficult time, but as it is written, [The land had rest for ten years” (2 Chronicles 14:1). Asa understood why: “We have sought [the Lord], and he has given us peace on every side” (2 Chronicles 14:7). King Asa cried to the Lord, “We rely on you,” and was given a great victory (2 Chronicles 14:11).

III. King Asa took money from the temple to bribe King Ben-hadad.

IV. The Son of Asa, Jesus, came to bring peace.

V. Jesus went to the temple, but not for money. He chased out the money-changers. He approved of a poor widow’s offering. He was betrayed for 30 pieces of silver.

VI. The blood of King Jesus brings us lasting peace.