Destruction: A Study in 2 KingsSample

What does it say?

Jehu fulfilled Elijah’s prophecy regarding the destruction of Ahab’s descendants. He then destroyed Baal worship in Israel but didn’t follow the Lord with all of his heart.

What does it mean?

God used Jehu to judge the prophets of Baal, but his actions viciously exceeded His orders. Rather than stop at what the prophet of the Lord had commanded him to do, Jehu slaughtered anyone from the house of Ahab or Ahaziah who could threaten his reign (Hosea 1:4). His zeal for the Lord became a personal ambition. He also failed to remove the final obstacles between Israel and proper worship of the Lord – the golden calves in Dan and Bethel. Jehu was rewarded for his obedience but failed to receive God’s full blessing because he only offered a part of himself to the Lord.

How should I respond?

We sometimes get our ideas regarding how to serve the Lord. Like Jehu, we may start doing as God has told us to do, but somehow we get caught up in a desire for recognition. Seeking to gain status in ministry leads us off the path God intended. The key to staying on track is to commit your whole heart to obey God’s commands. Start by eliminating known sins from your life. In what areas are you stopping short of complete obedience? How are you exceeding His directions based on your desires? Partial obedience is still disobedience and will not result in God’s full blessing.