Christ is far, far, better than Asa both in devotion and duration. Devoted to true religion, His Gospel removes idols and His Spirit empowers preaching. His love compels saints praise. Messiah fortifies His Church – truth’s pillar and bulwark. Founded on apostolic doctrine, with Christ Himself chief capstone, the Kingdom of God is now comprised of living bricks, knit in common faith and replete with loving truth.

Introduction

There was a lot of excitement in the UK yesterday. Even in the midst of the Covid-19 crisis, street parties assembled (with social distancing) throughout Britain. It was fascinating to watch video footage of Churchill waving from the balcony of Buckingham Palace – cigar in mouth – to an excited multitude assembled on the Mall. The nation was called to reflect on a joyful, collective, sigh of relief – World War 2 was complete and peacetime won at last.

Context

In recent weeks I’ve been doing some livestream stuff on Chronicles. Ezra reviews past history to learn from former kingdom glories. He stirs up former exiles, now returned to Zion, to look ahead to the Christ – the coming Messiah will sum-up and excel all that was best that didn’t last. In his 10-year reign (v1), Asa, a good, right, king (v2), gives us a glimpse of the sort of Messiah we might expect.

“Asa his son reigned in his place. In his days the land had rest for ten years. And Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God” – 2 Chronicles 14:1-2

What are the traits that Ezra particularly notes?

First Asa was godly (v3-4)

Foreign idols were banned. Folk religion was stopped. Judah sought the LORD. Asa enforced its Torah. Cities were also purged. Incense altars were removed. True Yahwism was revived. God gave Judah rest.

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