Although he did not remove the high places from Israel, Asa's heart was fully committed to the LORD all his life. (2 Chronicles 15:17, NIV)
I don’t get it. The sentence is a complex clause, with a subordinate clause and a simple sentence on there. Asa’s name means “Healer”, and that’s what he actually did: he healed Israel from their idol worship and their wickedness. And with all, they still didn’t take out the high places. Honestly, I don’t get it…
In the fifteenth chapter of 2 Chronicles, Asa is reforming the religious situation of Israel. (As always, whatever Israel did in their hearts for the Lord reflected on their progress as a nation. And in this case, they are divided now.) His heart was moved by God, wanting to remove all known spiritual blemish in his land. No more idols in Judah or Benjamin; no more faulty altars; no more half-hearted intents; no more bad influences (he removed his grandmother as queen mother and locked her up safely). And yet, the high places were still there.
It sorta sucks; though he –moved by the power of God in his heart- created a new revival in his nation, he fell through the cracks. He relied on strategic warfare instead of warfare; even while being warned by God through a prophet, he did not listen. He was stricken with a foot disease (we don’t know what it is), but he wouldn’t look to God. Something was wrong. Was it because he failed to remove ALL the high places? Or was it because of his shortcomings as a human?
I say it was both. And yet, his heart was right with God. How come? Was something in his flesh tied to pagan ways? Or was it the money and the effervescent need for a “safety quick-fix” instead of bending His knees to the Master? Something was wrong, yet his heart was right.
There was a little prick of a high place somewhere inconceivable…Can You take it out?
