1. Text summary
2. How is Christ in the text?3. Application
Jehu's Vengeance Continues - 2 Kings 10
1. Text summary
Jehu challenges Ahab's 70 sons, but their guardians are afraid and kill them all on Jehu's order. He kills relatives of Ahaziah, who were heading to fraternize with the 70 just killed. He kills all Ahab's advisors and priests. He kills Baal's priests using deception. But he keeps the golden calves at Dan and Bethel. He reigns 28 years. Israel loses some territory.
2. Jesus
Jesus' return will look and feel a bit like this for ungodly kings, which is a comfort to believers oppressed by them.
3. Application
a. Often (not always) there is a connection between lack of faithfulness to God, and "losing ground" or territory in your life.
b. What were the guardians of Ahab's 70 sons SUPPOSED to do?? They were involved in an ungodly calling, so were bound to get in a bind.
Athaliah's Despicable Deed and Result - 2 Kings 11
1. Text summary
When Ahaziah is killed by Jehu, Ahaziah's mother Athaliah kills her whole family (her own children!) to consolidate power in herself. But baby Joash escapes. 7 years later, priest Jehoiada shows Joash to all the priests, and charges them to protect him as Jehoiada crowns him king. When Athaliah cries treason, Jehoiada has her killed. They tear down Baal's temple, and commit to Yahweh as 7-year old Joash sits on the throne.
2. Jesus
Jesus is a faithful priest, who bides His time, and leads His people to reject evil rulers and establish rulers loyal to God.
3. Application
a. Timing is important in culture wars and politics. Know when to act, not just how.
b. You also need to know people. Jehoiada knew most were appalled at Athaliah. She had little support after what she did to her own family.
Joash's Reign - 2 Kings 12
1. Text summary
Joash reigns 40 years, doing right with Jehoiada's guidance. But they still can't take down the high places: too ingrained in the people's desires. Joash tries to repair the temple, but the priests keep the money (needed to live on, or out of greed?). Jehoiada responds by setting up a building fund. They had mixed offerings meant for the priests' livelihood with temple repair. Joash pays off Syria to not invade Judea! Joash is assassinated, and his son Amaziah reigns next.
2. Jesus
Jesus orders His house well, though His followers often clash over conflicting interests.
Jesus was killed by His own people, too, after years of faithfulness.
3. Application
a. Leaders need to communicate clear intent for people to follow well.
b. Sometimes years of faithfulness will only get you a foreign invader you have to pay off to protect your people.
Amidst so much death, Resurrection! - 2 Kings 13
1. Text summary
Jehu's son reigns for 17 years. He isn't faithful to God, and Syria defeats Israel horribly in war. His son Joash reigns 16 years, and conducts civil war against Judah's king Amaziah.
Elisha on his deathbed prophesies that Israel's king will defeat Syria, but only 3 times. It happens. Elisha dies and is buried. Another funeral comes to the same tomb, later, and they hastily throw the body in when raiders appear. The man is resurrected on touching Elisha's body. THE 14TH MIRACLE OF ELISHA.
2. Jesus
Jesus, with a double portion of God's Spirit, does His final and climactic miracle after His death, in His tomb: a resurrection.
3. Application
a. The times of the Judges, when God's enemies dominate His people, periodically return to them. We are entering one of those times again.
b. There is hope and life after death.
c. God gives some earthly victories to point to this hope beyond the grave.
Make Israel Great Again! - 2 Kings 14
1. Text summary
Joash's son Amaziah reigns for 29 years. He kills his father's assassins, but not their children, according to God's Word. He isn't strong in insisting on Yahweh worship only. He defeats Edom, then challenges Israel to battle. Israel warns him off, but he won't listen. Amaziah and Judah suffer a humiliating defeat. Israel captures Amaziah, plunders Jerusalem, breaks down the wall, and takes hostages. Judah conspires against Amaziah, kills him, and puts his 16 year old son on the throne.
Jeroboam reigns 41 years in Israel, after his father Joash. He restores territory to Israel, but does not follow God.
2. Jesus
Jesus at times allows His people to be defeated and humbled, in His providence.
3. Application
a. A victory can intoxicate us to proceed to bite off more than we can chew.
b. Civil war is a reality of life in each nation, and in the church. The right side doesn't always win in the short term.
c. Sometimes an ungodly leader can make a country great again, by God's will.
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