Fri.’s Devo - Jehu Saves Israel

Read: 2 Kings 9:14-10:31; Acts 171-34; Psalm 144:1-15; Proverbs 17:27-28 Elisha had gone to Ramoth-gilead where Israel had troops were guarding the city against Hazael of Syria. King Joram of Israel had returned to Jezreel to heal from being wounded in the war. Elisha found Jehu, and in secret, he anointed him to be the next king of Israel. Jehu’s assignment was to strike down the house of Ahab and kill every male, whether they were a servant or a free man and to avenge the blood of all God’s prophets that Jezebel had killed. *** Jehu told his men not to tell anyone he was taking the kingdom until he could get to Jezreel and kill Joram. He flew in his chariot to Jezreel. King Joram and King Ahaziah came in their chariots out to meet him. He shot Joram in the heart. *** When Ahaziah saw what Jehu did to Joram, he fled toward Beth-haggan. Jehu chased him and shot him also. He fled to Meddigo where he died. His servants carried his body to Jerusalem and buried him there. Jehu had Joram’s body thrown on the plot of ground that was Naboth’s vineyard. *** Jehu entered Jezreel and went straight to where Jezebel was. He had her thrown down from her window and the dogs drank her blood and ate most of her body before they came to bury her. Everything that happened to Jezebel and Joram had been prophesied. *** Jehu then sent letters to Samaria to the leaders of the city telling them to set up a king to fight him. They were afraid of Jehu who had killed the king of Israel and Judah and asked Jehu to be their king. He told them he would if they behead all the king’s sons. They beheaded all 70 of them and sent the heads in baskets to Jehu. He lay them in two piles by the entrance of the gate until the next day. *** The next day, Jehu stood with the heads and told the people that they were innocent of killing the kings, but they had killed his sons. Then he explained that the Lord had ordained this to happen by the words of Elijah. *** Jehu set out to go to Samaria and met 42 of Ahaziah’s relatives on the way. Jehu had them slaughtered also. Then he met Rechab and asked if he was loyal to him. Rechab said he was so Jehu told him to come with him and see his zeal for the Lord. *** Jehu gathered all the people of Samaria and sent news throughout Israel for all the worshipers of Baal to meet him so he could worship Baal with them. On the appointed day, Jehu went with them into the house of Baal and made sure there were no worshipers of the Lord present. He let them offer their sacrifices and burnt offerings, then he told the men he had stationed outside not to let one of them escape. They went in and put all the worshippers of Baal to death and brought out the pillar in the house of Baal and burnt it. They turned the temple into a public bathroom. *** Jehu rid Israel of Baal worship, but he still worshiped the gods of Jeroboam and was not careful to walk in the law of the Lord with all his heart. *** In Acts, Paul and Silas came to Thessalonica and taught at the synagogue for three Sabbaths explaining why Jesus was the Messiah. The Jews became jealous of their new converts and went to Jason’s house where they were staying to get Paul and Silas. When they didn’t find them there, they brought out Jason and some of his brothers instead. They accused them of housing Paul and Silas who were riling up the people to believe there was another king other than Caesar. *** They let Jason go on bond and the believers sent Paul and Silas to Berea by night. They went to the synagogue there and the people were much more receptive. They listened to what Paul and Silas had to say until the instigators from Thessalonica came and stirred up the crowds against them. 
 *** Paul was sent to Athens and Silas and Timothy soon joined him. At Athens, Paul began debating with the Epicureans and the philosophers. He had noticed a statue that was inscribed with “To the unknown god.” All the Atheans and foreigners would meet to discuss politics, religion and any new thought. They wanted to hear what Paul had to say. He commented about the altar of the “unknown god” and said he would speak about him. He explained that God was the creator of everything they could see. He was the only God and the only one they should worship. He created all mankind and mankind is his offspring. God doesn’t live in man-made temples but the world is his temple. All people everywhere need to repent and turn to worship him because there will be a judgment day where every man will stand before him. Many scoffed at what Paul said, but some joined him and believed. *** Lord, you are the answer to every one and every thing. May we remember that one day we will all give an account for our lives. May we make the most of the days we have to live on the earth. May Jesus be exalted through us.