Dave's Diary

Daily Readings: 2 Kings 9 and Psalm 126

According to cuneiform inscriptions on the “Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III” (the Assyrian king at the time), Jehu became king of Israel (the northern kingdom) in 841 BC. Years before, in 1 Kings 19:16-18, Elijah himself had anointed Jehu to be the future king. Since then he had continued to serve the successive kings of Israel as their military commander. Our chapter for today, 2 Kings 9, contains the account of his anointing by an unnamed young prophet, his subsequent overthrow of King Joram of Israel, his assassination of King Ahaziah of Judah, and the death of Jezebel at the hand of two eunuchs. These deaths were all seemingly part of God’s direct judgment against their profound evil and idolatry.

The discipleship lesson for today, though, comes from the unnamed young prophet. On the basis of 2 Kings 14:25, Jewish tradition identifies him as Jonah. This young prophet acted in exact obedience to Elisha’s instructions. He went to Jehu, got him away from his companions and took him into the privacy of an inner room. Then he took the flask of oil Elisha had given him, poured the oil on Jehu’s head and declared, “This is what the Lord says: I anoint you king over the LORD’s people Israel.”

Then, however, we see the young prophet acting independently of Elisha’s exact instruction. Instead of immediately opening the door and running without delay as instructed, he first continues to speak prophetically. This young man was more than just a messenger from Elisha; as a prophet in his own right he was also a messenger from God Himself. And clearly, he had heard more from the LORD directly than he had heard from Elisha. Perhaps it was while he was on his way. Perhaps it came to him as he opened his mouth to speak. But, however it came to him, he received a more detailed prophecy from the LORD, and this was what he delivered with great confidence.

This reading invites us to trust the Lord to speak through us too. As followers of Jesus Christ who are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, we carry within us the answer to Moses’ wish “that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!” (Numbers 11:29). We carry within us the fulfilment of Joel 2:28 “And afterwards, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy.” (See Acts 2:16-21)

This is not to imply that we may speak whatever we please and claim to be a prophet. Rather it implies that we should eagerly expect God to grant us a revelation of his prophetic word by the Holy Spirit. We should expect not only to hear the Lord’s word, but also to receive His instruction to speak out that word. And when we do, we should speak with obedient and confident humility. When last did you cooperate with the Holy Spirit in this way?

LORD, help me to hear Your voice. Help me to discern Your word clearly. And grant me courage to speak in Your Name, with confident and obedient humility. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen!