Resurrection Life of Jesus Church

FLAWED MEN
The Godhead paused the virtual time run as it became clear to them that the twelve tribes had devolved into stubborn, demon possessed people. They had walked away from their inheritance given to them through Moses and become just like the heathens around them.

There were small pockets of men and women who loved God and adhered to the instructions given to them by Moses. There were also Levites who still loved the Lord and their prophets did not back down from proclaiming the truth.

The Godhead decided that the family of Ahab and the people of his administration needed to be removed from Israel. They were like a cancer; there was no redemption possible; eradication was the only solution. The man selected for the job was a captain in the army of Israel, Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi. The Godhead activated the prophet Elisha to issue the message to Jehu.

KING JEHORAM
Upon the death of his father, Jehoram ruled Israel for twelve years. For some reason the son of Ahab stopped worshipping Baal and chose instead to worship the golden calves that King Jeroboam had set up in Bethel and Dan. 2 Kings 3:1-3

WAR WITH MOAB
The nation of Moab had been defeated by Israel and they demanded Moab pay a yearly tribute (tax) of 100,000 lambs and 100,000 rams with wool. King Mesha rebelled and refused to pay the burdensome tax. verses 4-5

Moab was the son born to Lot’s oldest daughter through incest with her father. Moab was the founder of a cursed nation. Genesis 19:30-38

Jehoram created an alliance with the king of Judah and the king of Edom. verses 6-8

As the three armies moved toward Moab, they ran out of water for their horses and cattle and King Jehoshaphat realized they needed a word from the Lord. verses 9-12

Elisha had no respect for King Jehoram, but he agreed to talk to them since he respected Jehoshaphat. He told them that the Lord would provide water if they dug trenches in the valley; God would give them victory, but they were to utterly destroy the nation of Moab. verses 13-20

When King Mesha and his army woke in the morning, the valley looked like it was filled with blood. They assumed that the three kings had turned against each other and charged forward. Moab was defeated in the ensuing battle. verses 21-25

When King Mesha realized he was losing the battle, he tried in vain to break out of the pocket of troops encircling him. In desperation, Mesha put his son on an altar and burnt him to death to induce a rescue from his demon god. Just like with Elijah on Mount Carmel with the prophets of Baal, there was no response from the demon god. verses 26-27

WAR WITH SYRIA
Some years later, there was a new king in Syria named Hazael, who waged war against Israel and Judah. King Jehoram was wounded in battle and sought refuge in the city of Jezreel to rest and heal his wounds. 2 Kings 8:28-29

ACTIVATING JEHU
The Holy Spirit spoke to the prophet Elisha about Jehu being the next king of Israel, but instead going in person and anointing Jehu, he sent a prophet-in-training to do the job and meet Jehu in Ramoth-Gilead. 2 Kings 9:1-6

Jehu was given specific orders to eradicate the family of Ahab, his friends, and all the people who had been part of his administration. The prophet-in-training fled the house after he poured the oil on Jehu and gave him the instructions. verses 7-10

JEHU’S RESPONSE
Jehu must have looked strange in the eyes of his soldiers when he emerged from the house with oil running down his head. One of the soldiers stated that the prophet-in- training who had just visited was mentally sick or demented. When Jehu informed them that he had been anointed with oil to be the next king of Israel, his soldiers immediately gave him homage and proclaimed him king. verses 11-13

TAKING CONTROL
Jehu knew he had a mandate from God and immediately began to plot the murder of King Jehoram. All the soldiers of Israel were located in Ramoth-Gilead, and as soon as Jehu declared he was the king of Israel, he wanted to make sure that no one traveled to Jezreel to inform King Jehoram what had taken place. verses 14-15

King Ahaziah of Judah had traveled to Jezreel to check on his northern counterpart and neither knew that Jehu was coming for a hostile and decidedly prejudicial visit. They rode out in their chariots and Jehoram was quickly killed. Ahaziah fled away and was subsequently killed in the pursuit. Jehu deposed two kings in one day. verses 16-28