Lessons From Jehu I. Introduction A. Let us now engage ourselves with an individual from the Old Testament B. Jehu, a king of Israel C. His example can teach us many things (2 Timothy 3:16-17) D. He was anointed and commissioned to reform Israel E. He reformed, as we shall see, many things, but did not complete his task F. Because his reformation was not complete, God was not pleased with him! G. Let us examine the example of Jehu and apply it appropriately to ourselves II. Historical Background A. The Kingdom of Israel 1. in 1 Kings 12, we read of the separation of the Unified Kingdom of Israel during the time of Rehoboam into Israel to the north and Judah to the south 2. We also read there of Jeroboam's, the first king of the northern area of Israel's, idolatry-- in order to maintain authority over his people, he erected idols of YHWH in Dan and Bethel 3. For this sin, God punished Jeroboam by removing his house from the kingship, fulfilled in 1 Kings 15:25-29 4. Baasha, the successor of Nadab, Jeroboam's son, did no differently, and his line suffered the same fate, ending with his son Elah in 1 Kings 16:1-8 5. Zimri, the next king, reigned but a week; and Omri eventually took over (1 Kings 16:17-22) 6. The Omride house, with Omri and his son Ahab, represented the pinnacle of idolatry in provoking the LORD, with the latter even marrying the daughter of the king of Sidon, and bringing all of Israel to worship the Baals (1 Kings 16:31-33) 7. It is at this time that the LORD caused Elijah to rise up, and his defeat of the priests of Baal is noted (1 Kings 18) B. Jehu in the picture 1. In 1 Kings 19, we see an Elijah lamenting the continual idolatry of Israel despite the glorious work of the LORD 2. The LORD gives Elijah the task of anointing Hazael over the Syrians, Elisha as a prophet to continue after Elijah...and to anoint Jehu son of Nimshi over Israel (1 Kings 19:15-16) 3. The LORD declares that those who escape Hazael will be destroyed by Jehu, and anyone who escapes Jehu will be destroyed by Elisha (1 Kings 19:17) C. Ahab dies in 1 Kings 22:33-40, and his son Amaziah reigns in Israel D. The stage is set for Jehu, according to the many prophecies of the destruction of the Omride house given in 1 Kings. III. The Acts of Jehu A. The lack of faith of Amaziah leads to his death in 2 Kings 1 and Jehoram, a son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, reigns in his place B. Later Joram, another son of Ahab, rules in Samaria C. 2 Kings 9:1-11: Elisha fulfills the command of the LORD to Elijah and anoints Jehu king over Israel D. 2 Kings 9:12-28: Jehu is declared king over Israel, goes to meet Joram and Ahaziah (king of Judah), and kills them both E. 2 Kings 9:29-37: Jezebel, although taunting Jehu in the name of the "king-murderer" Zimri, is also executed F. 2 Kings 10:1-11: Jehu arranges for everyone in the Omride house to be executed G. 2 Kings 10:12-17: all loyal to Ahab's clan are executed H. 2 Kings 10:18-28: In an elaborate ruse, Jehu assembles all of the Baal worshippers in Israel together and has them executed I. "Thus Jehu removed the Baals from Israel" IV. Jehu's Downfall A. While Jehu did these many good things for the LORD's cause, 2 Kings 10:29 informs us that he still clung to the sin of Jeroboam the son of Nebat B. Why would he do so? 1. It had the appearance of true worship, since YHWH was the object of worship 2. It had been done for generations by that point 3. It was politically advantageous 4. Therefore, it remained C. The LORD blesses Jehu for removing the Baals by promising four generations of his family after him on the throne 1. himself, Jehoahaz (2 Kings 13:1), Joash (2 Kings 13:9), Jeroboam (II) (2 Kings 13:13), and Zechariah (2 Kings 15:8-9) 2. Zechariah is killed by Shallum, who is killed by Menahem, whose son Pekahiah is killed by Pekah, who himself is replaced by Hoshea, who ends up being the last king of Israel (2 Kings 17-18). 3. It is generally seen in political history that the dynasty of Jehu was one of the most stable periods of Israelite history D. Jehu only receives four generations, however, and also lost all of the lands east of the Jordan (Gad, Reuben, and Manasseh, all to the Syrians), because of his idolatry (2 Kings 10:31-34) E. What, then, can we learn from Jehu's example? V. Lessons and Application A. We have seen that God commissioned Jehu to remove the idolatry from Israel B. This he did, in the form of the Baals and the Omride dynasty, but he maintained the cult centers of Dan and Bethel, which were abhorrent to the LORD. C. God was pleased that Jehu did reform Israel in some ways, but was not pleased that Jehu did not thoroughly reform Israel. D. This is the same today. E. God is pleased when we repent from our sins and walk in Him, but He is not pleased if we do not thoroughly reform ourselves! 1. James 2:10-12: We are still transgressors of the law even if we transgress in only one point 2. Hebrews 13:18: do we want to be found acting honorably in all things? 3. 2 Corinthians 9:8: through God and His Word we have all sufficiency for all things at all times! 4. 1 Corinthians 9:25: we are to be found holding to self-control in all things to run the race 5. 2 Timothy 2:15: we are to be found handling the word of God properly! F. We can only be fully pleasing to God when we are thoroughly reformed! G. These same applications can be made to doctrines and the church H. Seeing the example of Jehu, can we say that God is pleased with the "reformation" of many denominations? I. God may be pleased that they do not practice many of the abominable practices from before, but have they fully reformed and returned to the will of God in its entirety? J. Can we show pride in not adhering to Roman Catholic additions to Scripture, yet hold to practices that are also additions to the New Testament? K. We can imagine Jehu using the same types of justifications that are given today for adding things to God's word! 1. "Elijah never prophesied about me destroying the temples of Dan and Bethel." 2. "Israel has always worshipped at Dan and Bethel." 3. "Surely God would not condemn me for using a golden calf to understand His nature!" 4. "Why would God give me a kingdom to the north but require my people to worship in the south?" L. These justifications, both then and now, do not work with God-- as God removed territory and the throne from Jehu's house, what will be of those who have not fully reformed themselves? VI. Conclusion A. We have seen that Jehu did many good things for the LORD, yet did not fully reform the Israelite religion and therefore received the penalty for his idolatry B. We can apply this example well with churches and denominations who may feel content in their reformations of certain practices and yet maintain many doctrines and practices that do not concord to the truth of the New Testament C. This example also applies to each and every person who claims Christ: have they fully reformed themselves and become full servants of righteousness (Romans 6:17-18)? D. Where do you stand today? Are you as Israel before Jehu, lost in idolatry and sin? Repent of your sins and come to faith in Christ today? E. Are you like a Jehu-- reformed in some areas of your life but yet not fully obedient to the Gospel of Christ? What does 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9 say about your fate? F. Please do not fall into the trap that Jehu fell into-- come to faith in Jesus Christ as we stand and sing!