“And the LORD said to Jehu, ‘Because you have done well in carrying out what is right in My eyes, and have done to the house of Ahab according to all that was in My heart, your sons of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel.’” (10:30‬)

This is an extensive and gnarly house cleaning. So much gruesome murder. Kings, queens, sons, friends, servants, acquaintances, priests, worshipers, everyone.

All this gets classified under zeal for the LORD (10:16). It feels like a throw back to the times of the judges.

The LORD is pretty serious about being misrepresented. If Israel was supposed to be His ambassadors, what does it communicate to the nations when they toss Him aside for a lessor deity who is basically Satan? (Baal is also short for Beelzebub. Read more about Ba’al here, and for further ponderings, here).

For those who are alarmed by the violence, just remember. This ain’t no joke. The LORD is patient, but there always comes a time when He’s had enough. He is the supreme authority on right and wrong, not us.

It’s also clear, from these chapters, that no man can properly execute His righteous anger 100% correctly. Jehu did well enough to be promised four generations of heirs, but he ain’t no David. We will see how rough those upcoming reigns will be and, good for the LORD, for not making it five.

So how do we represent the LORD to our neighbors? This is a very important question to check ourselves on, regularly. What would someone deduce about God if your life and worship was their case study about Him?

We are His Ambassadors now.

-Bethany