Azariah prophesies about Israel’s coming apostasy. But which Israel is he speaking about...
Azariah prophesies about Israel’s coming apostasy. But which Israel is he speaking about: only the kingdom of Israel, contemporary with Asa, king of Judah, or the entire people, whose inner unity does not disappear even when they are outwardly divided? It seems that he is speaking about the whole people, for the apostasy of the Israelites is not only their sin; it is also a warning and a visible image of the dangers and temptations that threaten the inhabitants of Judah no less. The prophetic words foretell disasters, and yet we should note that Asa took courage when he heard them. A clear vision of problems, however difficult they may be, makes it possible to reach a definite decision and courageously set about putting it into practice. Thus Asa, having learned the will of the Lord, gathered the people to renew their covenant with Him.
One might ask: why make the covenant again if the people had made it long ago? But the people are not a single mass; they consist of particular, entirely real persons, and each stands directly before the Lord, who knows each one by name. It is therefore not enough to acknowledge that one’s ancestors once chose a religious tradition. In new generations, each of us independently confirms our choice before the Lord.
15 God's message to Asa, Ch2 15:1-7.
Idols removed and the spoil dedicated to God, Ch2 15:8-11.
Judah makes a covenant with God, Ch2 15:12-15.
Asa removes his mother, destroys her idol, and brings the dedicated things into the temple, Ch2 15:16-18.
He has great peace, Ch2 15:19.
15:1 Spirit of God - Both to instruct him what to say, and to enable him to say it plainly and boldly.
15:3 Now Israel - They have long lived without the found knowledge and worship of the true God. Israel is here understood of the whole nation of Israel in former times, and especially in the times of the judges: for then many times they were in a great measure, without God and his law, and teaching priests, as plainly appears from the book of the Judges; they were brought to all the exigencies and calamities following; and they sometimes turned to the Lord, and he was found of them.
15:5 In those times - When Israel lived in the gross neglect of God and his law. No peace - Men could not go abroad about their private occasions without great danger; as it was in the days of Shamgar, Jdg 5:6.
15:6 And nation, etc - One part of the people of Israel destroyed the other by civil wars. As all Israel are called a nation, so the several tribes of them are sometimes called nations.
15:7 Be strong - Go on resolutely to maintain God's worship and to root out idolatry, as you have begun to do; for this is the only method of preserving yourselves from such calamities as your predecessors have felt.
15:8 Of Oded - Of Azariah, ver. Ch2 15:1, who was also called by his father's name Oded.
15:12 Into covenant - The matter of this covenant was nothing but what they were before obliged to. And tho' no promise could lay any higher obligation upon them, than they were already under, yet it would help to increase their sense of the obligation, and to arm them against temptations. And by joining all together in this, they strengthened the hands of each other
15:15 Rejoiced at the oath - The times of renewing our covenant with God, should be times of rejoicing. It is an honour and happiness to be in bonds with God. And the closer, the better.