2 Kings 10

Bible Passage:  2 Kings 10

We will grow old and pass on.

Last Saturday was a sad day for Singapore. Mdm Kwa Geok Choo – some call the mother of modern Singapore – MM Lee’s wife had passed on. Through various broadcasting media, we read of contributions she had made as Singapore’s founding father’s dedicated wife and equal. We learnt of acts of love, charity, impartiality, a nurturing spirit and ardent support for her family and her husband’s political cause.

The media reported that she was fondly remembered by family, friends, subordinates and associates.

What are your thoughts as you read chapter 10 today? King Ahab too had passed on, but instead of a good legacy, he left behind a trail of blood as King Jehu carried out God’s instructions to kill Ahab’s entire clan.

Heads in Baskets

That was what became of King Ahab’s seventy sons as reigning King Jehu ordered his supporters to annihilate all of Ahab’s family and worshippers of Baal.

King Ahab’s defiant behaviour and pride during his time cost his sons their lives. We have read of his callous and evil acts in 1 Kings 16-22:

(1)    Did even greater evil than his father King Omri

(2)    Married Jezebel, worshipper of Baal and Asherah

(3)    Formed a political alliance by marrying Jezebel

(4)    Supported and sponsored his wife’s worship of the idols

(5)    Led the country in idol worship which consisted of prostitution, homosexuality, sacrificial killing of children as offerings to the idols

(6)    Sought the advice of prophets of these idols instead of prophets of God

(7)    Defied the advice given by prophet Micaiah, preferring to feed his ego and to listen to his own desires

(8)    Blatantly went against God’s purpose and made God angry

(9)    Blind to the kindness and chances God has given him to turn back

As I read this chapter recording the vast bloodshed one man rendered to his entire household, family, allies and even his future generations, I can’t help but feel that I have to be more responsible about my faith.

“…The effective, fervent prayer of the righteous man avails much.”

(James 5:16)

“Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever.”

(Dan 12:3)

Do not take lightly the word of God

“Know now that nothing shall fall to the earth of the word of the LORD which the LORD spoke concerning the house of Ahab; for the LORD has done what He spoke by His servant Elijah. “

(2 Kings 10:10)

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.”

(Matt 24:35)

“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.”

(Is 40:8)

God left His advice, promises and judgements in the Bible for us to read and act upon. Do we take heed? If we act upon His words and renew ourselves, we are saved. That is the power of His words. If we choose to ignore his words, or like the people in the period of the kings, blatantly doing things against God’s instructions, God’s words will be fulfilled all the same. But this time, it is the judgement of God’s words that will fall upon us.

King Jehu pleased God by acting on His instructions to kill Ahab, his household and wiping out all worshippers of Baal. It was a pity he later continued in his idol worship of the golden calves and made God angry. He may have carried out instructions from God, but he did not understand God’s greater intent of eradicating all idol worship. God wanted His people to worship Him alone, not Baal, not Asherah, not the golden calves, not any other powerless lifeless man-made image. The word of God did not dwell in Jehu enough for wisdom to take root.

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace to your hearts to the Lord.”

(Col 3:16)