Why is it some leaders start out strong but end their careers in tragedy? There are a number of leaders in the Bible who started out brilliantly but ended in tragedy. What causes this?
Last week we looked at the incredible work of King Asa who led a turnaround among the people of Judah. Early in his reign Asa relied on God and gave God credit for the blessings that came to Judah. He got rid of false idols and led the people back to whole-hearted worship of God. The revival was such a success that the neighboring tribes saw what was happening in Judah and they too recommitted themselves to God.
Sadly, while Asa had a splendid beginning, he had a tragic ending (2 Chronicles 16).
The Threat
The last 25 years of Asa’s reign had been peaceful. Suddenly, Baasha, King of Israel, came to the Israel-Judah border only six miles from Jerusalem and fortified the city of Ramah.
The threat of military conflict with Israel was a great concern to Asa because as long as Ramah was blocked, people couldn’t enter or leave Judah from the north.
The Fall
Asa took all the silver and gold from the treasury in God’s temple and sent it to Ben-hadad, the heathen King of Aram in the north. The gold and silver were a bribe for Ben-hadad to break his treaty with Baasha and join with Asa.
Ben-hadad broke his treaty with Basha and invaded Israel. When Baasha realized he was being invaded he broke away from Ramah to defend his northern border against Ben-hadad.
So, it would seem Asa’s plan worked. He bribed Ben-hadad to break his treaty with Baasha and help him instead. When Ben-hadad complied, Baasha withdrew and left Judah alone.
The Failure
Asa’s decision to ally with Ben-hadad was a complete failure of leadership.
First, he attempted to solve the problem on his own power. He ignored what God had done so miraculously for the people of Judah over the past 25 years!
Second, he allied with a heathen king by way of a bribe! Ben-hadad was not an honorable man, or he wouldn’t have taken a bribe.
Third, Asa funded the bribe by taking the money from the treasury of the Lord’s temple. It was one thing to use his own gold and silver, but Asa took all the gold and silver in the temple.
The Confrontation
God was not pleased with Asa’s actions. God sent a prophet who confronted Asa. The prophet reminded Asa how years before God had delivered a great military victory against Judah’s enemies.
Why asked the prophet, did you foolishly turn to a man instead of God for help? Furthermore, said the prophet, you have let your enemy go. Had you called on God, He would have defeated your enemy.
The Tragic Ending
The prophet said God had seen Asa’s actions, and as a result, Asa would have war the rest of his life. Asa’s heart was hardened. He refused to repent when confronted by the prophet. Asa was so incensed by the prophet’s revelation; he put the prophet in prison! In the hardness of his own heart, Asa even brutally oppressed some of his own people.
So, the man of God who courageously stood against idolaters and relied on God years before had suddenly turned away from God. Not only did he not seek God, but he also attempted to solve the problem on his own, robbed the Temple treasury, put the prophet in prison, and hurt his own people.
What a tragic ending for a man who got off to such a good start!.
It seems that getting off to a good start doesn’t mean we will finish well. There are several Biblical examples of men who started well but failed in the end. Noah was an older man when he got drunk (Genesis 9:20-23), as was Abraham when he lied about his wife (Genesis 12:10). Moses had the best education, power, and prestige when he lost his temper and killed an Egyptian (Numbers 20). Also, David was already King when he committed adultery and murder (2 Samuel 11).
The Pitfall to Avoid
Asa’s tragic ending resulted from his pride. He thought he could solve his problems without God. Things were going well for Judah for years, and he pridefully thought it was all his doing. He refused to repent when confronted with his poor decisions, and then even hurt the very people who could help him.
Pride is the pitfall of leaders who end up in tragic endings. Pride brought about Asa’s fall, his failure, the confrontation, and even the tragic ending. The same thing can happen to you and I if we become prideful.
Join the Conversation
As always, questions and comments are welcome. Do you agree that pride is responsible for many tragic endings?
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Category: Personal Development | Dependence on God
