Today I read 2 Kings 10, in which Jehu destroyed Ahab’s kin and massacred the Baal worshippers to show his zeal for God. Today I considered that Jehu used openness and trickery in his zeal for God, and was rewarded through four generations of his family.
Zeal for God
Jehu was passionate and open about destroying Ahab’s lineage for God (2 Kings 10:1-17). Jehu wrote to the elders and the people who raised Ahab’s seventy sons to tell them to get ready to fight for their master’s house. They were afraid and said they would follow Jehu. Jehu responded by telling them to kill Ahab’s sons and send their heads to Jezreel. Jehu put the heads in two piles at the city gate showing others betrayed their master. Jehu went to Samaria, saw the relatives of Ahaziah king of Judah and killed them. Jehu met Jehonadab the son of Rechab while riding in his chariot and had him watch his zeal for God in killing all those remaining from Ahab. We cannot be surprised at the passion and zeal we and others feel for God.
Destruction of Baal
Jehu used trickery to get all of the Baal worshipers together and destroy them for God (2 Kings 18-31). Jehu gathered everyone and said he was going to serve Baal and make a great sacrifice. Jehu had all the worshippers of Baal throughout Israel gather in the house of Baal and put on special vestments. He made sure no worshippers of the Lord were present. After the Baal worshippers offered sacrifices and burnt offerings, Jehu had them killed. Jehu had the images and house of Baal destroyed. Jehu still committed sins from the time of Jeroboam and did not walk in the law of the Lord. God rewarded Jehu’s action and his zeal for God by having his children reign for four generations. God does reward His children for their actions even if they are not perfect in what they are doing.
Questions and Thoughts for Today
God can bless our lineage through generations because of our actions today.
What blessings have you seen an individual receive that were received because of prior generations?