Day 185 – 2 Kings 9-11

Talking Points

• God’s Word holds true to the last detail. He saw the injustice against His prophets and Naboth, and here, carries out His judgment exactly as Elijah had foretold (1 Kings 21:23). Important truths to establish in our hearts — God is faithful to keep His promises, and He upholds and executes perfect justice.
• Jehu makes a sweep of Israel and Judah, removing Baal worship and those who participate in it. He does as God leads concerning Ahab, and the LORD is pleased (10:30). Yet, his commitment was not full. Important questions to consider: Can you halfheartedly serve God? Is some commitment better than none at all? Be sure, God desires wholehearted commitment. That seems to be a rare thing.
• The Bible says, “Jehu was not careful to walk in the law of the LORD, the God of Israel, with all his heart” (10:31). While he did obey and was used by God, he still entertained some sin. The Hebrew word for “was not careful” means he did not hold to, preserve, or attend to the commands of the LORD. Instead of fiercely holding to God’s laws, Jehu let it slide. He moved away from it. Most of the time, a depart from God’s Word happens in a gradual movement, instead of a swift, abrupt denial.
• In the preservation of Joash, the promise of the “lamp” of 2 Kings 8:19 and 2 Samuel 7:12-15 holds true.

Thoughts

“So all the people of the land rejoiced and the city was quiet” (2 Kings 11:20). After years of evil monarchs in Israel and Judah, after betrayals, disfunction, chaos, massacres, wars, and idolatry, the city of Jerusalem is finally quiet. It was at peace. While I know this quiet in Jerusalem won’t last even into the next chapter, with the current events unfolding in our own nation, as I read these words, I can’t help but take a deep breath and think, “If only that could be us.”

Here’s the great part: It can be! When the people of Judah turned back to the LORD, leaving their idolatry and worshiping God, there was peace in the land, and the people rejoiced. Our answer today is the same. And, remember, God has never rejected a truly repentant people.