For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin. – Romans 14:23b (ESV)
Ramah, a city within Judah and just north of Jerusalem, is being fortified by king Baasha of Israel. Asa, being very concerned, calls on a northern nation, Syria, to invade Israel so they will quit fortifying Ramah. Israel responds by shifting their efforts in the south and moving their materials and men to the north. Sounds like a good plan right? Wrong. By His former actions (chs 14-15), God has shown Asa that He will defend His nation and His name if Asa would merely trust Him. The tragic proclamation by Hanani the seer (2 Chrn 16:9) angers Asa and he lives the rest of his life in bitterness. Our hearts are to be the Lord’s. Even in actions that may not seem sinful, we know when we are not trusting in the Lord. Paul even shows how this principle applies to our eating habits (Rom 14)! While we need to be slow to condemn others in more grey areas, we also need to be careful of approving methods for ourselves just because someone else can do it. Calling for help is not in and of itself a bad thing, but here was an opportunity for Asa to trust the Lord and he did not do it.
Note the location of:
- Ramah, the site of the Israeli fortification
- Jerusalem, the Judean capital
- Bethel, the worship center for the southern golden calf idol
