Steven A. Bush - January 22, 2017
Jehu Gonna Get You?
King Ahab and his pagan wife, Jezebel, were Israel's most infamous royal couple. Together they made the worship of Baal prominent and exterminated many of Yahweh's prophets. After Ahab's death, his son Joram teamed with his mother to continue their idolatry. But God's patience wore thin and He anointed a new king to purge the nation. His name was Jehu. Jehu could have coined the phrase, "take no prisoners" as he assassinated the kings of Israel and Judah, slaughtered their interrelated families, which included the brutal death of Jezebel. Then he put to death all the prophets of Baal, torched their temple, and turned it into a latrine. So much for the peaceful transition of power. Jehu was appointed by God to mete out judgment on Israel and he did so ferociously. Daniel said it well: "Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His. And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings..." But there's a far greater judgment on the horizon when all people will stand before God. Sheep verses goats, wheat verses tares, those who belong to Christ verses those who do not. For those in Christ, their judgment was executed on the cross where Jesus bore it on our behalf. But for those who reject our Lord's sacrifice, Jehu's judgment will seem like child's play. That's why we boldly preach the cross to all who would believe. So where do you stand with Christ?