“Cast thy bread upon the waters…In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand.” Ecclesiastes 11:1,6
In the history of Israel, there came a time, after wicked Ahab, the king of Israel, had died, that his son reigned in his place. Ahab’s son in law, Ahaziah, was also king over Judah at the same time. Jezebel was apparently still queen. Athalia, the mother of Ahaziah, who would later murder the king’s sons, in an effort to consolidate her power, was lurking in the wings. When we look at this situation, where it seems that the control over Israel and Judah was locked up by the wickedness of its kings and families, there is one singular event that occurs that will change everything. There is no doubt that, even though from an outward appearance, all was lost, and noting was possible to change this scenario, God was working to bring about a great deliverance. It would be swift, decisive, and certainly apparent that He had done it. The singular event was an act by the prophet Elisha, which was the fulfillment of a command given beforehand to Elijah by God. God had told Elijah to anoint Jehu, the son of Nimshi to be king over Israel. That moment of the anointing did not come during the ministry of Elijah, but of Elisha. The Lord moved Elisha at a specific time, when He knew that all was right, and ready, for the event. From a human standpoint the time had not come for such an intervention. However, God’s perfect time had come for the anointing of Jehu as King of Israel, defying the kings of both Israel and Judah. It was a time, out of season, and yet, was exactly the moment “in season” for the Lord. Why is the consideration of this matter so very important? There is a lesson here for the believer if he would learn to walk with God, and it is two-fold. First, one must never assume that God is not working, even in the hour of greatest need and darkness. Secondly, God reveals what He does, or what He is about to do, to the one who is truly seeking Him. One must never put God in a box of what is humanly possible, as opposed to God’s sovereign power and will. How is this illustrated in this story?
First we see that God had already put the matter in motion by His word to Elijah concerning the anointing of Jehu. However, the timing was not yet right for it to be accomplished. Secondly, we see that Elisha, sensitive to the Lord’s word and voice, responded at the perfect moment, and this by faith. A son of one of the prophets, a young man, was called upon to go find Jehu, who was with the other captains in the army of Israel. Being taken aside, anointed, and then told of the Lord’s calling and commission of him, Jehu would be brought face to face with the calling of God. However, he apparently was not sure. It would be when he would share the event with his fellow captains, that the wheel of the sovereign timing of God begin to turn and manifest itself. The captains immediately recognized that the matter was of God, for they quickly through their cloaks down before Jehu, declaring him to be the King. This would normally be a treasonous act, but they knew that this was of God. God’s work was being quickly accomplished in their hearts, and that of Jehu.
Secondly, we see by the commission and command that God gave to Jehu, that Jehu was fully persuaded that, not only would he be enabled to accomplish this mission, as the anointing came from God, but that he embraced the mission with the entirety of his being, nothing doubting. The word of God to him was: “Thou shalt smite the house of Ahab thy master, that I may avenge the blood of my servants.” (2 Kings 9:7) The clear conviction of his calling propelled Jehu forward.
Dear Father, In season and out, lead us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.