2 Chronicles 15 Study Notes: Azariah’s Message and Asa’s Covenant
The prophet Azariah tells Asa that God stays near to those who look for Him and leaves those who abandon Him. Encouraged, Asa removes idols, and the people pledge wholehearted devotion to God, who grants them peace. Asa deposes his grandmother for making an idol and stays loyal to God.
General
How did Asa respond when he heard Azariah’s prophecy (2 Chronicles 15:8)?
Answer: He took heart, cleared out idols, and repaired God’s altar
Azariah’s words gave Asa courage. He removed the hateful idols throughout Judah and Benjamin, as well as from the towns he had won in Ephraim’s hills. He also restored the LORD’s altar that stood before the temple porch (15:8). Hearing God’s word led straight to action. James tells believers to put the word into practice instead of only listening to it (James 1:22), and Paul praised the Thessalonians for leaving idols behind to serve the true God who lives (1 Thessalonians 1:9).
- 2 Chronicles 15:8 (BSB)“When Asa heard these words and the prophecy of Azariah son of Oded the prophet, he took courage and removed the detestable idols from the whole land of Judah and Benjamin and from the cities he had captured in the hill country of Ephraim. He then restored the altar of the LORD that was in front of the portico of the LORD’s temple.”Encouraged by Azariah’s prophecy, Asa removes the idols and restores the LORD’s altar.
- James 1:22 (BSB)“Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves.”God’s people are to be doers of the word, not hearers only.
- 1 Thessalonians 1:9 (BSB)“For they themselves report what kind of welcome you gave us, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God”True turning to God means leaving idols to serve the living and true God.
Theological
What was Asa’s immediate response to Azariah’s prophetic word (2 Chronicles 15:8)?
Answer: He took heart, cleared out idols, and repaired God’s altar
Asa’s response shows a word received in faith: he took courage, purged the abominable idols from Judah, Benjamin and the captured Ephraimite towns, and restored the LORD’s altar before the temple portico (15:8), pairing the removal of false worship with the renewal of true worship. Scripture consistently joins hearing to doing (James 1:22), and the New Testament describes genuine conversion in the same two movements, leaving idols behind to serve the true God who lives (1 Thessalonians 1:9).
- 2 Chronicles 15:8 (BSB)“When Asa heard these words and the prophecy of Azariah son of Oded the prophet, he took courage and removed the detestable idols from the whole land of Judah and Benjamin and from the cities he had captured in the hill country of Ephraim. He then restored the altar of the LORD that was in front of the portico of the LORD’s temple.”Encouraged by Azariah’s prophecy, Asa removes the idols and restores the LORD’s altar.
- James 1:22 (BSB)“Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves.”God’s people are to be doers of the word, not hearers only.
- 1 Thessalonians 1:9 (BSB)“For they themselves report what kind of welcome you gave us, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God”True turning to God means leaving idols to serve the living and true God.
General
Moved by God’s Spirit, Azariah son of Oded went to meet Asa. What principle did he announce to Asa and the people (2 Chronicles 15:1-2)?
Answer: Those who seek God find Him; those who leave Him are left
God’s Spirit came on Azariah son of Oded, a prophet, which means someone who speaks a message from God (15:1). He told Asa and the people of Judah and Benjamin that the LORD stays with them whenever they stay with Him. Whoever seeks Him finds Him, but whoever abandons Him is abandoned by Him (15:2). David had given Solomon the same promise and warning (1 Chronicles 28:9). Through Jeremiah, God later promised that wholehearted searchers will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13), and Isaiah urged the people to look for the LORD while there is still time to find Him (Isaiah 55:6).
- 2 Chronicles 15:1-2 (BSB)“Now the Spirit of God came upon Azariah son of Oded. So he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you when you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.”Filled by the Spirit, Azariah tells Asa that seeking the LORD means finding Him, while forsaking Him means being forsaken.
- 1 Chronicles 28:9 (BSB)“As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intent of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.”David gave Solomon the same promise and warning about seeking and forsaking the LORD.
- Jeremiah 29:13 (BSB)“You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.”God promises that those who seek Him with all their heart will find Him.
- Isaiah 55:6 (BSB)“Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.”The prophet urges people to seek the LORD while He may be found.
Theological
What covenant principle did Azariah son of Oded, under the Spirit’s influence, set before Asa, Judah and Benjamin (2 Chronicles 15:1-2)?
Answer: Those who seek God find Him; those who leave Him are left
Azariah speaks under the Spirit’s prompting (15:1), and his message distills the covenant theology of Chronicles: the LORD remains with His people while they remain with Him; seeking Him results in His being found, while forsaking Him results in being forsaken (15:2). The formula repeats David’s charge to Solomon (1 Chronicles 28:9), and the prophets press the same promise and urgency, as in Jeremiah’s assurance that wholehearted searching finds the LORD (Jeremiah 29:13) and Isaiah’s summons to seek Him while there is opportunity to find Him (Isaiah 55:6).
- 2 Chronicles 15:1-2 (BSB)“Now the Spirit of God came upon Azariah son of Oded. So he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you when you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.”Filled by the Spirit, Azariah tells Asa that seeking the LORD means finding Him, while forsaking Him means being forsaken.
- 1 Chronicles 28:9 (BSB)“As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intent of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.”David gave Solomon the same promise and warning about seeking and forsaking the LORD.
- Jeremiah 29:13 (BSB)“You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.”God promises that those who seek Him with all their heart will find Him.
- Isaiah 55:6 (BSB)“Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.”The prophet urges people to seek the LORD while He may be found.
General
When the people gathered in Jerusalem in Asa’s fifteenth year, what covenant did they enter into (2 Chronicles 15:10-14)?
Answer: To give themselves wholly to seeking the LORD
The people gathered in Jerusalem and offered sacrifices from the spoil taken in battle (15:10-11). Then they made a covenant, which is a binding, solemn agreement, to seek their fathers’ God, the LORD, with their whole heart and soul (15:12). Anyone of any age, male or female, who refused to seek Him was to die (15:13). This followed the law God gave Israel through Moses, which set that penalty for an Israelite who turned to other gods in worship (Deuteronomy 17:2-5). They swore the oath loudly, with shouting and the sound of trumpets and horns (15:14). Their pledge echoes the great command to love the LORD with all one’s heart and soul (Deuteronomy 6:5), and King Josiah later led a similar covenant (2 Chronicles 34:31-32).
- 2 Chronicles 15:12-14 (BSB)“Then they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and soul. And whoever would not seek the LORD, the God of Israel, would be put to death, whether young or old, man or woman. They took an oath to the LORD with a loud voice, with shouting, trumpets, and rams’ horns.”The people covenant to seek the LORD with all their heart and soul and swear an oath with shouts and trumpets.
- Deuteronomy 6:5 (BSB)“And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”The law called Israel to love the LORD with all their heart and soul.
- Deuteronomy 17:2-5 (BSB)“If a man or woman among you in one of the towns that the LORD your God gives you is found doing evil in the sight of the LORD your God by transgressing His covenant and going to worship other gods, bowing down to them or to the sun or moon or any of the host of heaven—which I have forbidden— and if it is reported and you hear about it, you must investigate it thoroughly. If the report is true and such an abomination has happened in Israel, you must bring out to your gates the man or woman who has done this evil thing, and you must stone that person to death.”The law of Moses set the death penalty for turning to worship other gods.
- 2 Chronicles 34:31-32 (BSB)“So the king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the LORD to follow the LORD and to keep His commandments, decrees, and statutes with all his heart and all his soul, and to carry out the words of the covenant that were written in this book. Then he had everyone in Jerusalem and Benjamin take a stand in agreement to it. So all the people of Jerusalem carried out the covenant of God, the God of their fathers.”Josiah later leads the people in a wholehearted covenant before the LORD.
Theological
What was the substance of the covenant Judah made at the assembly in Asa’s fifteenth year (2 Chronicles 15:10-14)?
Answer: To give themselves wholly to seeking the LORD
The assembly in Jerusalem, with sacrifices from the spoil (15:10-11), culminates in covenant renewal: the people bind themselves to seek their fathers’ God, the LORD, with their whole heart and soul (15:12), echoing the Shema’s call to love the LORD wholeheartedly (Deuteronomy 6:5). The death sentence on anyone of any age, male or female, who refused to seek Him (15:13) applies the penalty the Mosaic law set within Israel for breaking covenant by worshiping other gods (Deuteronomy 17:2-5). The oath is sworn publicly with shouting and the blast of trumpets and horns (15:14), and Josiah’s later covenant follows the same wholehearted pattern (2 Chronicles 34:31-32).
- 2 Chronicles 15:12-14 (BSB)“Then they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and soul. And whoever would not seek the LORD, the God of Israel, would be put to death, whether young or old, man or woman. They took an oath to the LORD with a loud voice, with shouting, trumpets, and rams’ horns.”The people covenant to seek the LORD with all their heart and soul and swear an oath with shouts and trumpets.
- Deuteronomy 6:5 (BSB)“And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”The law called Israel to love the LORD with all their heart and soul.
- Deuteronomy 17:2-5 (BSB)“If a man or woman among you in one of the towns that the LORD your God gives you is found doing evil in the sight of the LORD your God by transgressing His covenant and going to worship other gods, bowing down to them or to the sun or moon or any of the host of heaven—which I have forbidden— and if it is reported and you hear about it, you must investigate it thoroughly. If the report is true and such an abomination has happened in Israel, you must bring out to your gates the man or woman who has done this evil thing, and you must stone that person to death.”The law of Moses set the death penalty for turning to worship other gods.
- 2 Chronicles 34:31-32 (BSB)“So the king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the LORD to follow the LORD and to keep His commandments, decrees, and statutes with all his heart and all his soul, and to carry out the words of the covenant that were written in this book. Then he had everyone in Jerusalem and Benjamin take a stand in agreement to it. So all the people of Jerusalem carried out the covenant of God, the God of their fathers.”Josiah later leads the people in a wholehearted covenant before the LORD.
General
Azariah recalled a time of disorder when Israel lacked true worship. What happened when the people, in their trouble, turned back and sought the LORD (2 Chronicles 15:3-6)?
Answer: He let Himself be found by them
Azariah described a long period when Israel lacked the true God, had no priest teaching them, and had no law (15:3). Life was unsafe: travelers were in danger, nations and cities crushed one another, and God troubled them with every kind of hardship (15:5-6). Yet when the people in their distress turned back to the LORD and sought Him, He let them find Him (15:4). Moses had promised this: when Israel was in trouble and sought the LORD wholeheartedly, they would find Him (Deuteronomy 4:29-30). The book of Judges tells of such a turning, when Israel put away foreign gods and turned to serving the LORD (Judges 10:15-16), and a psalm repeats that God rescued His people when they cried out in their trouble (Psalm 107:6).
- 2 Chronicles 15:3-6 (BSB)“For many years Israel has been without the true God, without a priest to instruct them, and without the law. But in their distress they turned to the LORD, the God of Israel, and sought Him, and He was found by them. In those days there was no safety for travelers, because the residents of the lands had many conflicts. Nation was crushed by nation, and city by city, for God afflicted them with all kinds of adversity.”Azariah recalls a lawless, troubled time when Israel sought the LORD in distress and He was found by them.
- Deuteronomy 4:29-30 (BSB)“But if from there you will seek the LORD your God, you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the LORD your God and listen to His voice.”Moses promised that Israel would find the LORD when they sought Him in distress.
- Judges 10:15-16 (BSB)““We have sinned,” the Israelites said to the LORD. “Deal with us as You see fit; but please deliver us today!” So they put away the foreign gods from among them and served the LORD, and He could no longer bear the misery of Israel.”Israel confessed sin, put away foreign gods, and served the LORD, who could no longer bear their misery.
- Psalm 107:6 (BSB)“Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distress.”God delivered His people when they cried out in their trouble.
Theological
In Azariah’s review of Israel’s dark past, how did the LORD respond when the distressed nation turned and sought Him (2 Chronicles 15:3-6)?
Answer: He let Himself be found by them
Azariah grounds his exhortation in Israel’s history: a time lacking the true God, a teaching priest, and the law (15:3), marked by insecurity and conflict that God Himself sent as affliction (15:5-6). Yet when Israel in its distress turned and sought the LORD, He let Himself be found (15:4). Even God’s afflictions served to bring His people back. This is the pattern Moses foretold, that seeking the LORD wholeheartedly in distress would find Him (Deuteronomy 4:29-30), illustrated in Judges when Israel put away foreign gods (Judges 10:15-16) and celebrated in the psalm of those delivered when they cried out in trouble (Psalm 107:6).
- 2 Chronicles 15:3-6 (BSB)“For many years Israel has been without the true God, without a priest to instruct them, and without the law. But in their distress they turned to the LORD, the God of Israel, and sought Him, and He was found by them. In those days there was no safety for travelers, because the residents of the lands had many conflicts. Nation was crushed by nation, and city by city, for God afflicted them with all kinds of adversity.”Azariah recalls a lawless, troubled time when Israel sought the LORD in distress and He was found by them.
- Deuteronomy 4:29-30 (BSB)“But if from there you will seek the LORD your God, you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the LORD your God and listen to His voice.”Moses promised that Israel would find the LORD when they sought Him in distress.
- Judges 10:15-16 (BSB)““We have sinned,” the Israelites said to the LORD. “Deal with us as You see fit; but please deliver us today!” So they put away the foreign gods from among them and served the LORD, and He could no longer bear the misery of Israel.”Israel confessed sin, put away foreign gods, and served the LORD, who could no longer bear their misery.
- Psalm 107:6 (BSB)“Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distress.”God delivered His people when they cried out in their trouble.
General
Why did King Asa take away the queen mother’s position from his grandmother Maacah (2 Chronicles 15:16)?
Answer: She had set up a vile Asherah pole
Asa took away his grandmother Maacah’s honored rank as queen mother, since she had fashioned a hateful Asherah pole, a wooden object used in worship of the Canaanite goddess Asherah. Asa cut the pole down, smashed it, and set it on fire in the valley of Kidron (15:16). His loyalty to the LORD came before family ties and royal honor. The law commanded Israel to cut down Asherah poles (Exodus 34:13) and burn idols with fire (Deuteronomy 7:5). Jesus taught that no one who loves a parent more than Him is worthy of Him (Matthew 10:37). Though the high places remained in Israel, Asa’s heart was wholly devoted throughout his life, and he brought the silver, gold and other gifts dedicated by him and his father into God’s house (15:17-18).
- 2 Chronicles 15:16 (BSB)“King Asa also removed his grandmother Maacah from her position as queen mother because she had made a detestable Asherah pole. Asa chopped down the pole, crushed it, and burned it in the Kidron Valley.”Asa removes Maacah as queen mother and destroys the Asherah pole she had made.
- Exodus 34:13 (BSB)“Rather, you must tear down their altars, smash their sacred stones, and chop down their Asherah poles.”The law commanded Israel to chop down Asherah poles.
- Deuteronomy 7:5 (BSB)“Instead, this is what you are to do to them: tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, cut down their Asherah poles, and burn their idols in the fire.”Israel was to burn idols in the fire.
- Matthew 10:37 (BSB)“Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me;”Jesus calls His followers to love Him more than father or mother.
Theological
On what ground did Asa depose his grandmother Maacah as queen mother (2 Chronicles 15:16)?
Answer: She had set up a vile Asherah pole
Asa’s reform reaches into the royal household: he deposed his grandmother Maacah as queen mother for making an abominable Asherah pole, which he cut down, smashed and burned in the valley of Kidron (15:16). Covenant loyalty outranks kinship and court honor. The action carries out the law’s command to cut down Asherah poles (Exodus 34:13) and burn idols (Deuteronomy 7:5), and it anticipates Jesus’ demand that love for Him take precedence over love for father or mother (Matthew 10:37). The summary verdict follows: though the high places remained in Israel, Asa’s heart was wholly devoted throughout his life, and he brought the dedicated silver, gold and articles into God’s house (15:17-18).
- 2 Chronicles 15:16 (BSB)“King Asa also removed his grandmother Maacah from her position as queen mother because she had made a detestable Asherah pole. Asa chopped down the pole, crushed it, and burned it in the Kidron Valley.”Asa removes Maacah as queen mother and destroys the Asherah pole she had made.
- Exodus 34:13 (BSB)“Rather, you must tear down their altars, smash their sacred stones, and chop down their Asherah poles.”The law commanded Israel to chop down Asherah poles.
- Deuteronomy 7:5 (BSB)“Instead, this is what you are to do to them: tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, cut down their Asherah poles, and burn their idols in the fire.”Israel was to burn idols in the fire.
- Matthew 10:37 (BSB)“Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me;”Jesus calls His followers to love Him more than father or mother.
General
Many people from Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon had left Israel to join Asa. Why had they done so (2 Chronicles 15:9)?
Answer: They could see that God was with Asa
Asa called together the people of Judah and Benjamin, plus northerners from three tribes who were living among them. Large numbers of these northerners had left Israel and joined Asa because it was clear to them that Asa’s God, the LORD, stood with him (15:9). Earlier in Chronicles, people from every tribe whose hearts were set on seeking the LORD had gone to Jerusalem to worship (2 Chronicles 11:16). Later, in Hezekiah’s day, some northerners from Asher, Zebulun and Manasseh humbly made their way to Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 30:11).
- 2 Chronicles 15:9 (BSB)“And he assembled all Judah and Benjamin, along with those from the tribes of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon who had settled among them, for great numbers had come over to him from Israel when they saw that the LORD his God was with him.”Many from the northern tribes join Asa when they see that the LORD his God is with him.
- 2 Chronicles 11:16 (BSB)“Those from every tribe of Israel who had set their hearts to seek the LORD their God followed the Levites to Jerusalem to sacrifice to the LORD, the God of their fathers.”Earlier, people from every tribe who sought the LORD came to Jerusalem.
- 2 Chronicles 30:11 (BSB)“Nevertheless, some from Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem.”Under Hezekiah, some from the northern tribes humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem.
Theological
What drew great numbers from Ephraim, Manasseh and Simeon to defect from Israel to Asa (2 Chronicles 15:9)?
Answer: They could see that God was with Asa
The covenant assembly includes northerners settled in Judah, many of whom had defected to Asa because they perceived that Asa’s God, the LORD, stood with him (15:9). God’s evident presence with Judah’s king drew faithful Israelites across the political divide, continuing the earlier movement of people from all the tribes whose hearts were set on seeking the LORD (2 Chronicles 11:16). The same movement recurs under Hezekiah, when some northerners from Asher, Zebulun and Manasseh humbly made their way to Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 30:11).
- 2 Chronicles 15:9 (BSB)“And he assembled all Judah and Benjamin, along with those from the tribes of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon who had settled among them, for great numbers had come over to him from Israel when they saw that the LORD his God was with him.”Many from the northern tribes join Asa when they see that the LORD his God is with him.
- 2 Chronicles 11:16 (BSB)“Those from every tribe of Israel who had set their hearts to seek the LORD their God followed the Levites to Jerusalem to sacrifice to the LORD, the God of their fathers.”Earlier, people from every tribe who sought the LORD came to Jerusalem.
- 2 Chronicles 30:11 (BSB)“Nevertheless, some from Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem.”Under Hezekiah, some from the northern tribes humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem.
General
True or False: The people swore the covenant oath grudgingly, and afterward the LORD left them surrounded by enemies.
Answer: False
This is false. The whole nation was glad about the oath, because their oath came from the whole heart. They sought the LORD eagerly, He let Himself be found by them, and He gave them rest all around (15:15). This is exactly what Azariah had promised: those who seek the LORD will find Him (15:2). The same truth appears in the Psalms, which call people blessed who seek Him with their whole heart (Psalm 119:2), and Jeremiah records God’s promise that wholehearted seekers will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13).
- 2 Chronicles 15:15 (BSB)“And all Judah rejoiced over the oath, for they had sworn it with all their heart. They had sought Him earnestly, and He was found by them. So the LORD gave them rest on every side.”Judah rejoices in the oath, seeks the LORD eagerly, finds Him, and receives rest on every side.
- 2 Chronicles 15:2 (BSB)“So he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you when you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.”Azariah had promised that the LORD would be found by those who seek Him.
- Psalm 119:2 (BSB)“Blessed are those who keep His testimonies and seek Him with all their heart.”Those who seek the LORD with all their heart are called blessed.
- Jeremiah 29:13 (BSB)“You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.”God promises to be found by those who search for Him wholeheartedly.
Theological
True or False: The covenant oath was sworn reluctantly, and the LORD withheld rest from Judah afterward.
Answer: False
This is false. The oath was an occasion of joy, sworn with the whole heart; the people sought the LORD eagerly, He let them find Him, and He gave them rest all around (15:15). The verse marks the fulfillment of Azariah’s word that the LORD is found by those who seek Him (15:2). The joy is itself significant: wholehearted devotion is not grim duty but delight, as the psalmist pronounces blessed those who seek the LORD wholeheartedly (Psalm 119:2), and as God promises that such seeking will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13).
- 2 Chronicles 15:15 (BSB)“And all Judah rejoiced over the oath, for they had sworn it with all their heart. They had sought Him earnestly, and He was found by them. So the LORD gave them rest on every side.”Judah rejoices in the oath, seeks the LORD eagerly, finds Him, and receives rest on every side.
- 2 Chronicles 15:2 (BSB)“So he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you when you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.”Azariah had promised that the LORD would be found by those who seek Him.
- Psalm 119:2 (BSB)“Blessed are those who keep His testimonies and seek Him with all their heart.”Those who seek the LORD with all their heart are called blessed.
- Jeremiah 29:13 (BSB)“You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.”God promises to be found by those who search for Him wholeheartedly.
General
True or False: Azariah ended his message by telling Asa and the people to take heart and keep going, promising that their labor would not go unrewarded.
Answer: True
This is true. After his warning and his look back at Israel’s past, Azariah turned to encouragement. He told Asa and the people to stay strong and not lose heart, because their work would bring a reward (15:7). God told Joshua much the same as he began to lead Israel (Joshua 1:9). The New Testament gives believers the same encouragement: their work for the Lord is never wasted (1 Corinthians 15:58), and those who keep going will gather a crop in due time (Galatians 6:9).
- 2 Chronicles 15:7 (BSB)“But as for you, be strong; do not be discouraged, for your work will be rewarded.””Azariah urges Asa and the people to be strong and promises that their work will be rewarded.
- Joshua 1:9 (BSB)“Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.””God told Joshua to be strong and not discouraged because He was with him.
- 1 Corinthians 15:58 (BSB)“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”Paul assures believers that their labor in the Lord is not in vain.
- Galatians 6:9 (BSB)“Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”Those who do not give up in doing good will reap a harvest.
Theological
True or False: Azariah’s message closes with an exhortation to courage grounded in the assurance that their faithful labor would be rewarded.
Answer: True
This is true. Having stated the covenant principle and illustrated it from history, Azariah closes with exhortation: courage, not discouragement, because their work would be rewarded (15:7). The language recalls the LORD’s charge to Joshua (Joshua 1:9). The New Testament extends the same assurance to believers, whose work for the Lord is never wasted (1 Corinthians 15:58) and who will gather a crop in due time if they persevere (Galatians 6:9). Such reward is God’s gracious promise, not wages that put Him in their debt.
- 2 Chronicles 15:7 (BSB)“But as for you, be strong; do not be discouraged, for your work will be rewarded.””Azariah urges Asa and the people to be strong and promises that their work will be rewarded.
- Joshua 1:9 (BSB)“Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.””God told Joshua to be strong and not discouraged because He was with him.
- 1 Corinthians 15:58 (BSB)“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”Paul assures believers that their labor in the Lord is not in vain.
- Galatians 6:9 (BSB)“Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”Those who do not give up in doing good will reap a harvest.