Elisha (15)

It was about twenty years ago that Elijah was commissioned to anoint Hazael to be king over Syria and Jehu to be king over Israel. You can read this in 1 Kings 19:15&16. Elijah later brought the message to Ahab that God’s judgment would come upon his house because of what he had done with Naboth regarding his vineyard, but when Ahab had humbled himself and rent his clothes, the judgment of God was not executed immediately. Hazael became king over Syria as we read in 2 Kings 8, and now we read about the anointing of Jehu in chapter 9.

Warnings dismissed

Despite all of the callings that had come to the king of Israel and his people by means of God’s faithful servants, the prophets, there had been no repentance. Now everything had become even worse. The worship of Baal was practiced and promoted. Idolatry was everywhere, and God’s children suffered again and were persecuted. All God’s warnings had been dismissed. However, the Lord is faithful not only in what He promises but also in the fulfillment of His threatenings.

Elisha, the prophet, called one of the children of the prophets and said unto him, “Gird up thy loins, and take this box of oil in thine hand, and go to Ramoth-gilead.” This was a solemn task that was laid upon the shoulder of a young man, one of the sons of the prophets. Elisha had been the instructor, but now this young man had to perform a task that could be dangerous and was surely a responsible one.

We do not read that the young man hesitated or argued with his master. He went to Ramoth-gilead. The duty of this young man was to anoint Jehu as a successor to Joram. The question may arise: Why did not Elisha personally perform this task? Some have said that this was too dangerous for Elisha; therefore, it was fit that he should transfer it to another. However, we do not read that Elisha was fearful. In fact, it was just the opposite. He could be very bold and courageous. He had spoken boldly to King Joram (2 Kings 3).

He had not been afraid to give offense to the mighty captain Naaman (2 Kings 5). He sat calmly in the house when the king had sworn that he should be slain (2 Kings 6). He possessed such power from God that he was able to smite with blindness those who sought to take him captive (2 Kings 6:18), so it does not seem probable that he would shrink from an unpleasant task and expose someone else to face Joram in his stead.

Since Elisha was the teacher of the sons of the prophets, this may have been part of preparation for their future task. Perhaps this young man was going to take a more permanent place in public life in his country, so greater responsibility was placed upon him. Elisha sent him away with a clear task. “And when thou comest thither, look out there Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi, and go in, and make him arise up from among his brethren, and carry him to an inner chamber; then take the box of oil, and pour it on his head, and say, Thus saith the LORD, I have anointed thee king over Israel.” What a blessing if, wherever the Lord sends us, we may have a clear calling and know that we will have a message from the One who sends His servant. Then such a young man as this child of one of the prophets may know that he goes in obedience to the Lord.

His task

This young man was sent on a dangerous task and a solemn errand. The wicked king Joram was still on the throne at this time in Ramoth-gilead, recovering from the wounds which he had received in the recent battle with the Syrians at Ramah (2 Kings 8:29). Because a servant has to be subject to the will of his master, the young man had to make it clear that he did not act on his own account in a private capacity but that he came with the immediate authority of the Lord Himself.

Joram had reigned twelve years, and the Lord had shown much patience towards him. However, that does not mean that God will not avenge the blood of His servants and children. That does not mean that His judgments will not come upon those who provoke Him to anger. The time of His wrath had come.

The young man went to the place where some officers of the army were meeting together. He entered into the room without any hesitation. He said, “I have an errand to thee, O captain” (verse 5). One of those addressed by this young servant was Jehu himself. Jehu asked, “Unto which of all us?” The young man answered, “To thee, O captain.” He indicated to Jehu that he needed to be in a place alone with him, and then he poured the oil, which he had taken along, on the head of Jehu. He said unto him (verse 6), “Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I have anointed thee king over the people of the LORD, even over Israel.” This man spoke as an ambassador in the name of the King of kings.

Also in our days this King sits upon the throne. Unto Christ is given all authority in heaven and upon earth. He is seated at the right hand of the Father, and He reigns over all the kingdoms, republics, and rulers of this world. He directs the affairs of the world to a certain end, which is His own honor and glory. Blessed are those who may learn to bow before Him. There is a time in the life of God’s dear children when the Lord becomes too strong for them, when He brings them down before Him into the dust, and when they learn to ask, “What wilt Thou have me to do?” They become a willing people in the day of His power, but woe to those who harden their hearts like Joram did in spite of all the warnings and in spite of having heard the truth. When we do not want this gracious King to reign over us, God’s servants have to come with the message that God’s judgments will be upon those that are disobedient unto Him.

An instrument in God’s hand

When Jehu had been anointed, he had the authority to rule over Israel in the place of Joram. However, that did not mean that he could occupy the throne to please himself, do what he desired, or seek his own honor and glory. When much is given unto us, much will be required of us. Jehu was to be an instrument in the hand of the Lord to execute His judgments upon the house of Ahab and his descendants.

After anointing Jehu, the young man opened the door and fled as his master, Elisha, had told him. He did not wait to possibly receive any gifts or rewards from Jehu or to feast at his table. His task had been fulfilled, and he hastened away from the place where he had anointed Jehu. However, before leaving, he gave a solemn description of Jehu’s task (verse 7): “Thou shalt smite the house of Ahab thy master, that I may avenge the blood of My servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the LORD, at the hand of Jezebel.” This is what the Lord would do by means of Jehu.

We read in Deuteronomy 32:43, “Rejoice, O ye nations, with His people: for He will avenge the blood of His servants, and will render vengeance to His adversaries, and will be merciful unto His land, and to His people.” Here, already, we read of the wrath of God upon those who have persecuted His Church. We read in Revelation 19:2, “For true and righteous are His judgments: for He hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of His servants at her hand.”

God’s time is not our time, but He will surely execute what He has spoken. How solemnly our Belgic Confession of Faith speaks of the last judgment in article 37. It says there that the innocence of the saints shall be known to all, and they shall see the terrible vengeance that God shall execute on the wicked who most cruelly persecuted, oppressed, and tormented them in this world. On the contrary, it says that the faithful and elect shall be crowned with glory and honor, and the Son of God will confess their names before God the Father and His elect angels. All tears shall be wiped from their eyes, and their cause, which is now condemned by many judges and magistrates as heretical and impious, will then be known to be the cause of the Son of God. The Lord will then give a gracious reward and will receive unspeakable glory.

Jehu would be the executor, the instrument in God’s hand. We read that he met Joram who asked, “Is it peace?” And Jehu answered, “What has thou to do with peace?” (verse 19). In verse 22 he answered, “What peace, so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many?” Joram then realized there would be no peace for him. He turned his hands and fled together with Ahaziah, his nephew, who was visiting him. Jehu drew a bow with his full strength and smote Joram between his arms. He slew Joram and also Joram’s ungodly mother, Jezebel. He slew not only Jezebel, but we read in chapter 10:11, “So Jehu slew all that remained of the house of Ahab in Jezreel, and all his great men, and his kinfolks, and his priests, until he left him none remaining.” God’s judgments, prophesied by Elisha, had been fulfilled.

Jehu’s zeal

This speaks clearly of Jehu as an instrument in God’s hand. Jehu was very eager to slay the enemies of God. It seemed he was zealous for the Lord’s cause. In chapter 10 we read that he even assembled the worshippers of Baal and then said unto the captain of the guards, “Go in, and slay them; let none come forth.” He smote them with the edge of the sword. However, in spite of all his zeal, Jehu was not one who truly with his whole heart feared the Lord. His zeal was not caused by love to the King of kings. We read in verse 29 of chapter 10, “From the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, Jehu departed not from after them.” In verse 31 we read, “Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the LORD God of Israel with all his heart: for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, which made Israel to sin.”

How sad it is if we are zealous for the church, even for the old truth, and yet we miss the love to the Lord in our hearts. How solemn and grievous it is if we have never learned to know ourselves as idol worshippers worthy to be cast away by a holy and righteous God. How dangerous it is if we have never learned to need and to seek the blood of the Lord Jesus which alone can cleanse us from all our sins. How is it with you, both young and old? We may be impressed by the zeal of Jehu, but when love to God, sorrow about sin, hunger and thirst for the righteousness of Christ, the longing for His fellowship, and the desire for His honor are missing in our hearts, then we miss the one thing that is needful on our journey to eternity. Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near, and ask the Lord to give that you may walk in His ways with the tender fear of His name. His service is a service of love. He is so worthy to be served, not only by older ones but also by children. p

(To be continued)

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