Thus Jehu eradicated Baal from Israel, Thus JehuThe name "Jehu" means "Yahweh is He" in Hebrew, signifying a divine appointment and purpose. Jehu was anointed by a prophet sent by Elisha, marking him as God's chosen instrument to execute judgment on the house of Ahab and to cleanse Israel from idolatry. His actions were a fulfillment of God's command, demonstrating the sovereignty of God in raising leaders to accomplish His will. Jehu's zeal for the Lord, although later criticized for not fully following God's law, was instrumental in purging Israel of Baal worship. eradicated
The Hebrew root for "eradicated" is "שָׁמַד" (shamad), which means to destroy or exterminate completely. This word conveys a sense of thoroughness and finality. Jehu's actions were not merely a temporary suppression of Baal worship but a decisive and comprehensive removal. This reflects the biblical principle that idolatry must be completely removed from the life of God's people, as it is a direct affront to His holiness and sovereignty. Baal
Baal was a Canaanite deity associated with fertility, storms, and agriculture. Worship of Baal was prevalent among the Israelites due to cultural assimilation and influence from neighboring nations. The worship of Baal included practices that were abhorrent to God, such as ritual prostitution and child sacrifice. The eradication of Baal worship was crucial for the spiritual purity and faithfulness of Israel to Yahweh, the one true God. This act by Jehu was a return to the covenantal faithfulness that God required of His people. from Israel
The phrase "from Israel" indicates the geographical and spiritual scope of Jehu's reform. Israel, the northern kingdom, had been steeped in idolatry under the influence of Ahab and Jezebel. Jehu's actions were a significant step in restoring the nation to its covenant relationship with God. This highlights the importance of national repentance and the role of leadership in guiding a nation back to God. It serves as a reminder that spiritual renewal often requires decisive and courageous action to remove sin and idolatry from our midst. Persons / Places / Events 1. JehuThe tenth king of the northern kingdom of Israel, anointed by the prophet Elisha to destroy the house of Ahab and eradicate Baal worship from Israel. 2. BaalA Canaanite deity whose worship was introduced into Israel by Jezebel, the wife of King Ahab. Baal worship involved idolatry and practices contrary to the worship of Yahweh. 3. IsraelThe northern kingdom, consisting of ten tribes, often led astray by idolatry and false worship practices. 4. AhabFormer king of Israel, notorious for his idolatry and promotion of Baal worship, largely influenced by his wife, Jezebel. 5. JezebelThe wife of Ahab, a Phoenician princess who zealously promoted the worship of Baal in Israel. Teaching Points Zeal for God's HonorJehu's actions demonstrate a commitment to honoring God by removing idolatry. Believers today are called to be zealous in upholding God's truth and purity in their lives. The Dangers of IdolatryBaal worship led Israel away from God. Modern believers must be vigilant against contemporary forms of idolatry, such as materialism or self-worship, that can distract from true worship. Divine Commission and ObedienceJehu was anointed for a specific purpose. Christians are also called to fulfill God's purposes in their lives, requiring obedience and courage. The Consequences of SinThe eradication of Baal worship was a direct response to the sin of idolatry. Understanding the consequences of sin should motivate believers to pursue righteousness. God's Sovereignty in JudgmentJehu's actions were part of God's judgment against Ahab's house. This reminds us of God's ultimate authority and justice, encouraging us to trust in His righteous plans. Bible Study Questions 1. What can we learn from Jehu's zeal in eradicating Baal worship about our own commitment to removing sin from our lives? 2. How does the introduction of Baal worship by Ahab and Jezebel serve as a warning against allowing ungodly influences into our homes and communities? 3. In what ways can modern believers identify and combat idolatry in their own lives, drawing parallels to Jehu's actions? 4. How does Jehu's divine commission to destroy Baal worship encourage us to seek and fulfill God's specific purposes for our lives? 5. Reflecting on God's judgment against Ahab's house, how can we find comfort in God's sovereignty and justice in the face of evil and wrongdoing today? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Kings 16:31-33Provides background on how Baal worship was introduced into Israel by Ahab and Jezebel, setting the stage for Jehu's actions. 2 Kings 9:6-10Details the anointing of Jehu by a prophet sent by Elisha, highlighting his divine commission to destroy the house of Ahab and eliminate Baal worship. Exodus 20:3-5The Ten Commandments, which include the prohibition against idolatry, providing a theological basis for Jehu's actions against Baal worship. Romans 12:9Encourages believers to abhor what is evil and cling to what is good, paralleling Jehu's zeal in eradicating idolatry from Israel. People Ahab, Ahaziah, Dan, Elijah, Elisha, Gad, Gadites, Hazael, Israelites, Jehoahaz, Jehonadab, Jehu, Jeroboam, Jezreel, Manasseh, Manassites, Nebat, Rechab, Reuben, ReubenitesPlaces Aroer, Bashan, Beth-eked, Bethel, Dan, Gilead, Jezreel, Jordan River, Samaria, Valley of the ArnonTopics Baal, Ba'al, Destroyed, Destroyeth, Eradicated, Extirpated, Jehu, Thus, Wiped, WorshipDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 10:15-28 8370 zeal 2 Kings 10:18-28 8747 false gods 2 Kings 10:18-29 7312 Baal 2 Kings 10:28-29 4618 calf Library Impure Zeal
'And Jehu gathered all the people together, and said unto them, Ahab served Baal a little; but Jehu shall serve him much. 19. Now therefore call unto me all the prophets of Baal, all his servants, and all his priests; let none be wanting: for I have a great sacrifice to do to Baal; whosoever shall be wanting, he shall not live. But Jehu did it in subtilty, to the intent that he might destroy the worshippers of Baal. 20. And Jehu said, Proclaim a solemn assembly for Baal. And they proclaimed it. 21. …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureCatholic Spirit
"And when he was departed thence, he lighted on Jehonadab the son of Rechab coming to meet him, and he saluted him, and said to him, Is thine heart right, as my heart is with thy heart? And Jehonadab answered: It is. If it be, give me thine hand." 2 Kings 10:15. 1. It is allowed even by those who do not pay this great debt, that love is due to all mankind, the royal law, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself," carrying its own evidence to all that hear it: and that, not according to the miserable …
John Wesley—Sermons on Several Occasions False Civilization
JEREMIAH xxxv. 19. Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Jonadab the son of Rechab shall not want a man to stand before me for ever. Let us think a while this morning what this text has to do with us; and why this strange story of the Rechabites is written for our instruction, in the pages of Holy Scripture. Let us take the story as it stands, and search the Scriptures simply for it. For the Bible will surely tell its own story best, and teach its own lesson best. These Rechabites, who …
Charles Kingsley—Discipline and Other Sermons Which Sentence Dishonoreth the Holy Martyrs, Nay Rather Taketh Away Holy Martyrdoms Altogether. ...
3. Which sentence dishonoreth the holy Martyrs, nay rather taketh away holy martyrdoms altogether. For they would do more justly and wisely, according to these men, not to confess to their persecutors that they were Christians, and by confessing make them murderers: but rather by telling a lie, and denying what they were, should both themselves keep safe the convenience of the flesh and purpose of the heart, and not allow those to accomplish the wickedness which they had conceived in their mind. …
St. Augustine—Against Lying The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
THE ISRAELITES IN THE LAND OF CANAAN: THE JUDGES--THE PHILISTINES AND THE HEBREW KINGDOM--SAUL, DAVID, SOLOMON, THE DEFECTION OF THE TEN TRIBES--THE XXIst EGYPTIAN DYNASTY--SHESHONQ OR SHISHAK DAMASCUS. The Hebrews in the desert: their families, clans, and tribes--The Amorites and the Hebrews on the left bank of the Jordan--The conquest of Canaan and the native reaction against the Hebrews--The judges, Ehud, Deborah, Jerubbaal or Gideon and the Manassite supremacy; Abimelech, Jephihdh. The Philistines, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6 Justification by an Imputed Righteousness;
OR, NO WAY TO HEAVEN BUT BY JESUS CHRIST. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. This is one of those ten excellent manuscripts which were found among Bunyan's papers after his decease in 1688. It had been prepared by him for publication, but still wanted a few touches of his masterly hand, and a preface in his characteristic style. He had, while a prisoner for nonconformity, in 1672, published a treatise upon this subject, in reply to Mr. Fowler, who was soon after created Bishop of Gloucester; but that was …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 The Whole Heart
LET me give the principal passages in which the words "the whole heart," "all the heart," are used. A careful study of them will show how wholehearted love and service is what God has always asked, because He can, in the very nature of things, ask nothing less. The prayerful and believing acceptance of the words will waken the assurance that such wholehearted love and service is exactly the blessing the New Covenant was meant to make possible. That assurance will prepare us for turning to the Omnipotence …
Andrew Murray—The Two Covenants Elucidations.
I. (Deadly Sins, cap. ix., p. 356.) To maintain a modern and wholly uncatholic system of Penitence, the schoolmen invented a technical scheme of sins mortal and sins venial, which must not be read into the Fathers, who had no such technicalities in mind. By "deadly sins" they meant all such as St. John recognizes (1 John v. 16-17) and none other; that is to say sins of surprise and infirmity, sins having in them no malice or wilful disobedience, such as an impatient word, or a momentary neglect of …
Tertullian—The Five Books Against Marcion The Instrumentality of the Wicked Employed by God, While He Continues Free from Every Taint.
1. The carnal mind the source of the objections which are raised against the Providence of God. A primary objection, making a distinction between the permission and the will of God, refuted. Angels and men, good and bad, do nought but what has been decreed by God. This proved by examples. 2. All hidden movements directed to their end by the unseen but righteous instigation of God. Examples, with answers to objections. 3. These objections originate in a spirit of pride and blasphemy. Objection, that …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Kings 10:28 NIV2 Kings 10:28 NLT2 Kings 10:28 ESV2 Kings 10:28 NASB2 Kings 10:28 KJV
2 Kings 10:28 Commentaries
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