One thing that we will never understand is God’s will. However, we simply accept it and give Him praise. The verses in 2 Kings 10 may seem hard to understand, based on all the bloodshed, but we know that it was the right thing to see the wicked die because of their unbelief. If they had just repented, then maybe they would not have been spared and not died in this fashion. However, we know that God’s wrath is upon the wicked. Only those who repent and follow the Lord, who is the one true God, will find mercy and forgiveness for their soul. However, for the children of Ahab and the worshippers of Baal, their sentence and judgment were already set in stone, as you will see in this chapter. We learn that King Jehu was the one casting judgment and death by the sword, in fulfillment of what was spoken of him in 2 Kings 9. For some of those who were killed, we have the seventy sons of Ahab, who lived in Samaria. It reads, 1“so Jehu slew all that remained of the house of Ahab in Jezreel, and all his great men, and his kinsfolks, and his priests, until he left him none remaining.” (2 Kings 10:11) What was their crime? It was because of Ahab that even his household was judged because of what he did. Ahab’s sin was severe, in that he caused the people to worship Baal. He even set up prophets and priests to Baal. Unfortunately, God’s mercy was not for these sons or the family of Ahab. And you can relate this to people who bow down to false gods now, like Buddha and Hindu gods. They may not see judgment in this life, but will in death. Lest they repent and come to Jesus before their last breath. This leads us to who else had to suffer death by the sword in this chapter. Along with the house of Ahab, he then went after the false prophets and priests of Baal and also any of the worshippers.
The way Jehu went to exterminate all the believers of Baal was to trick them into believing he was for Baal worship. It is recorded that he said, 1“call unto me all the prophets of Baal, all his servants, and all his priests; let none be wanting: for I have a great sacrifice to do to Baal; whosoever shall be wanting, he shall not live. But Jehu did it in subtilty, to the intent that he might destroy the worshippers of Baal. And Jehu said, Proclaim a solemn assembly for Baal. And they proclaimed it. And Jehu sent through all Israel: and all the worshippers of Baal came, so that there was not a man left that came not. And they came into the house of Baal; and the house of Baal was full from one end to another. And he said unto him that was over the vestry, Bring forth vestments for all the worshippers of Baal. And he brought them forth vestments.” (2 Kings 10:19-22) Then, after everyone began to sacrifice and worship Baal, a great slaughter began. Even by Jehu’s mouth, it was 1“said to the guard and to the captains, Go in, and slay them; let none come forth. And they smote them with the edge of the sword; and the guard and the captains cast them out, and went to the city of the house of Baal. And they brought forth the images out of the house of Baal, and burned them. And they brake down the image of Baal, and brake down the house of Baal, and made it a draught house unto this day. Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel. God even said that he did 1“which is right in mine eyes.” (2 Kings 10:30) However, it later says that he did not 1“walk in the law of the Lord God of Israel with all his heart”. (2 Kings 10:31) Therefore, he fell into sin before his death. It is sad that all this bloodshed had to take place. However, this is an example of God’s wrath upon the wicked. Even in Jesus’s second coming, the wicked will be destroyed with even bloodshed than this. So we ought to repent now before it is too late.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that more people in our day will stop making images, statues, people, and things their gods. Every idol worshipper will not inherit Your kingdom, so to these people, we must call them to repentance. That they will worship only You, Lord, as their one true God. Anything else needs to be exterminated out of their lives, lest they experience the second death in the lake of fire. Lord, I pray that Your will, will be done, no matter the consequences upon the wicked. Surely, the wicked will perish in their unbelief, lest they repent and be right in Your sight. I pray that more people will do this and come to You before it is too late. It is my desire to see many more souls be saved and go to heaven when they die. I know that hell is filling up every minute of every day, because of those people who are dying. So I pray that fewer people will have to go there in the near future. Surely, people do not have to experience torment and pain in the life to come, if they would just decide to follow You, Jesus. All that matters is that people begin to seek You and not the world, and then You can do a mighty work in their lives. Even every false belief can be cast out, and Your true teachings of the Bible can bring forth fruit in their hearts. Thank You for dying for our sins. Thank You for making a way for salvation to come to more people. If people of all walks of life would simply call upon Your Name, then they would be saved from death to life. I am saved, because of the sacrifice You made on the cross. You have heard my cries and have had compassion for my soul. I may have been a vile sinner, but You have cleansed me and washed me of all my sins. You have torn from my life all idols and every unclean thing, that I might serve You valiantly. Thank You, Lord. All I desire to do heed Your will from here on out. No matter what it is, I will go forth and do it. Your ways are higher and lead us on the path to eternal life. I love You, Lord. I give You praise and glory, this day and forever. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
