Click to read 2 Kings 9
Synopsis
The Lord had told Elijah how Jehu, Hazael and Elisha would be God's hand of judgment upon those who worshiped Baal (1 Kings 19:15-17). When Jehu became king, he carried out what seemed to be a very harsh action to hunt down and kill ALL those who were in Ahab's household. Everyone linked to Ahab was killed, including his servants. However, there was a Godly reason behind that.
What Elijah proclaimed 20 years earlier about Ahab, Jezebel and those who worshiped Baal came to pass. It started with the killing of Joram, Ahaziah and ending with Ahab, Jezebel and all the ministers of Baal.
Major Verses
V6-10 - Ahab's entire household had to be executed. This seemed harsh, but that would be the only way to stop Israel from continuing to sinfully worship Baal which Ahab and Jezebel led Israel to do. Their sinfulness was destroying the nation. If Israel was to be saved, all followers of Baal must be eliminated. Jehu was fulfilling the need of the hour.
What I learn
While God is merciful to forgive, sin has its consequences and demands payment. In the case of Ahab, his refusal to repent eventually led to his entire household being eliminated. Let's ask God daily to keep our heart from sinning and to live right for Him.
V11-13 - When Jehu's officer heard that the prophet had proclaimed the he was anointed to be king of Israel, they did not doubt that proclamation. They showed their respect and loyalty to Jehu immediately.
What I learn
The officers of Jehu heard what God said and believed without doubt. When God speaks, we must listen and obey without doubt too.
V17-19 - How Jehu answered Joram's messengers' "Do you come in peace?" is very interesting and we have much to learn. Jehu rebutted with "What do you have to do with peace ?" revealed what real peace is meant to be. Peace can come only from God. Peace is not real or genuine unless it is rooted in the belief that God exists and that God loves us. Joram who did not worship God cannot have peace, and knowing that the messengers represented a wicked and unrepentant king, he rebutted with "What do you know about peace?".
What I learn
There is no peace without our acknowledgment of God and His love. Many people struggle in their quest to find peace because they miss this important pre-requisite; peace comes only from knowing and letting God love us. Try it...it really works!
V25-26 - Joram was thrown onto the very ground that Ahab and Jezebel had unlawfully possessed years ago, when they murdered Naboth and his family (1 Kings 21:1-24). Jehu remembered the words of Elijah when he proclaimed judgment upon Ahab for that crime.
What I learn
God is Jehovah Jireh, our Provider. What we need, He supplies and do so in abundance. There is no place for envy and greed in our lives. Let's trust and depend on Him completely and not put things in our own hands like Ahab and Jezebel did.
V30-33 - Jezebel met her end as predicted by Elijah. When she called Jehu "Zimri", she was accusing him of treachery as did Zimri, a commander of the past. However, Jehu stood his ground and asked the eunuchs to declare their loyalty - to him or to Jezebel. The eunuchs obeyed Jehu's instructions to throw Jezebel to her death.
What I learn
Jezebel paid for her sins with death. The price of sin is death. Thank God that Christ came and paid that price for us. Hallelujah!.
When the eunuchs declared their loyalty to Jehu, they had to demonstrate it by obeying Jehu's instruction. Similarly, when we declared our allegiance and love for God, we must use our actions to demonstrate our true intentions - by obeying Him.
Summary
Sin brings about definite consequence. But God is merciful and gracious to those who genuinely repent and acknowledge His love. Our declaration of love and allegiance to God must be demonstrated in our obedience to Him daily.
Up next .... Coming up on 26th, we learn from the execution of Ahab's sons and all the ministers of Baal.
Please share your learning with the rest by clicking "Comment".
Synopsis
The Lord had told Elijah how Jehu, Hazael and Elisha would be God's hand of judgment upon those who worshiped Baal (1 Kings 19:15-17). When Jehu became king, he carried out what seemed to be a very harsh action to hunt down and kill ALL those who were in Ahab's household. Everyone linked to Ahab was killed, including his servants. However, there was a Godly reason behind that.
What Elijah proclaimed 20 years earlier about Ahab, Jezebel and those who worshiped Baal came to pass. It started with the killing of Joram, Ahaziah and ending with Ahab, Jezebel and all the ministers of Baal.
Major Verses
V6-10 - Ahab's entire household had to be executed. This seemed harsh, but that would be the only way to stop Israel from continuing to sinfully worship Baal which Ahab and Jezebel led Israel to do. Their sinfulness was destroying the nation. If Israel was to be saved, all followers of Baal must be eliminated. Jehu was fulfilling the need of the hour.
What I learn
While God is merciful to forgive, sin has its consequences and demands payment. In the case of Ahab, his refusal to repent eventually led to his entire household being eliminated. Let's ask God daily to keep our heart from sinning and to live right for Him.
V11-13 - When Jehu's officer heard that the prophet had proclaimed the he was anointed to be king of Israel, they did not doubt that proclamation. They showed their respect and loyalty to Jehu immediately.
What I learn
The officers of Jehu heard what God said and believed without doubt. When God speaks, we must listen and obey without doubt too.
V17-19 - How Jehu answered Joram's messengers' "Do you come in peace?" is very interesting and we have much to learn. Jehu rebutted with "What do you have to do with peace ?" revealed what real peace is meant to be. Peace can come only from God. Peace is not real or genuine unless it is rooted in the belief that God exists and that God loves us. Joram who did not worship God cannot have peace, and knowing that the messengers represented a wicked and unrepentant king, he rebutted with "What do you know about peace?".
What I learn
There is no peace without our acknowledgment of God and His love. Many people struggle in their quest to find peace because they miss this important pre-requisite; peace comes only from knowing and letting God love us. Try it...it really works!
V25-26 - Joram was thrown onto the very ground that Ahab and Jezebel had unlawfully possessed years ago, when they murdered Naboth and his family (1 Kings 21:1-24). Jehu remembered the words of Elijah when he proclaimed judgment upon Ahab for that crime.
What I learn
God is Jehovah Jireh, our Provider. What we need, He supplies and do so in abundance. There is no place for envy and greed in our lives. Let's trust and depend on Him completely and not put things in our own hands like Ahab and Jezebel did.
V30-33 - Jezebel met her end as predicted by Elijah. When she called Jehu "Zimri", she was accusing him of treachery as did Zimri, a commander of the past. However, Jehu stood his ground and asked the eunuchs to declare their loyalty - to him or to Jezebel. The eunuchs obeyed Jehu's instructions to throw Jezebel to her death.
What I learn
Jezebel paid for her sins with death. The price of sin is death. Thank God that Christ came and paid that price for us. Hallelujah!.
When the eunuchs declared their loyalty to Jehu, they had to demonstrate it by obeying Jehu's instruction. Similarly, when we declared our allegiance and love for God, we must use our actions to demonstrate our true intentions - by obeying Him.
Summary
Sin brings about definite consequence. But God is merciful and gracious to those who genuinely repent and acknowledge His love. Our declaration of love and allegiance to God must be demonstrated in our obedience to Him daily.
Up next .... Coming up on 26th, we learn from the execution of Ahab's sons and all the ministers of Baal.
Please share your learning with the rest by clicking "Comment".
In Ephesians 4, Paul reminded us that "in your anger, do not sin" as the devil will get a foothold in this. This is absolutely so true of us and those described in the Bible. We simply cannot imagine what we are sinfully capable of whenever we goes into a rage. It is a simple reminder for us to reconcile with our spouse or loved ones before the sun goes down lest we allow our sinful hearts to manifest our devil's wishes over time.
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