Generations

9 In the twentieth year of Jeroboam king of Israel, Asa became king of Judah, 10 and he reigned in Jerusalem forty-one years. His grandmother’s name was Maacah daughter of Abishalom.
11 Asa did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, as his father David had done. 12 He expelled the male shrine prostitutes from the land and got rid of all the idols his fathers had made. 13 He even deposed his grandmother Maacah from her position as queen mother, because she had made a repulsive Asherah pole. Asa cut the pole down and burned it in the Kidron Valley. 14 Although he did not remove the high places, Asa’s heart was fully committed to the LORD all his life. 15 He brought into the temple of the LORD the silver and gold and the articles that he and his father had dedicated. (1 Kings 15:9-15)

After the Jews divided into two kingdoms, Jeroboam began a long reign in the northern kingdom of Israel. During that time, there were three kings of Judah in the south. First there was Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, who was followed by his son Abijah and grandson Asa.

The Bible tells us about this family: that as Solomon grew old, “his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father had been.” (I Kings 11:4); that during Rehoboam’s reign “Judah did evil in the eyes of the LORD” (1 Kings 14:22a); and that Abijah “committed all the sins his father had done before him” (1 Kings 15:3). With each generation, the family seems to turning further and further away from God.

But then Asa became king. Somehow, he was different from his father, grandfather and great grandfather. We told that “Asa did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, as his father David had done.” (verse 11). He “expelled the male shrine prostitutes from the land” and “got rid of all the idols his fathers had made” (verse 12). He “deposed his grandmother Maacah from her position as queen mother, because she had made a repulsive Asherah pole” and he “cut the pole down and burned it in the Kidron Valley” (verse 13).

How could Asa be so different?

The past and our families have a tremendous influence on us. It is possible to track families through multiple generations of alcoholism, divorce, shame, violence and abuse. That influence can seem impossible for us to break away from. Yet it doesn’t have to be so. The past and our families influence us, but they do not define us. In particular, God is there to show a way out of the deepest despair.

That is what the cross is all about. We were slaves to sin, but Christ purchased our freedom. And His offer of a different way from the past is always there for us to follow.
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Prayer:
• How has the past and your family influenced you?
What influence do you feel is inescapable?
Turn to God. He offers a way different from the past.