Saturday, March 16, 2024

2 Kings 10:11

2 Kings 10:11 says, 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.  Jehu killed all of Ahab's descendants.  God had said his house would be cut off, and it was.  Our sins will always separate us from God, and the only way to avoid everlasting separation is to accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord.  Of course, no matter what our parents may do, whether good or bad, it is up to us individually to accept or reject Jesus Christ.  Verse twelve adds, And he arose and departed, and came to Samaria. And as he was at the shearing house in the way,  After all of Ahab's descendants were destroyed, Jehu went back to Samaria, stopping at a shearing house along the way.  After we have done something for God, our life will normally continue on as usual.  Verse thirteen continues, Jehu met with the brethren of Ahaziah king of Judah, and said, Who are ye? And they answered, We are the brethren of Ahaziah; and we go down to salute the children of the king and the children of the queen.  Jehu met some of the kin folks of Ahaziah who were on their way to meet with and seek the favor of those of the house of Ahab.  People of the world still often seek to gain favor of those who are in power, even if they are doing evil in the sight of God.  Verse fourteen states, And he said, Take them alive. And they took them alive, and slew them at the pit of the shearing house, even two and forty men; neither left he any of them.  Jehu told his troops to take them alive and then all forty-two were killed at the pit in the shearing house.  They had thought being related to Ahab would make them more important, but it got them killed instead.  Being related to those in power who are not following God's will never makes anyone more important, and if they follow them in going against God and worshipping false god, it may lead to spiritual death if they do not repent and turn to God.  Verse fifteen adds, And when he was departed thence, he lighted on Jehonadab the son of Rechab coming to meet him: and he saluted him, and said to him, Is thine heart right, as my heart is with thy heart? And Jehonadab answered, It is. If it be, give me thine hand. And he gave him his hand; and he took him up to him into the chariot.  Continuing on his way, Jehu encountered Jehonadab and asked him if his heart was right as Jehu's was, and Jehonadab said it was.  Matthew Henry says Jehonadab was there to encourage Jehu in his work for God.  We need to have people who are devoted to God to encourage us today, just as we should encourage others.  Jehu invited him to join him in his chariot.  We also should invite other Christians to join us as we do God's work today.  Verse sixteen continues, And he said, Come with me, and see my zeal for the Lord. So they made him ride in his chariot.  Jehu invited Jehonadab to come and see his zeal in doing God's work.  I don't believe that we should ever ask people to acknowledge us as being something great as we do what God has called us to do but should always give God the credit and glory.  Verse seventeen concludes, And when he came to Samaria, he slew all that remained unto Ahab in Samaria, till he had destroyed him, according to the saying of the Lord, which he spake to Elijah.  When he got to Samaria, he killed the rest of those related to Ahab, fulfilling God's prophesy through Elijah.  God's word will always come to pass, no matter how long it takes for it to happen.  Verse eighteen declares, And Jehu gathered all the people together, and said unto them, Ahab served Baal a little; but Jehu shall serve him much.  Jehu called all the people together and told them that Ahab had served Baal a little, but he would serve him a lot.  Matthew Henry said he did this to deceive the prophets of Baal, but that we as Christians should never attempt to defeat those who oppose God by lying to them.  We should instead always share the truth of God.  Verse nineteen adds, Now therefore 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.  As just discussed, Jehu called the prophets of Baal together, saying he was going to do a great sacrifice to Baal.  Also has just discussed, we are not called to kill non-believers but to call them to salvation, not based on lies, but on the truth of God.  We cannot deceive people to have them accept salvation, nor should we make it our purpose to destroy those who don't accept God's gift of salvation.  Verse twenty continues, And Jehu said, Proclaim a solemn assembly for Baal. And they proclaimed it.  Jehu had them call for a solemn assembly to honor Baal.  We should never give any honor and glory to any false god but should always just proclaim the truth of God.  Verse twenty-one says, 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.  All those who worshipped Baal gathered in his temple.  We will never get all those who worship other gods together in one place, because they worship too many false gods.  Still, one day God will indeed gather them on His Judgment Day.  Verse twenty-two adds, 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.  Jehu then had all the worshippers of Baal put on vestments that identified them.  We will never be able to identify all those who worship false gods by the way they look, though we might be able to somewhat identify them by what they wear.  Of course, we are not called on to judge and destroy non-believers but are called on to share the gospel with them instead.  Verse twenty-three continues, And Jehu went, and Jehonadab the son of Rechab, into the house of Baal, and said unto the worshippers of Baal, Search, and look that there be here with you none of the servants of the Lord, but the worshippers of Baal only.  Jehu told Jehonadab to make sure that none of God's servants were with those worshipping Baal.  We should never act in a way that makes it seem that we are worshipping anyone but God.

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