Scripture passage that caught my attention today: 2 Kings 10:6-7 Then he [Jehu] wrote them a second letter, saying, “If you are on my side, and if you are ready to obey me, take the heads of your master’s sons and come to me at Jezreel tomorrow at this time.” Now the king’s sons, seventy persons, were with the leaders of the city, who were charged with their upbringing. 7 When the letter reached them, they took the king’s sons and killed them, seventy persons; they put their heads in baskets and sent them to him at Jezreel.
Observation: this was a brutal time in ancient history, including those who acted in the name of God.
Application: Scripturally, Jehu was known as one who helped cleanse the land of those who worshipped Baal. But it’s still hard to read this while humming the song, “and they’ll know we are Christians by our love.” Granted, the song (and even Christianity itself) is based largely on the New Testament witness. Still, some of the brutality in some of these Old Testament passages cause a person to wince more than once.
Thankfully we’re, generally speaking, far less brutal today—at least physically. Certainly there are exceptions. But for the most part we deal with those of different allegiances in non-violent ways. Even so, I’m still forced to wonder how often the things that are done in God’s name are really the kinds of things for which our God would really want to be associated.
Prayer: Lord, as we endeavor to follow you, help us to more authentically do so, rather than simply going our own way and claiming to do so in your name. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Readings today included: 2 Kings 10, 2 Chronicles 22-23, 1 Timothy 5)
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