II KIngs 10
From the Journals of Jehu
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I've rid Israel and Judah of the kings who lead the people astray. Elisha sent a priest to anoint me king. I knew right away what needed to be done.
The time for Baal worship had to end.
I couldn't tolerate the disrespect for the living God. The people need to either put their trust in the Almighty God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, or worship Baal. They could not worship both. The time for action had come.
I had already devised the plan I am about to carry out.
"Guard, send an announcement to bring all the people together for a meeting."
"Yes, my lord."
The guard left. It took some time before a large crowd gathered. I pressed my shoulders back, ready to show my authority as the new king and learn who the true worshipers of God were.
I stepped out on the balcony, looked out at the large mass of people, and raised my hand to quiet them. "Ahab served Baal a little. I will serve him much. Now summon all the prophets of Baal, all of his ministers and all of his priests. See that no one is missing, because I am going to hold a great sacrifice for Baal. Anyone who fails to come will no longer live."
It will be quite interesting to see who is willing to show their dedication to God by putting their life on the line. I continued my speech. "Call an assembly in honor of Baal." The people dispersed sharing the news with each other. I couldn't tell, yet, who would choose to be on the Lord's side and who would choose to come to the meeting.
The temple of Baal filled. I could barely squeeze through the crowd. All the ministers of Baal came. Not one stayed away. There was no place to stand from one end of the temple to the other.
I turned to the keeper of the wardrobe. "Bring robes for all these ministers of Baal."
He and his staff quickly obeyed until every minister of Baal received one.
My friend and trusted assistant, Jehonadab, joined me on the platform. I quieted the large group of Baal ministers and spoke. "Look around and see that no servants of the Lord are here with you--only ministers of Baal." The men did as I asked then we went in to the shrine of Baal to make sacrifices and burnt offerings as was the custom.
What the ministers didn't know was I had placed eighty men outside the temple with this warning. "If one of you lets any of the men I am placing in your hands escape, it will be your life for his life."
As soon as I had finished making the burnt offering to Baal, I whispered to the guard and officers, "Go in and kill them. Don't let any of the ministers of Baal escape." The guards followed my instructions exactly and threw the bodies out . They entered the shrine of the temple of Baal and brought the sacred stone out of the temple of Baal and burned it then demolished it. The guards then tore down the temple of Baal. It has since been used as a bathroom to this day.
With this, the Baal worship led by the evil ministers and the evil king had been destroyed.
The Lord spoke to me the next day. "Because you have done well in accomplishing what is right in my eyes and have done to the house of Ahab all I had in mind to do, your descendants will sit on the throne of israel to the fourth generation."
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1. What did Elisha send the priest to do?
2. What were the Israelites doing wrong?
3. Who led them to do these things?
4. Who did Jehu call together for a meeting?
5. After they all were gathered in the temple for Baal, what did Jehu do?
6. Then what did he have the guards do?
7. What did God say about all of this?
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