Scripture

2 Kings 10:10

Know, then, that not a word the Lord has spoken against the house of Ahab will fail. The Lord has done what he announced through his servant Elijah.

Observation

In both books of Kings, we see the history of the fall of Israel into exile. From the time of Solomon until the 10th chapter of 2 Kings, we see a succession of leaders who led Israel further and further from God. By the time we get to this chapter, Israel has split into two kingdoms, and Jehu, rules the north.  At first sanctioned by God to rule, his blood thirsty and brutal ways (as we get a glimpse of in this chapter) will continue the downfall of the kingdom. In this chapter however, he is God’s next chance for the Israelites to get things right. God had spoken judgment upon the former leader Ahab because of his sins. In verse 10 above, we see that God will do what God says he will do. Ahab ends up paying with his life.

Application

This is a tough passage, but it is packed with many lessons for us. First, we know that God’s patience surpasses our understanding and that his grace is unfathomable, but we also know that God’s judgment will come. It’s not necessarily that God acts against us, it’s that he finally lets us suffer the consequences of our actions. Furthermore, as both Jehu and the long line of leaders before and after him demonstrate, we are being unwise if we cannot learn from other people’s mistakes. Over generations of rulers, they all sought to gain power and riches for themselves, and they never truly sought to return the people to God. So, for us, we should strive to repent of our sins, and cling to the God that loves us so much, he sent his son to die for us, that we might be forgiven for our failures and live a new eternal life with him.

Prayer

God, please forgive us where we fail you. Help us to cling to you and heed the lessons of your Word. Thank you for your love and grace and for making a way for us to get to you through Jesus. -Amen