2 Chronicles 10 – 16

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

Hebrews 1:1-4

The opening verses of the book of Hebrews serves to remind those newly converted Christians that Jesus is THE Prophet, the FINAL prophet and the FULFILLMENT of the words of all of the prophets. Moses was a prophet who wrote down the Law God gave through him for the good of the people. Others such as Isaiah, Daniel and Ezekiel wrote major written works of prophecy we can still read today. Still others like Obadiah and Zephaniah wrote less words, but equally powerful messages. Then there were others, like Azariah, who did not write or whose writings are not preserved. Thus, the “many times and many ways” God spoke through prophets.

Why now? Why send a prophet to speak to King Asa? The simple answer is he needed to hear what God had to say. The Law should have been sufficient, but the weak link has always been the reader, not the writer. Azariah was a “reminder” prophet.

The Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded, and he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: The LORD is with you while you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you. For a long time Israel was without the true God, and without a teaching priest and without law, but when in their distress they turned to the LORD, the God of Israel, and sought him, he was found by them. In those times there was no peace to him who went out or to him who came in, for great disturbances afflicted all the inhabitants of the lands. They were broken in pieces. Nation was crushed by nation and city by city, for God troubled them with every sort of distress. But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.” As soon as Asa heard these words, the prophecy of Azariah the son of Oded, he took courage and put away the detestable idols from all the land of Judah and Benjamin and from the cities that he had taken in the hill country of Ephraim, and he repaired the altar of the LORD that was in front of the vestibule of the house of the LORD.

2 Chronicles 15:1-8

Much of what he said was the same message God had made clear before. God is with the willing and against the unwilling. The choice is ours, but He is always God. Azariah followed up with the truth that Israel had strayed and was being punished for it. His final word was a call for repentance. Israel had come to the point where they needed a reminder. It was time for a prophet.

Take great joy in the response of King Asa. “As soon as he heard” speaks to the urgency of listening to God. “He took courage and put away the detestable idols” is the power of trusting obedience. A prophetic word pierced the heart of a wandering child of God and repentance was born of godly sorrow. Repentance, contrary to many beliefs and practices, is not merely saying you are sorry. Rather, it is action taken to correct the path of the wanderer. The fruits of repentance are in the doing.

If you look back at the passage from Hebrews, don’t miss the point that there are no more Azariahs who will come to remind us. Jesus has spoken. The Word of God became flesh and the written word from the mind of God stands as a constant reminder of truth revealed through a succession of prophets culminating in THE Prophet, Jesus. When is it time for a prophet? Today.

Consider His nature.  Consider His ways.  Strive to love Him more!