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Kings 16:3). But upon Jezebel would special personal judgment descend,
commensurate to the terrible crime against Naboth, which she had planned and
executed (1 Kings 21.). Thus would all men see that Jehovah was the living and true
God; thus also would the loudest but also the last call to national repentance come to
Israel, ere the storm of judgment burst over the land.
It is in this light that what seem from our point of view the horrible events of the
beginning of Jehu's reign must be regarded. But then our point of view was not that
of Israel at that time, and if the commencing judgment on national apostasy, and the
final call to repentance which it implied, were to be effective, they must be suited to
their, not to our, standpoint. Let it be remembered that the long ministry of Elijah and
Elisha, with all the exceptionally direct and striking Divine interpositions connected
with them, had passed without producing any appreciable effect on the people. The
years of sudden famine, and its equally sudden cessation; the scene at the sacrifice on
Carmel, as well as the prolonged public and private activity of Elisha, had apparently
only wrought this result: that the great prophets came to be regarded as possessing
some absolute power to influence the God of Israel (comp. 2 Kings 6:31; 8:4). A
very different kind of ambassador was now to do God's behest and to execute His
judgments, although perhaps just because he would do that for which he was called
in his own wild Eastern manner, and in accordance with the spirit of the time.
It is in this sense that we can understand the Divine approbation conveyed to Jehu (2
Kings 10:30), even while feeling that the man himself and his modes of acting were
contrary to God. And, indeed, this fact is distinctly brought out in the verse which
follows the expression of the Divine approbation (ver. 31).
We have said that Jehu did his work as a Jehu, not as an Elisha, and in accordance
with the spirit of his times. We may add that, as the experience of the past showed,
no other mode would have been understood by Israel. It was a very dark night, and
only the flashes of lightning and the flames of burning palaces which they had
kindled could show what tempest of judgment had gathered in the sky. Yet even so
might men have learned the possibility of brightness and calm with the sunrise of the
morrow.^268
Returning to our history, we follow Elisha's messenger as, obedient to his directions,
after having executed his commission, he opens the door and literally flees through
the court where the assembled captains are in waiting for Jehu. He must not give
explanations to any man; he must not be arrested nor questioned by any. His business
was with Jehu - that done, alike in character with the Divine message, and even for
the sake of its success, he must withdraw. And, although so widely differing in
character, there is in this also a practical lesson for those who have some work to do
for God. Let us avoid all mere talking, and, if we can, all explanation.
(^)