2 Chronicles 16:12 – “In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa was afflicted with a disease in his feet. Though his disease was severe, even in his illness he did not seek help from the Lord, but only from the physicians.”
Extended Explanation of the Verse
This verse tells us about the last years of King Asa’s life, when he was afflicted with a severe disease in his feet. Despite the seriousness of his illness, Asa made the decision to seek help only from physicians rather than turning to God for healing. This detail is important because it highlights a pattern in Asa’s later years—he had become reliant on human solutions rather than trusting in God. Although seeking medical help is not condemned in itself, the issue here is that Asa turned solely to human doctors without seeking God’s guidance or healing.
The verse paints a picture of Asa’s spiritual condition during the final years of his life. It illustrates a stubborn refusal to rely on God, even when facing a serious personal crisis. Asa’s illness, combined with his unwillingness to seek God, reflects how far his heart had drifted from the faithfulness that once marked his early reign.
Historical Context
King Asa reigned over Judah for 41 years, and his reign began with significant reforms and strong faith in God. Asa led Judah back to proper worship, removed idols, and even commanded the people to seek the Lord (2 Chronicles 14:4). In the early part of his reign, he experienced a great victory over a much larger Cushite army because he relied on God (2 Chronicles 14:9-12).
However, as Asa grew older, his trust in God weakened. When faced with the threat of King Baasha of Israel, Asa chose to form an alliance with Ben-Hadad, king of Aram, rather than relying on God’s deliverance. This decision brought a rebuke from the prophet Hanani (2 Chronicles 16:7). Asa’s refusal to accept the prophet’s correction led to further hardening of his heart, and his later years were marked by stubbornness and a lack of trust in God. This verse marks one of the final episodes in his reign, where even in the face of severe illness, Asa failed to turn to God for help.
Theological Implications
Theologically, this verse highlights the danger of relying solely on human resources while neglecting to seek God’s help. Asa’s actions are an example of how even a person who once trusted in God can become self-reliant and distant from Him over time. The verse doesn’t suggest that seeking medical help is wrong, but it does emphasize that our ultimate trust should be in God. Asa’s failure was not that he consulted doctors, but that he put his complete trust in them without seeking God at all.
This passage challenges us to examine where we place our trust. When we face crises—whether health issues, financial problems, or relational struggles—do we first turn to human solutions, or do we seek God’s guidance and healing? The message here is that we are called to trust God in all circumstances, using the resources available to us but never forgetting that God is the ultimate source of help and healing.
Literary Analysis
This verse serves as a somber reflection on the later years of Asa’s life. The Chronicler uses it to demonstrate Asa’s spiritual decline by emphasizing that even in his illness, he refused to seek God. The use of the word “only” in describing Asa’s reliance on physicians underscores the problem—Asa had entirely neglected God, focusing solely on human help.
The mention of Asa’s disease is also significant because physical afflictions are often used in Scripture as moments where individuals turn to God for healing and restoration. In Asa’s case, however, his physical illness mirrors his spiritual condition—both are serious, and both are marked by a lack of seeking God’s intervention.
Relevant Biblical Cross-References
- Psalm 118:8-9 – “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.” This reminds us that while human help can be useful, God should always be our ultimate refuge.
- James 5:14-15 – “Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.” This passage encourages believers to seek God’s healing through prayer while also using practical means like medicine.
- Jeremiah 17:5 – “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord.” This reflects Asa’s mistake in relying entirely on human help without turning to God.
- 2 Kings 20:1-6 – The story of King Hezekiah, who, when facing illness, prayed to the Lord and was healed. Hezekiah’s example contrasts with Asa’s failure to seek God.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, this verse serves as a warning against the dangers of spiritual complacency and self-reliance. Asa’s story reminds us that even those who have walked with God can drift away if they stop relying on Him. We are encouraged to seek God in every aspect of our lives, particularly in times of trouble or crisis.
This verse also teaches us that it’s not wrong to use practical, human solutions—such as doctors or medicine—but that we should always seek God’s guidance first and foremost. God desires to be involved in every part of our lives, and when we face challenges, He invites us to turn to Him for strength and healing.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
Even though Asa did not seek God in his illness, the verse still points to God’s willingness to be involved in the lives of His people. God had been with Asa throughout his reign, offering protection, guidance, and help when Asa relied on Him. The fact that Asa’s refusal to seek God is mentioned highlights God’s desire for relationship and trust. God does not abandon His people, even when they fail to turn to Him; rather, He remains available and ready to help those who seek Him.
This verse shows that God’s love is patient, and even when we neglect Him, He desires for us to turn back to Him. Asa’s failure serves as a reminder that God’s love invites us to rely on Him in every situation.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of trusting God in all circumstances. Throughout His life, Jesus demonstrated complete dependence on the Father, seeking God’s will in every situation, whether it was in His ministry, His suffering, or His prayers. Jesus never relied solely on human solutions but always turned to the Father in prayer.
In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus invites all who are weary and burdened to come to Him for rest. This reflects the heart of God, who desires that we bring our troubles and needs to Him, whether they are spiritual, physical, or emotional. Through Jesus, we have access to the ultimate source of healing and strength, and we are invited to rely on Him fully, rather than relying solely on our own efforts or human solutions.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- When faced with challenges in life, do you turn to God first, or do you rely solely on human solutions?
- What does Asa’s failure to seek God in his illness teach you about the importance of relying on God in all circumstances?
- Are there areas in your life where you have become spiritually complacent or self-reliant? How can you turn those areas over to God?
- How does Jesus’ example of trusting in the Father challenge you to deepen your own reliance on God?
- How can you balance practical human resources, like medicine or advice, with a heart that trusts God as the ultimate source of healing and help?
This verse encourages us to keep our focus on God, even when using human means of help. It serves as a reminder that God desires to be part of every aspect of our lives, and that we should never neglect to seek His guidance, strength, and healing.