“And in those times there was no peace to him that went out, nor to him that came in, but great vexations were upon all the inhabitants of the countries.”
My Notes
What Does 2 Chronicles 15:5 Mean?
"And in those times there was no peace to him that went out, nor to him that came in, but great vexations were upon all the inhabitants of the countries." The prophet Azariah describes the period before Asa's reforms as a time of total insecurity — no peace for travelers, no safety for merchants, universal vexation across the region. The social order had collapsed. Going out (commerce, travel) and coming in (returning home, daily business) were both dangerous. Normal life was impossible.
This description of societal collapse serves as the background for Asa's reforms: the chaos motivates the return to God. The connection is explicit — the absence of God produces the absence of peace. When a society abandons God, the social fabric unravels and ordinary activities become dangerous.
Reflection Questions
- 1.Where do you see the 'no peace going out, no peace coming in' pattern in your community or culture?
- 2.How does the connection between abandoning God and losing social peace challenge secular explanations for societal breakdown?
- 3.What 'reform' in your life or community might restore the peace that's been lost?
- 4.Where has the removal of a moral foundation produced chaos that looks like it has purely political or economic causes?
Devotional
No peace going out. No peace coming in. The most basic activities of daily life — leaving your house, coming home, doing business, traveling a road — are dangerous. The social contract has collapsed. Everyone is vexed. Nobody is safe.
Azariah paints this picture as the before image. Before Asa's reforms. Before the nation turned back to God. This is what life looked like when Israel was doing their own thing: universal insecurity. Not just war at the borders — chaos in the streets. Not just political instability — personal danger in every direction.
The connection between abandoning God and losing peace isn't superstitious. It's structural. When a society loses its moral foundation, trust erodes. When trust erodes, cooperation collapses. When cooperation collapses, commerce fails. When commerce fails, vexation spreads. The prophet doesn't describe a divine punishment imposed from above. He describes the natural consequence of a society that's removed the foundation everything else was built on.
Look at any community, organization, or family where the moral center has been removed. The symptoms are always the same: insecurity, vexation, inability to function normally. No peace going out. No peace coming in. Not because God is vindictively punishing them but because the absence of righteous order produces the absence of peace. They're connected. Remove one, and the other follows.
Asa's response is reform — returning to God, removing the idols, renewing the covenant. And peace returns. Because peace isn't just the absence of war. It's the presence of the order that only God can establish.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
And in those times there was no peace to him that went out nor to him that came in,.... There was no safety in going…
But great vexations - Does not our Lord allude to this and the following verse in Mat 24:6, Mat 24:7, Mat 24:9, Mat…
It was a great happiness to Israel that they had prophets among them; yet, while they were thus blessed, they were…
vexations Rather, afflictions; cp. Act 12:1, "to vex (R.V. -to afflict") certain of the Church."
of the countries R.V.…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture