“And he said, ‘Thus and thus spake he unto me, saying, ‘Thus saith the Lord, I have anointed thee king over Israel.'” 2 Kings 9:12
Dear Ones:
We do not know how much time expired between the moment when the Lord told Elijah that he was to anoint Jehu to be king of Israel, and the fulfillment of that word by the prophet Elisha. What we do know is that times become worse, as the house of Ahab extended its reach, not only over the house of Israel, but also, that of Judah. Jezebel’s influence reigned throughout the land, and the wickedness of Ahab was passed down to, and through, his sons. There seemed to be no way that the stranglehold of wickedness could be broken. However, there would come a day, a moment, when, without fanfare or any great pronouncement, Jehu, one of captains of the army of Israel, would be taken aside by one of the sons of the prophets. According to Elisha’s instructions, the young prophet would then take a “box of oil, and pour it on Jehu’s head, and say, “Thus saith the Lord, ‘I have anointed thee king over Israel.'” (2 Kings 9:3) That which is so very important to grasp here is first the context. It is one in which no one seems to see an end to the reign of Ahab through his sons. No one sees a way out of this hold that sin and iniquity have on the land. However, God had given a word of hope to Elijah, one which declared that Jehu would be king. The enormity, importance, and significance of this word is seen in the young prophet’s following words to Jehu: “Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I have anointed thee king over the people of the Lord, even over Israel. And 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.” (v.6-7) This moment, when the young prophet came to anoint Jehu king, was the moment chosen by God, so that all would know that it was truly OF God, and God would accomplish it. God prepares the “way” for His moments when He deems it to be best. It is also important to realize that His “moments” are often very quiet, solitary ones, where He speaks to us, commanding our attention, and calling for our obedience. There is also another important compliment to God’s timing. It is His confirmation, that conviction, that He gives concerning the matter. Isaiah expressed it like this: The Redeemer and Creator, “…confirmeth the word of His servant, and performeth the counsel of His messengers.” (44:26) There is the inward witness of the Spirit, which confirms the source and essence of His word, and working. Often this is further confirmed by the witness of several people, who receive the same conviction. In the case of Jehu, just after the meeting with the young prophet, and upon returning to the soldiers under his command, apparently other captains, he is asked by them to tell them the content of the prophet’s communication. It is then that Jehu declares to them: “Thus saith the Lord, I have anointed thee king over Israel.” The confirmation that God is in this matter is seen by the immediate reaction of the other soldiers, and officers. They immediately acknowledge that he is the true king, laying their garments upon the ground for him to walk upon, and blowing the trumpets. Thus, in a moment in history…a very sordid and hopeless history, God speaks. It is by the mouth of someone that is considered a “mad fellow,” certainly not a person of the nobility, nor even by the mouth of the prophet Elisha, himself. The power of that word is realized, and reflected in the reaction of Jehu, and those of his brethren, who immediately KNOW that it is of the Lord. God’s calling of Jehu, the very powerful “word of the Lord,” would ignite a firestorm of activity in Israel, the cleansing of the land from hopelessness.
Dear Father, Make us to hear Thy clear voice. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad