2nd Kings 10 LIP SERVICE It is true that Jehu was anointed by the prophet and appointed by God to bring an end to the wickedness Ahab and his family brought on Israel and Judah. As he carried out this task, he took control of all the events surrounding it for his own personal and political advantage. The massacre at Jezreel and Samaria, and the senseless slaughter of all whom had anything to do with Ahab went way beyond justice being carried out, to the own personal ambition of Jehu. He had been a servant of Ahab's family himself.
People have historically used the name of God as justification to carry out atrocities and condone their oppression of others. This is done in the name of "religion" but it is not the judgment of God but the use of force by people to gain political and personal ends. It is true so-called "Christians" have done terrible things, but that is not biblical Christianity. The leaders of Jezreel and Samaria were terrified of Jehu and carried out his demands, but he was the one responsible for going to the extremes that followed. It extended to leaders, friends, acquaintances and priests which was beyond the responsibility Jehu had been given by God.
Jehu could say the blame for the slaughter was on the leaders of Samaria, but that did not change the fact that he was the one who gave the orders. Shifting blame and responsibility for acts of wickedness is practiced by everyone. People look for ways to avoid the consequences of their own actions. To confess and forsake sin is not a common action taken by people unless they are found guilty by a power higher than themselves. Admission of guilt and taking responsibility for it and the consequences that follow. is the first step of repentance that leads to salvation.
The prophecy of Elijah and Elisha regarding the house of Ahab was fulfilled by the leadership of Jehu. In his "zeal for the Lord" he did bring judgment on the worshippers of Baal who had spread their insidious doctrine throughout the nation of Israel. Jehonadab and those of the conservative movement who followed the practice of separation from idol worship, materialism and intoxication by wine, were called upon to witness the cleansing of the nation from Baalism. However, Jehu did not destroy the golden calves Israel had worshipped as representations of God. As good as it may be to stop the practice of wickedness in others that leads to idolatry, it is still not right to follow a counterfeit Christianity. We are not given the right to determine how we can please the Lord based on our opinions. He has given plain information and instructions as to the way to live, to work and to worship Him.
Jehu did not want those of Israel going to Judah to worship at the temple. Jeroboam had made the golden calves in the first place to keep those of the northern tribes at home. Jehu followed "the sins of Jeroboam." He was commended by the Lord for doing what he did to the house of Ahab, so his family was able to rule Israel for one hundred years. However, his heart was not right with the Lord. We can denounce the wrongs of others and take a stand for righteousness, but if our own sins have not been faced and dealt with, we are merely instruments of righteousness rather than servants of the living God.
The decline of the nation began slowly as the years passed. A little bit of Israel's land was lost here and there as Israel began to shrink in size. There are consequences for sin that are dramatic and powerful. They often happen at once. There are other consequences that whittle away at our testimony just a little at a time so that we get used to that loss gradually. One practice that was used to further the work of the Lord may be abandoned because it seems unproductive and a waste of time. It becomes inconvenient to attend a prayer meeting in the middle of the week. Extended Gospel activity takes too much of our time, "After all, God can save people in one week the same as He can in six weeks," is a common comment.
Jehu did what God wanted and for that he was commended. But he went beyond that and took matters into his own hands and for that he was denounced. He started out as a servant but became merely a hard- hearted man doing things for his own ends. His interest in carrying out spiritual goals was only a means to fulfill his political and personal ambitions. He did what was right but for the wrong reasons, and much of what he did was in a wrong way. He knew the law of God and what was expected of him, but his heart was not in it and he chose to act on his own initiative. He knew what was wrong and did it anyway because it suited his purposes.
Jehu ended up as one who had to pay tribute to the Assyrian leader as his kingdom began to shrink around him. It is possible for a child of God to pay lip-service to the Lord and still do his own things in his own way for his own self-interests. But payday does come and that which we do for personal and materialistic gain will not last, nor does it bring satisfaction. It is possible for one to do "Christian" things and be part of a Christian church, and not be a Christian. Lip-service for such a person can be done for a lifetime and that person can still lose their soul in hell. We must examine our hearts and our motives behind our actions. We must judge ourselves and make sure what we are not guilty of self-deception. We must make sure that what we do in service for the Lord is according to God's will and word, not our own interpretation of divine things.
2Kings 10:31. “But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the Lord God of Israel with all his heart: for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, which made Israel to sin.” TOOK NO HEED. All is not well when difficulties come, And those who lead are not there To take the responsibilities God gave to them, And the defense of truth shoulder and bear.
All is not well when tensions arise Between saints and the problem is left unsolved. For the tensions increase and people take sides, Until it is dealt with and justice is served.
All is not well when in a company of people Accusations are made that lead to divisions, And instead of pointing out and avoiding the cause, The offenders incite a serious schism.
All is not well if sin is not faced And correction is not carried out in God’s way. For sin has a way of infecting the whole – Like leaven, sin soon carries the day.
All is not well when without God’s approval We hasten to act in the flesh. And what we had hoped to attain has failed, Because our will and God’s will did not mesh.
All is not well until sin is confessed,
And we turn and obey the voice of God. Then we find God has long been waiting for us To submit to Christ’s lordship and His Word.
“I know nothing good can come, O God, when Thy truth and Thy will are ignored. May I always be ready to learn and act on Thy leading without being unduly influenced by pressures put upon me by the will of man – mine or anyone else’s. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”