[2KG:9:1-37]; [2KG:10:1-36].
Lesson 317 - Senior
Memory Verse
"Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil" (Ecclesiastes 8:11).
Cross References
I The Anointing of Jehu
1. Elisha sent a young man of the prophets to anoint Jehu king over Israel, [2KG:9:1-3]; [1KG:19:15-17]. 2. The errand was accomplished according to Elisha's explicit directions, [2KG:9:4-10]. 3. The captains of the host recognised Jehu's new office, and helped advance God's cause, [2KG:9:11-14].II The Downfall of Ahab's House
1. Jehu commenced his work for the Lord swiftly and without hesitation, [2KG:9:15-20]. 2. Joram and Ahaziah were the first to fall, [2KG:9:21-29]; [2KG:8:25-27]. 3. Jezebel was thrown down for her wickedness and sins, [2KG:9:30-37]; [1KG:21:23]. 4. The seventy sons of Ahab were slain in Samaria, [2KG:10:1-10]. 5. The destruction of Ahab's house was complete, [2KG:10:11-17]; [1KG:21:21-22].III The Destruction of Baal-Worship
1. Jehu called all the worshipers of Baal to the house of Baal, [2KG:10:18-22]. 2. Search was made among the worshipers to determine that none but Baalites were present, [2KG:10:23]. 3. Every worshiper of Baal was slain, and Baal's house destroyed, [2KG:10:24-28].IV Reward of Obedience
1. God promised that Jehu's children of the fourth generation would sit upon Israel's throne, because Jehu did the work that God outlined, [2KG:10:29-36].Notes
"Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?" [EZE:18:23]). God's decree of mercy to sinful man has been proclaimed throughout the earth, but those who refuse this mercy and rebel against God's authority will be brought to account for their sins. Mercy abused is mercy refused. "But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the LORD, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up" [1KG:21:25]). This sin of idolatry and the rebellion of Ahab and his family could not be overlooked by a just and holy God; therefore the house of Ahab was marked for complete destruction. The commission was given to Elijah to anoint Hazael to be king over Syria, Jehu to be king over Israel, and Elisha to be prophet: "And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay" [1KG:19:17]).No Sincere Repentance
The people of Ahab's household were given every opportunity to repent. A span of twenty or more years elapsed between the giving of this commission and its complete fulfilment. Ahab humbled himself and went softly for a time after the stoning of Naboth, but his humility did not go deep enough to turn the tide of judgment -" it brought only a delay of judgment [1KG:21:27-29]). Had Ahab's repentance been sincere, coming from the depth of his heart and causing him to turn completely from his evil ways, there can be little doubt that the story of his life and household would have had an entirely different ending. The tragic example of Ahab's shameful living was followed wholeheartedly by his sons and daughters. Vast is the influence that parents have over their children. God's charge and desires is that parents bring up their children "in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." The parental example, godly and above reproach of sin, will cause many sons and daughters to follow in the way of godliness [PRO:22:6]). God's mercy will not hold out forever in the face of sin. The reckoning day for Ahab's sinful household arrived suddenly, just as it will surely arrive for every sinner who will not repent of his evil ways and doings.Jehu's Call and Commission
The avenging "sword of the LORD" that fell suddenly upon Ahab's posterity was held in Jehu's hand. Elisha sent one of the young prophets with a box of oil to anoint the new king and also to give Jehu the solemn charge that he should be the instrument to bring about the end of the wicked. The young man found Jehu in Ramoth-gilead, assembled with the other captains of the host. Jehu was called aside from the soldiers; the message was delivered to him; and the oil of kingly anointing was poured upon his head. The young man fled as soon as his errand was completed, leaving Jehu alone with his thoughts and tremendous responsibility. Whether Jehu knew beforehand that this would be his task, is not known. Regardless, the commission was from God, and it would require God's help and power to perform it successfully. The immensity of the charge probably awed Jehu at its presentation, and caused him to wonder how it could be accomplished; but God soon answered any questions and opened the way for the speedy fulfilment of His commands. Jehu may have prayed, as surely he should have done. Many are the souls who have answered the call of God since Jehu's day -" not to destroy life, but to proclaim the Gospel message of life-giving salvation. God is still calling and commissioning men and women who will volunteer for His army and service. The truly successful soldiers are those who wait upon Him in much prayer.Recognition
The captains of the host were not slow in acclaiming Jehu as king. They hasted and took every man his garment and put it under Jehu on the top of some prominent stairs in Ramoth-gilead, and blew with trumpets declaring the new king. Jehu took the captains of the host into his confidence, conferring with them as to the best possible action to take. Together, they decided that no man should be allowed to escape out of the city to run with the message to Jezreel where Ahab's son, Joram, king of Israel, was recovering from Syrian-inflicted wounds. Jehu waned to take Joram by surprise, and quickly organised a company of charioteers to bring about that end. The watchman on the tower of Jezreel spied the company of Jehu coming, but they were so far away he could not identify them. A horseman was dispatched to ride to the company to identify them and find out their errand. Jehu ordered the messenger to fall in with his company. The watchman related the happenings to the king, and a second horseman was sent out. The same scene was repeated, but by that time the watchman could identify the leader of the company as Jehu, "for he driveth furiously." (Many modern Jehus are to be seen in this age of horseless carriages, but driving furiously never has, nor ever will, add anything favourable to a man's reputation.)End of the Wicked
Joram had his chariot made ready to go and meet Jehu. Ahaziah, king of Judah and a relative of the household of Ahab, went with Joram. Each in his separate chariot, they met Jehu in that portion of land that had belonged to Naboth. Joram asked, "Is it peace, Jehu?" He answered "What peace, so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many?" [2KG:9:22]). Joram realized that his day of reckoning had come, and he turned to flee; but the arrow directed by the Lord smote him between the arms and through his heart. Jehu ordered that the body be cast upon the plat of ground whereon he died, that the innocent blood of Naboth and the blood of his sons might be avenged. Ahaziah saw the death of Joram, and he, too, tried to make his escape; but Jehu and his men followed and smote him in his chariot. He died at Megiddo, but was carried to Jerusalem by his servants and buried there. Had Ahaziah been content to stay in Jerusalem and worship the God of his fathers there, this fate would not have been his. The truth bears repeating: evil communications corrupt good manners, morals, and men. If we would live for God, we must separate our hearts and affections from everything that is worldly and sinful. Jezebel was next in line to feel the vengeance of the Lord God of Heaven. She was defiant to the Law of God, and a rebel against God to her last breath. One would think that she would seek out a hiding place for herself when Jehu entered Jezreel; but instead, she painted her vain face and decorated her head, to appear to Jehu boldly and greet him with impudent speech. No doubt she tried to intimidate Jehu and make her way out of this predicament, as she has so capably done on previous occasions. Jezebel was, and is, the personification of evil. God gave her time to repent, but she repented not. The things God hates: "a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren" [PRO:6:17-19]), were found in Jezebel. If one sin in Jezebel stood out above the others, it was the shedding of innocent blood; for thus her indictment read: "Thou shalt smite the house of Ahab thy master, that I may avenge the blood of my servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the LORD, at the hand of Jezebel" [2KG:9:7]). Pride also took its toll in Jezebel's life. "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall" [PRO:16:18]). Jezebel fell. Two or three eunuchs threw her down from the window, and the horses of Jehu's men trod her underfoot.Jehu's Reward
The explicit commission that God gave to Jehu was accomplished to the last detail. Jehu's zeal abated not until the last man of Ahab's wicked household was thrown down. Jehu went even farther than God's express command to him, for through subtilty he destroyed the worship of Baal -" the reigning sin of Israel. Baal had been the downfall of Ahab's house, but Jehu determined it would not be the downfall of his house. For all this work God rewarded Jehu, promising that Jehu's children of the fourth generation would sit on the throne of Israel. "But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the LORD God of Israel with all his heart: for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, which made Israel to sin" [2KG:10:31]). Jehu was a very zealous man, but the above statement shows that his zeal abated when the Word of God crossed his own plans and ambitions. He could drive furiously to perform the portion of God's commission that would benefit his own cause, but he stopped short of doing the whole will of God. Some forms of the idolatrous worship of Jeroboam were retained and caused the final overthrow of Jehu's house. Jehu's work for God pertained to earthly things; he failed to perform his spiritual obligations; therefore his rewards were of an earthly nature.Whole Will of God
Many so-called Christians live zealously by that part of the Word of God that suits their case, but they find an excuse for laying aside the portion of the Word that points out their failure and sin. They willingly put away the sins that are hated, but the little pet sins they cherish and roll under their tongues as sweet morsels. Service for the Lord is not wholly accepted unless his commands are wholly followed out. To find true success, the seeker after God must believe the whole Word of God and go all the way, or he will fail of the heavenly reward in the end. There is danger, when engaged in Christian service, of our doing the work with zeal that suits our purpose or that is interesting to us, but disdaining the work that is distasteful or uncongenial. The man who is truly consecrated and used by the Lord will become more and more useful in all lines of Gospel work. Most men are bound with limitations of one sort or another, and they are prone to use these factors as excuses for not launching out in the Lord's work; but the Lord has the power to overcome such handicaps and transform them into useful instruments in His hands. God can take the one-talent Christian and mould him into a many-talent Christian. As the ray of sunlight shining through the transparent prism shows by refraction the eight primary colours, so the Light of God shining through prismatic Christians will make visible to the world numerous aspects of God's grace not ordinarily visible to their sin-blinded eyes.