For the eyes of Jehovah run to and fro through the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of those whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly; for from henceforth thou shalt have wars.
Asa had already seen God shatter an army far bigger than his own. Yet when a smaller threat came, he paid the king of Syria to fight for him. The prophet Hanani's answer to that bargain is this verse. It tells us how God watches the earth, and what heart He watches for.
The moment the words were spoken
The rebuke lands on a king who had every reason to know better. His earlier victory over Zerah the Ethiopian made the collapse of his trust harder to explain.
It is hard to explain this sudden failure in Asa's faith. Not long before, with God's help, he had destroyed the huge army of Zerah the Ethiopian. Now, facing an enemy not half as dangerous, his faith fails, and he leans for rescue on human strength.
The scheme worked. Asa got what he wanted, which makes the prophet's visit surprising.
Asa got what he wanted by hiring Syria to help him, but God did not congratulate him! … So Hanani tried to persuade Asa that God very much wanted to do the very best for those who put their full confidence in Him.
Eyes that run to and fro
The picture of God's eyes moving over the earth is not only about His seeing. Writers tie it to His active government, and they trace the same eyes into Zechariah.
In 2 Chronicles 16 the eyes of the LORD are pictured running to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong for those whose heart is perfect towards Him. This is the faithfulness of God, taking notice of all things in His ways of government. In Zechariah, the eyes rest on the stone that is laid in Zion. That is where the seat of that government stands — the government that sees everything, everywhere.
That searching gaze covers every corner of the map, without exception.
His "eyes" run to and fro through the whole earth, beholding the evil and the good. Nothing can possibly escape His notice, whether it happens in the far east or the far west, at either pole or at the equator. The One who has again and again shown "Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is perfect toward Him" is the One who controls the future of the nations and of the whole earth.
A heart that is perfect
The phrase can frighten anyone who looks honestly at themselves. One writer removes the misunderstanding directly, and does it while commenting on Asa's own case.
Those whose hearts are perfect are not those perfect in flesh, but those who know there is nothing good in them. "Stop regarding man," and begin with yourself.
Showing Himself strong
What God asks of such a heart is simpler than most people expect.
Simply rely on the Lord in everything, just to do His will quietly, and He will show Himself strong on your behalf.
The same eye that misses nothing is not a hostile eye toward those who trust Him. One writer says the believer can even watch where it looks.
But the believer has nothing to fear from the keen, piercing glance of that eye of sevenfold brightness. To him it is soft, tender and affectionate, "like doves beside streams of water." It is his happy privilege to watch where it looks. "I will counsel you with my eye upon you."
What the shortcut cost
Hanani ends by telling Asa he has acted foolishly and will have wars from now on. Part of what he lost was an opportunity: Syria itself could have fallen into his hand.
How remarkable is the government of God. Whatever wrong step we do to accomplish an end, not only does it not accomplish it, but it brings its own chastening with it. The very thing we least desire comes upon us. God would not only have hindered Israel, but Syria. Instead of this, the host of the king of Syria escaped out of his hands.
Asa's response sealed it — he jailed the prophet, oppressed some of the people, and later, when disease struck his feet, turned to physicians rather than to the Lord.
Summary
- Searching. God's eyes cover the whole earth. Nothing escapes His notice, because this seeing is His government at work.
- Seeking. They are not just scanning. They are looking for someone to be strong for. God is eager to do His very best for those who fully trust Him.
- Sincere. The heart He looks for is not a flawless heart. It is the heart that knows there is nothing good in itself, and so leans on Him alone.
- Simple. Rely on the Lord in everything and do His will. To the believer, that searching eye is tender, and it guides.
- Sobering. Asa won his battle and lost the blessing. The shortcut carried its own chastening, and wars followed him to the end.