II Kings 10
Dear RTB’ers,
Jehu. Wow! Yes, Jehu was chosen by the Lord to cleanse Israel of its paganism. (See I Kings 19:15-16.) But he went over and above that charge. We read of his anointing yesterday: Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, I anoint you king over the people of the LORD, over Israel. And you shall strike down the house of Ahab your master, so that I may avenge on Jezebel the blood of my servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the LORD. For the whole house of Ahab shall perish, and I will cut off from Ahab every male, bond or free, in Israel. (II Kings 9:6b-8) He killed Ahab and Jezebel yesterday, and also Amaziah, the king of Judah. Today, he finishes the charge, eliminating all of Ahab’s male descendants. But in his zeal, he also kills 42 of Ahaziah’s relatives (recall that Ahaziah’s mother was Ahab’s daughter), then he goes on to a further purge of Baalism.
Although I have read these words many times before, I was “taken in” by Jehu’s statement, Ahab served Baal a little, but Jehu will serve him much. (v. 18b) However, we learn that Jehu is only deceiving the people of Samaria when his real intent is the destruction of Baal’s temple and priests and worshipers. But then, sadly, in consecutive sentences, we see the good and the bad of Jehu: Thus Jehu wiped out Baal from Israel. But Jehu did not turn aside from … the golden calves that were in Bethel and in Dan. (vv. 28-29) Having served as an instrument of the Lord, he now abandons that service and serves false gods. My guess is that Jehu’s heart never really was with the Lord, but rather with his own power, his kingship over Israel.
So now I’m wondering if Jehu’s story is also my story? I’m reflecting back to times when I’ve seen the Lord’s work in my life, when I’ve seen miracles or prayers answered, but then moved on to do my own thing. I’ll be pondering that for a while. And you…??
Blessings!
See also: May 30 (2023) / II Kings 8:16-10:36.