Driving Like a Madman

O. T. #843  "Driving Like a Madman"
October 5, 2016
2 Kings 9-Part 2
verse??

LET IT GLOW

There has been a few times that I rode with a man who drove like a madman. Wow! I have not desired that experience since. So you know anyone who has that reputation? Today, our hero is known for driving like a madman. He was identified a ways off because of it. Let's find out who it is.

We last read of Jehu being anointed the new king of Israel, secretly, that is. Elisha sent a prophet to do so in a private room. Now we pick up on the overthrow of Baal (pagan idol) worship in Israel, in 9:14-10:36.
There are 5 slayings here:

1. King Joram
2. King Ahaziah
3. Queen Jezebel
4. King Ahab's descendants
5. Baal worshipers.

Jehu (the good guy) led a conspiracy against King Joram first, since he was currently reigning. Joram had been wounded in a battle against King Hazael of Syria, and returned to the city of Jezreel to recover. So Jehu told his men, all captains in Israel's army, to not let anyone leave town and go to Jezreel to report what was taking place, if they wanted him to be king.

Jehu goes to visit King Joram in his chariot, and found King Ahaziah of Judah there visiting. Before Jehu actually reaches Joram, the watchman on the tower of Jezreel announces a company of troops was approaching, a long way off. Two different times a horseman was sent by the king to inquire if Jehu and his troops came in peace. Jehu told both men to fall in behind him. (There would be no peace as long as Israel worshiped idols, for it came from God.) So neither messengers returned to Joram, and it was deducted that the troops must  be Jehu's, for he was driving like a madman.
(I find this funny, that even back in the days of chariots, men drove crazy.) Jehu must have been known for his furious driving.

I think the two kings figured out what was happening, because they personally went out to meet Jehu. "Do you come in peace, Jehu?" they asked. In other words, is all well in my kingdom?
Jehu replied, How can there be peace as long as the idolatry and witchcraft of your mother, Jezebel, are all around us?

God hates those two things, as well as others.
In Deuteronomy 18:10-12, the Lord warned the Levites, There shall not be found among you... a witch...a wizard... are an abomination to the Lord.
1 Samuel 15:23 says For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.
In Proverbs 16, we read of 6 things God hates (sane, pronounced saw-nay', in Hebrew, means to hate personally, an enemy, foe):

1. a proud look,
2. a lying tongue,
3. hands that shed innocent blood,
4. feet swift in running to mischief,
5. a false witness that spreads lies,
6. and he that sows discord among the brethren.

The first commandment in Exodus 20:3 is Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.

There we have it folks. There is no peace of God when we are surrounded by idolatry and witchcraft.
Sadly, young folks are enticed to dabble in both. Are we warning them and teaching them as children what displeases God?

LET IT GROW

Back to Jehu. The kings Joram and Ahaziah fled due to treason of Jehu. As Joram's chariot fled away, Jehu shot the king in the back and through his heart with an arrow. This happened on the very land which Ahab had taken from Naboth and his sons. God's revenge was done (1 Kings 21).
Jehu's men shot King Ahaziah of Judah.

With the Lord's help, anyone can break a generational cycle, such as was in Israel during that time.

LET IT GO

Help me Lord Jesus to love others, tell the truth, and be humble.

Let me warn others of effects of evil practices.

*Update on my sister in law Rose: She has a disease called Pulmonary Hypertension, which is basically high pressure in the lungs. Her heart is now very enlarged, making it difficult to breath. They flew her to Nashville where her specialists in that field are and her doctors. She is stable now, since they are giving her a new medicine through an IV.  Thanks for your prayers. Please put her on your church prayer list, if you would. The Lord is blessing and providing each day our needs.