Today's Reading: 2 Kings 9
2 Kings 9:6-7 (NIV) "Jehu got up and went into the house. Then the prophet poured the oil on Jehu's head and declared, 'This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: I anoint you king over the LORD's people Israel. You are to destroy the house of Ahab your master, and I will avenge the blood of my servants the prophets and the blood of all the LORD's servants shed by Jezebel. '"
Have you ever watched a movie that ended abruptly with a cliffhanger? There's no resolution. No happy ending. You're left in suspense wondering what happened to the main character. Now imagine you're told the movie's sequel will be released in 10 years. Yep, you'll have to wait at least a decade to find out how the story ends!
Second Kings 9 is like the sequel to 1 Kings 21.
More than a decade has passed since Jezebel plotted to murder Naboth and his sons so her husband, King Ahab, could have Naboth's vineyard for himself. A decade! With no justice being served for the evil carried out against an innocent man and his boys. (1 Kings 21:17-24) Not to mention the prophets of God that Jezebel had executed. (1 Kings 18:4, 13)
If we read 2 Kings 9 in isolation, we might be taken aback by the brutality described in Scripture. But when we read it in connection with the rest of the story, we see that God sent many warnings through His prophets. And yet, King Ahab's reign is recorded as the most evil reign in Israel's history. (1 Kings 21:25-26) He led God's people into the worship of Baal, and he allowed all manner of corruption within his circles of power.
Finally, it was time for his reign of terror to end, just as Elijah had prophesied years earlier. Elijah's prophecy was not only against Ahab, but also against "the house of Ahab" (1 Kings 21:21-22), which means Ahab's family. Even though King Ahab had already died, his son continued in his footsteps and his wife Jezebel — now the queen mother — also persisted in her hatred of God's ways. By now, the worship of Baal was so pervasive it was like a spiritual cancer, infecting every part of Israel, and major surgery was required.
So, God chose Jehu, an esteemed commander in Israel's army, to become the new king and destroy the house of Ahab. Jehu was God's chosen instrument of judgment. In fact, Jehu's father was Jehoshaphat, whose name means "Yahweh has judged." Remembering the word of the Lord spoken to Ahab years earlier (1 Kings 21:17-24), Jehu told his chariot officer to take the body of Ahab's son and "throw him on the field that belonged to Naboth" (2 Kings 9:25). The very place where Naboth and his sons were killed, now Ahab and Jezebel's son lay dead in the same field. Justice was more than 10 years coming.
Just when we think God no longer cares.
Just when we think God has disappeared on us.
Just when we think God has forgotten the injustice committed.
God's justice charges through, like the fury of Jehu's chariot, rushing forward, fast and furious.
Is there an area in your life where you've been forgotten and overlooked? A situation where you've been mischaracterized and maligned? A place where you feel persecuted and mistreated? A relationship that's gone sideways and sour?
If God feels distant and aloof in the midst of a difficult trial, take heart my friend, because you're not alone. There's something about those spiritual winter seasons that allow for seeds of hope to burrow deep into our souls, waiting for the right moment to announce new life. God has not forgotten you. He sees you, and He knows every detail you're going through. And He promises never to leave you. When the wait is long, He's right there with you, through it all.
Prayer: Thank You, Lord, that Your words are always faithful and true. You always come through on Your promises. Even when the years seem long, and the hope of justice seems to fade with each passing year, help me to remember that with You, "a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day" (2 Peter 3:8). You are the Creator of time, and You exist eternally outside our earthly notions of time. When I'm looking for justice, help me to look solely to You, trusting that Your purposes are working according to Your great plan. I love You, Lord, for You are just and worthy of all trust. In Jesus' name, amen.
To anoint a new king while the current king was still alive was risky business. Such an act could be viewed as treason, which is possibly why Elisha chose a less conspicuous prophet to anoint Jehu. A lesser-known prophet wouldn't draw as much attention. Read More