Will national reformation take place when the right men are in office? Find out in this sermon from January 10, 2010, on 2 Kings 9-10 (focusing on King Jehu of Israel).

link: How (Not) To Reform A Nation (2 Kings 9-10)


The first of the year is a time when many reflect on recent history and try to make sense of all that has gone on. Consider this — as we look back at the past year, or even the past ten years, would you say it has been a positive time or a negative time as far as the direction our society is heading? If recently published surveys are any indication, I think most would echo the sentiment that we’re not headed in the right direction. Our culture has certainly seen better days. But the problems that concern us today aren’t unique to the present day, as we’ll find out in today’s sermon. Go back with me to the northern kingdom of Israel, in the 8th century B.C. It was a time of rampant evil in the kingdom. The rulers of Israel, Ahab and Jezebel, had implemented widespread practice of evil, and persecuted God’s prophets such as Elijah, who dared to stand up for the truth. If anyone had to guess, it sure looked like the leaders of Israel would only continue along this trajectory deeper and deeper into evil. And then in stepped this character named Jehu.
The first mention of Jehu in Scripture is found in 1 Kings 19:16. This comes right after a time when Elijah ran for his life from Ahab and Jezebel, and then had the famous encounter with Yahweh at Mount Horeb, where Yahweh passed by in front of Elijah, speaking not in the wind, nor in the fire, nor in the earthquake, but in the sound of a low whisper. Yahweh reassured Elijah that He was still at work in Israel, and commissioned Elijah for the task of anointing Jehu the son of Nimshi as king over Israel, Hazael as king over Aram, and Elisha the son of Shaphet as Elijah’s successor as prophet. Now, due to some later repentance on Ahab’s part, the anointing of Jehu was delayed, so it was during the ministry of the prophet Elisha that Jehu became king. We find this in 2 Kings chapter 9, when the prophet Elisha sends one of the young prophets anoint Jehu and commission him for the task.  (click here to continue reading)