Ben-Hadad's Foreign Relations

Ben-Hadad's Foreign Relations 

I Kings 15:20-22 NKJV

[20] So Ben-Hadad heeded King Asa, and sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel. He attacked Ijon, Dan, Abel Beth Maachah, and all Chinneroth, with all the land of Naphtali. [21] Now it happened, when Baasha heard it, that he stopped building Ramah, and remained in Tirzah. [22] Then King Asa made a proclamation throughout all Judah; none was exempted. And they took away the stones and timber of Ramah, which Baasha had used for building; and with them King Asa built Geba of Benjamin, and Mizpah.

Here we are confronted with high level politics of international relations in the building of Ramah. The struggle for dominance between Judah and Israel continued. David Guzik reports that, " Baasha gained the upper hand in the days of Asa because he effectively blocked a main route into Judah at the city of Ramah. He hoped this military and economic pressure on Judah would force Asa into significant concessions". That is when Asa broke all regards for the things of God. He took all the treasures of silver and gold that was in the temple and the kings house and gave them to Ben-Hadad, King of Syria, reminding him of a pending relationship he had with Judah. This is how games are sometimes played in international relations. Everything being equal, international relationships should be on the basis of peaceful coexistence. It spells out that there should be, " mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non- interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence". They didn't read that from the United Nations charter since there was non in their time. Ben-Hadad changed sides and saved Judah from the trade blockade. It is in 2Ch 16:7-10 that we read God's reactions to this diplomatic blunder. Prophet Hanani brought God's perspective on the matter, concluding, " For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars” (2Ch 16:7 b-9)". Who do you run to when you're under pressure? It shows where your loyalty lies. Don't complicate matters by putting God out of your decisions like Asa did. Good morning.