2 Chronicles

2 Chronicles 14: Asa cries to the LORD

Begin in prayer

Before we hear how Asa faced an army of a million, let us pray. Ask God to show us the helper His people need, and to lead us to Jesus Christ.

For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me. But you have saved us from our adversaries, and have shamed those who hate us.

Psalm 44:6-7

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that there is no one besides You to help, and lead us to Jesus, who is able to help. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Asa becomes king after Abijah, and the land is quiet for ten years. He does what is good and right in the eyes of the LORD, and takes away foreign altars, high places and pillars. He tells Judah to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, and to obey His law. Asa builds fortified cities, because the land is quiet and the LORD has given rest. He has an army of nearly six hundred thousand, but Zerah the Ethiopian comes with a million men and three hundred chariots. Asa cries to the LORD, saying there is no one besides Him to help, and the LORD strikes the Ethiopians.

As you read 2 Chronicles 14, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD struck the Ethiopian army when Asa cried to Him for help.

Asa became king after Abijah, and the land was quiet for ten years (verse 1). He told Judah to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, and to obey His law (verse 4). Asa said that they had sought the LORD, and He had given them rest on every side (verse 7). Then Zerah the Ethiopian came with an army of a million and three hundred chariots (verse 9). Asa had a large army, yet he cried, “there is no one besides you to help” (verse 11). He added, “we rely on you,” and, “you are our God” (verse 11). The text says plainly, “Yahweh struck the Ethiopians,” and they fled (verse 12). This matters, because a king with an army still had no one but the LORD. It shows a God who helps those who cry to Him.

How does 2 Chronicles 14 show us that the LORD struck the Ethiopian army when Asa cried to Him for help?

Asa told Judah to seek the LORD, and the land had rest.

Asa took away the foreign altars, the high places and the pillars (verse 3). He told Judah to seek the LORD and to obey His law (verse 4). The land was quiet, because the LORD had given him rest (verse 6). Asa said they had sought the LORD, and He had given them rest on every side (verse 7).

Asa cried to the LORD, because no one else could help.

Zerah the Ethiopian came with an army of a million and three hundred chariots (verse 9). Asa went out to meet him in the valley at Mareshah (verse 10). He cried, “there is no one besides you to help,” and asked the LORD to help them (verse 11). He said they rely on the LORD, and in His name they came against this multitude (verse 11).

The LORD struck the Ethiopians, and Judah returned with plunder.

The text says that “Yahweh struck the Ethiopians before Asa and before Judah,” and they fled (verse 12). Asa and his people chased them to Gerar, and many fell (verse 13). The fear of the LORD came on the cities around Gerar (verse 14). Judah carried away much plunder, and returned to Jerusalem (verses 13 to 15).

Jesus is able to help, and all who call on Him will be saved.

Hebrews says Jesus is able to help those who are tempted, because He suffered (Hebrews 2 verse 18). Paul says everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (Romans 10 verse 13). Asa cried to the LORD for help against an army, and sinners can cry to Jesus for help against sin.

Memorise

Yahweh, there is no one besides you to help, between the mighty and him who has no strength.

2 Chronicles 14:11

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, when I need saving, do I cry out to Jesus?

Asa cried to the LORD, “there is no one besides you to help.” Then “Yahweh struck the Ethiopians,” and they fled. Jesus is the helper every sinner needs, and He is able to help those who come to Him (Hebrews 2 verse 18).

Our danger is greater than a million soldiers. We have sinned, and God's judgment is against sin. Jesus went to the cross for His people, and His death paid every debt once for all. God raised Him up, and death no longer owns Him.

So cry to Him. Turn from your sin and put your trust in Jesus. Everyone who trusts Him will be forgiven. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (Romans 10 verse 13).

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD helped Asa when he cried out, and that Jesus helps all who call on Him. Parents, verses 9 to 15 tell of a great battle, and you may tell it briefly as the LORD's help for Judah. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He is the helper of those who cry to Him, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Then they cry to Yahweh in their trouble, he saves them out of their distresses.

Psalm 107:19

Lord God, thank You that You helped Asa when he cried to You. Thank You for Jesus, who is able to help sinners and who rose from the dead. Please help each of us to call on Him and to trust Him. Amen.