2 Kings 9:30-37 (CLICK HERE FOR BIBLE VERSES)
Hi GAMErs,
Today’s passage is 2 Kings 9:30-37. As usual, I encourage you to open your Bible and read the passage yourself first. See what you can glean with the Holy Spirit’s help. Then read the GAME sharing below. Let’s go!
2 Kings 9:30 (NIV)
30 Then Jehu went to Jezreel. When Jezebel heard about it, she painted her eyes, arranged her hair and looked out of a window.
On verse 30: Having heard that Jehu has killed her son King Joram, Jezebel expects that she is next, so she paints her eyes and does her hair. Why? Some scholars think she was trying to seduce Jehu. I think the more likely scenario is that she’s getting ready to die as dignified a death as possible. Jezebel may have thought to herself, “If I’m going to die a queen mother, I better look the part!” Ironically, despite her efforts to look good in death, Jezebel would end up being killed in the most undignified way, as we will see.
What can we learn from this? The best way to prepare for death and eternity is not to get busy doing your hair or make up, but to change your clothes; that is, put on the robes of righteousness that Jesus makes available to you and me. In other words, if you really want to get ready for death and eternity, if you really want to look good while dying, the absolute best way has nothing to do with your hair and make up and everything to do with having Jesus Christ as your Saviour. For hair and make up won’t cover your sins, but Jesus’ robes of righteousness can.
2 Kings 9:31 (NIV)
31 As Jehu entered the gate, she asked, “Have you come in peace, Zimri, you murderer of your master?”
On verse 31: Why does Jezebel call Jehu “Zimri”? That’s because Jezebel is comparing Jehu to Zimri. Years before, like Jehu, Zimri led the Israelite army and conspired against the man who was then king of Israel (King Elah), assassinating the king so that he could assume the throne. Zimri’s reign was extremely short-lived: 7 days (see 1 Kings 16:8-20). Jezebel is insinuating that, like Zimri, Jehu’s reign would also be short-lived. Jezebel was wrong. Jehu would end up reigning as king over Israel for 28 years. What Jezebel failed to recognize was the biggest difference between Jehu and Zimri, which is that Jehu was obeying the command of the Lord to take out King Joram, whereas Zimri was only listening to his own selfish desires for power when he killed King Elah.
What’s the lesson here? Don’t judge people by appearances only. Why they do something is just as important as what they do.
2 Kings 9:32-37 (NIV)
32 He looked up at the window and called out, “Who is on my side? Who?” Two or three eunuchs looked down at him.
33 “Throw her down!” Jehu said. So they threw her down, and some of her blood spattered the wall and the horses as they trampled her underfoot.
34 Jehu went in and ate and drank. “Take care of that cursed woman,” he said, “and bury her, for she was a king’s daughter.”
35 But when they went out to bury her, they found nothing except her skull, her feet and her hands.
36 They went back and told Jehu, who said, “This is the word of the LORD that he spoke through his servant Elijah the Tishbite: On the plot of ground at Jezreel dogs will devour Jezebel’s flesh.
37 Jezebel’s body will be like refuse on the ground in the plot at Jezreel, so that no one will be able to say, ‘This is Jezebel.'”
On verses 32-37: Jehu calls for anyone who is willing to follow him to throw Jezebel down from her window. Two or three eunuchs throw Jezebel down. Her body hits the wall and lands on the same field where her husband’s blood was washed from his chariot and where her son Joram was killed. Jezebel’s body is then trampled by horses. Jehu commands that Jezebel’s body be buried (contrary to the word that the prophet spoke in verse 10), only to find that Jezebel’s body has already been eaten by dogs, leaving only her skull, hands and feet remaining. Then Jehu is reminded of the prophetic word that Elijah spoke about Jezebel, namely that dogs would eat Jezebel’s flesh (1 Kings 21:23).
What can we learn from this? After her husband Ahab died and her son Joram assumed the throne, Jezebel lived a relatively peaceful life. She likely assumed that none of the prophetic words that the Lord’s prophets spoke about her would ever come true. Yet from her peaceful perch she fell to a bloody and undignified death. It shows us that no matter how much we rebel against God over our lifetime, no matter how comfortable and safe we think our lives may be, and no matter how much we think that God’s Word does not apply to us, God’s Word will always end up catching up to us. In time God always holds people accountable for their sin. That’s why it is so crucial that we repent before it’s too late, something that Jezebel likely never did.
Father, You are both a just and a merciful God. Thank You that the best preparation I can do in anticipation of death and eternity is to receive Jesus Christ as my Saviour. Being clothed in Jesus’ righteousness is better than having the best hair and make up. For the best make up can’t cover my sins, but Your robes of righteousness can, such that I can know that all my sins are forgiven and that I will be with You in heaven forever one day. I pray for my loved ones and neighbours who have yet to receive You into their lives. I pray for them, that they would respond to Jesus with faith and repentance before they run out of time. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
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