Intrigue and atrocities…..

And so on to 2 Kings 8.

Remember the Shunammite woman whose son was restored to life? She is still being provided for. Before the famine, Elisha advises to leave her land and she goes to live in the land of the Philistines for seven years. You see, God never seems to work the same way twice – firstly, he provides oil that never runs out; then the second time, she has to leave her home in search of food. God always provides but in surprising ways. He is the God of surprises. And when she returns, the king has heard all about her and restores her land and income to her.

For Elisha, sometimes being a man of God is too big a burden to bear. When Hazael is sent by the king of Aram to enquire about his illness, Elisha is overwhelmed by what is revealed to him –

Then the man of God began to weep.

“Why is my lord weeping?” asked Hazael.

“Because I know the harm you will do to the Israelites,” he answered. “You will set fire to their fortified places, kill their young men with the sword, dash their little children to the ground, and rip open their pregnant women.”

Hazael said, “How could your servant, a mere dog, accomplish such a feat?”

“The Lord has shown me that you will become king of Aram,” answered Elisha.  2 Kings 8:11-13

And so yes, everything happens exactly the way Elisha knew it would. The next day, Hazael soaks a thick cloth in water and covers the king’s face with it and murders him. He then succeeds him as king.

Meanwhile, back in Judah –

Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat began his reign as king of Judah. He was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years.  2 Kings 8:16-17

He was no better than the kings of Israel, the house of Ahab. He was just as evil. But God would not destroy Judah because of the promise made to David –

He had promised to maintain a lamp for David and his descendants forever.  2 Kings 8:19

During that time, Edom and Libnah rebelled and revolted against Judah. And when Jehoram died, Ahaziah his son succeeded him as king. He reigned for one year. And in that time, he joined forces with Joram, king of Israel to fight Hazael king of Aram. And when Joram was injured in battle, Ahaziah went to visit him.

Elisha sent a young prophet to anoint Jehu as the new king of Israel. The young prophet told Jehu to destroy the whole house of Ahab and kill Jezebel – ‘Then he opened the door and ran.’ 2 Kings 9:10 (who can blame him with news like that to share?)

So Jehu too went to visit the wounded Joram and each messenger sent to see what he wanted fell in behind him and joined him. The lookout recognised Jehu by his driving –

The driving is like that of Jehu son of Nimshi—he drives like a maniac.  2 Kings 9:20

The kings of Israel and Judah rode out in chariots to meet him. But he shot Joram with an arrow and ordered his men to kill the fleeing Ahaziah. Then he went to Jezreel and had Jezebel thrown out of a window. Her preparations had counted for nothing in this case…..’if you’ve got it, flaunt it’ obviously doesn’t always work…

When Jezebel heard about it, she put on eye makeup, arranged her hair and looked out of a window.  2 Kings 9:30

Then Jehu turned his attention to the house of Ahab. He sent a letter allowing the seventy sons of Ahab and their men to get an army together to fight him, but the people are too scared and choose the other option – all seventy heads of the descendants of Ahab…..

Then he turned his attention to the prophets of Baal. He asked for them all to gather for a massive sacrifice to Baal – they crowded into the temple of Baal – and then he slaughtered them all. The building was completely destroyed and –

people have used it for a latrine to this day.  2 Kings 10:27

Jehu had accomplished everything set before him by God and yet still…..

Yet Jehu was not careful to keep the law of the Lord, the God of Israel, with all his heart.  2 Kings 10:31

And so in those days, God began to reduce the size of Israel.

Jehu rested with his ancestors and was buried in Samaria. And Jehoahaz his son succeeded him as king. The time that Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria was twenty-eight years.  2 Kings 10:35-36

Well, that’s three chapters of pretty gruesome stuff. God trying to get his house in order. Not sure what to draw out from all of that, to be honest. Not a lot has changed in may ways, has it? – wars over territory, struggles over leadership, political unrest, uncertainty, defending tribe and family, intrigue, deceit and violence…..and where does God fit in to all the atrocities that are carried out in the world today? Some even in His name? What role does God play? Does He intervene? Can He intervene? What can He do? What can we do?

I have no answers.

All I can do is trust that God knows what He’s doing – even when it doesn’t look like it at all.