The Break-Down & the Build-Up

Based on 2 Kings 9-10, Psalm 71

"In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion." Psalms 71:1.

To have a successful relationship with God, we need to be willing to let some layers of us be torn down so other things can be built up. We don't come to God perfect. There are things we have to let go of because they conflict with God's Word & standard for our lives. We must never be put to confusion and allow for there to be a break-down and not a build-up. If we trust in God to release us, we need to trust in Him to shape us into something new! We can remove a lot of sins out of our lives, but if we forget to let God build us up, we will just be stuck in the ashes of what once was instead of allowing beauty to be born from those ashes! This is what happened with Jehu king of Israel:

"And he arose, and went into the house; and he poured the oil on his head, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I have anointed thee king over the people of the Lord, even over Israel. And thou shalt smite the house of Ahab thy master, that I may avenge the blood of my servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the Lord, at the hand of Jezebel." 2 Kings 9:6‭-‬7.

Elisha the prophet sent one of his servants to anoint Jehu king over Israel. Jehu would be a part of fulfilling the prophecy given that all Ahab's house shall be killed for the wickedness he caused in Israel, along with his wife Jezebel. Jehu certainly followed through in this fulfillment, but later we will see that in breaking down the evil, he did not fully allow God to break into him and build him back up again...

"And Joram said, Make ready. And his chariot was made ready. And Joram king of Israel and Ahaziah king of Judah went out, each in his chariot, and they went out against Jehu, and met him in the portion of Naboth the Jezreelite. And it came to pass, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, Is it peace, Jehu? And he answered, What peace, so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many? And Joram turned his hands, and fled, and said to Ahaziah, There is treachery, O Ahaziah." 2 Kings 9:21‭-‬23.

Jehu was bold in proclaiming the work he was set out to do-he had no problem speaking it, even to the former kings of Israel & Judah! Jehu and his men did in fact kill Joram, Ahaziah, Jezebel & all the house of Ahab for their wickedness. These were such valiant acts, and he wasn't done yet! He still had to break-down the idol of Baal and all the idolatrous worshippers:

"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. And he gave him his hand; and he took him up to him into the chariot. And he said, Come with me, and see my zeal for the Lord. So they made him ride in his chariot." 2 Kings 10:15‭-‬16.

Jehu brought this man Jehonadab with him to see how he would destroy Baal and its worshippers. He attributes it all to his zeal for The Lord, which is so inspiring to see...but, although their hearts may have been right in the moment toward each other, their hearts may not have been as steady with God (at least in Jehu's case). At this point in time, maybe it was. He had zeal. He had passion. He had courage. But as we will see, he also fell away from God later...he did so great in the break-down, but not in the build-up!

"And they brought forth the images out of the house of Baal, and burned them. And they brake down the image of Baal, and brake down the house of Baal, and made it a draught house unto this day. Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel."
2 Kings 10:26‭-‬28.

Jehu accomplished this in such a clever way...although it seems a bit odd...Jehu called all Baal worshippers together to sacrifice unto Baal, and then he had all his men slay them! He was sure that no worshippers of The Lord were there before doing this. He had fulfilled the destruction of the wicked people and the wicked sin!

"And the Lord said unto Jehu, Because thou hast done well in executing that which is right in mine eyes, and hast done unto the house of Ahab according to all that was in mine heart, thy children of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel. But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the Lord God of Israel with all his heart: for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, which made Israel to sin. In those days the Lord began to cut Israel short: and Hazael smote them in all the coasts of Israel;" 2 Kings 10:30‭-‬32.

All of Jehu's heart was not in it for God! He did so much tearing down, but not so much building up. God did recognize the good that he did, but since he fell short, Israel was cut short in his reign! We must not forget that after release comes revival and restoration with The Lord!