Study #15: AYIN

AYIN: THE 16TH LETTER OF THE HEBREW ALPHABET

THE EYES OF GOD ( PART 2 )

The historical context of 2 Chronicles 16:9 is found during the reign of King Asa of Judah.

He started well in his reign destroying idolatry from his nation. And he was favoured of God when the million-strong army from Ethiopia was defeated and routed when it attacked Judah. But after 26 years of amassing wealth for his kingdom, he bribed Syria to take on and distract the northern kingdom of Israel so that Judah would be spared. God sent a prophet Hanani to warn and chastise him with these words in

2 Chronicles 16:9

 ” The eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”

But the prophet added this personal warning to King Asa: ” You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war”. Indeed Judah could not subdue Syria afterwards.

An unrepentant King Asa ended his days with foot leprosy to which he finally succumbed to in death.

Abba Father, let us be ever mindful of Your grace and mercy upon our lives, and not to trust upon our own arm of flesh. Let us learn from the tragedy of King Asa who in his prosperity forgot the Lord and trusted in his own wealth and power. Open the eyes of our understanding to the words of a hymn: “The arm of flesh will fail you, you dare not trust your own.”