A Wild Ride
We have had some interesting weather today. So far not the heavy snow that has been predicted. Mostly wind, rain and snow flurries. This morning I joined with my Larimer Energy Action team in taping a video for a cable TV project we are working on. I am eager to see how it turns out and the response we get from potential funders.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… Again the watchman reported, “He reached them but hasn’t started back. Also, the driving is like that of Jehu son of Nimshi—he drives like a madman.” 2 Kings 9:20 HCSB
When he left there, he found Jehonadab son of Rechab coming to meet him. He greeted him and then asked, “Is your heart one with mine?” “It is,” Jehonadab replied. Jehu said, “If it is, give me your hand.” So he gave him his hand, and Jehu pulled him up into the chariot with him. Then he said, “Come with me and see my zeal for the Lord!” So he let him ride with him in his chariot. 2 Kings 10:15-16 HCSB
I recall years ago our church in Strasburg hosted a group of young people who were running across the country, with a torch representing the gospel and the light of Christ. I joined them as they ran through the main street of our town to the next. During the next week a community member asked about the event. She said, I told someone, “that guy runs like Ken Summers.”
I’m not sure what stood out in the way I ran, but Jehu’s chariot driving was aggressive and fast made him stand out. Jehu was a military leader in Israel. Elisha sent one of the sons of the prophets to find Jehu and anoint him King over Israel. When the other leaders found out what the prophet had told Jehu, they immediately proclaimed him as King.
Jehu, knowing his mission, quickly went into action and began to execute judgment on the house of Ahab that had infiltrated both Israel and Judah. This all happened to fulfill the Word of the Lord through His prophets. In the process of this “house cleaning” Jehu kills, King Joran of Israel and King Azariah of Judah all members of the family of Ahab and Jezebel. He then goes to Samaria and has Jezebel killed by having her eunuch’s throw her down from the window of the tower on the wall. (Read the story in 2 Kings 9,10)
He then has all the sons of King Ahab killed and displays their heads as a sign to the people about God’s judgment on the wicked ruler’s household. Continuing his “house cleaning” Jehu then has all the prophets and worshipers of Baal killed.
Unfortunately, Jehu’s zeal reached a limit. Nonetheless he was still honored by the Lord for his actions. “Jehu eliminated Baal worship from Israel, but he did not turn away from the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit—worshiping the gold calves that were in Bethel and Dan. Nevertheless, the Lord said to Jehu, “Because you have done well in carrying out what is right in My sight and have done to the house of Ahab all that was in My heart, four generations of your sons will sit on the throne of Israel.” (2 Kings 10:28-30 HCSB)
Reflecting on all these events, it is interesting that Jehu did not seek a role, but was divinely called to fill a role. When he received that anointing, he did not hesitate to take action. We can observe that what he did, he did with zeal and did not stop until all of Ahab’s house had been eliminated. He took action against the worshipers of Baal, which was the god promoted by King Ahab and Queen Jezebel.
Jehu invited others to join him in his cause. When initially confronted by messengers, his response was, “What do you have to do with peace? Fall in behind me.” (2 Kings 9:18,19) We then see Jehu gives Jehonadab a “ringside seat” in observing his zeal for the Lord.
Paul would later write to the Romans, “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.“
(Romans 12:11 HCSB) Paul writes to the Galatians, “It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always, not just when I am with you.” (Galatians 4:18 NIV)
Jehu was an example of zeal in service for the Lord. That can serve as a model for us today. Regardless of our assignment, we are called by God and need to view it as a “high and holy” calling. The role is different, but the value is the same. It is not be view with reluctance, resistance or reservation. Solomon said, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.” (Ecclesiastes 9:10 NIV) Paul wrote, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord…” (Galatians 3:23 NIV)
Allow your zeal to motivate, not discourage others and call others to join you in following the ways of the Lord and doing His work. In your obedience to God’s call and zeal for His work, “proceed with caution” the Lord may take you on a “wild ride.”