Sure, we can use the vocabulary, but conceptually, do we really get it?
I don’t fully agree with republicans. I don’t fully agree with democrats. I am not, however, an independent. Gray area.
I’m not pentecostal. I am charismatic. Gray area.
I do believe we are living in the last days, but that doesn’t mean I wake up everyday expecting to hear trumpets. Gray area.
I have brown hair. But we’re looking pretty blonde these days. Gray area. Actually, there are no grays on my head… we make sure of that. But you get the point!
My bible plan lately has me in 2 Kings. Confession: I’m in the second year of my year-long chronological Bible plan, and I’m still in the Old Testament. Just seeing if I can stretch a year plan into three years.
One thing I’ve observed throughout this Old Testament journey is God’s ability and desire to do things completely. This isn’t unique to 2 Kings or to the Old Testament; this is an aspect of God’s character that is displayed throughout the entirety of scripture. But recently, I’ve been reading about how God dealt with Jezebel.
One thing I’ve observed throughout this Old Testament journey is God’s ability and desire to do things completely.
This woman first appears in 1 Kings 16, and her story concludes in 2 Kings 9, barring, of course, the mention she gets in Revelation 2. Spoiler alert: Jezebel is wicked. We don’t like her. She spent her life manipulating her husband, attacking God’s prophets, and worshipping idols. But you don’t need me to tell you. Take a look at what God says concerning Jezebel and her husband Ahab in 1 Kings 21:
25 There was never anyone like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the Lord, urged on by Jezebel his wife. 26 He behaved in the vilest manner by going after idols, like the Amorites the Lord drove out before Israel.
This summary is given after God speaks through Elijah to Ahab concerning Ahab’s future. Let’s eavesdrop on that conversation in the same chapter:
Spoiler alert: Jezebel is wicked. We don’t like her.
20 Ahab said to Elijah, “So you have found me, my enemy!”
“I have found you,” he answered, “because you have sold yourself to do evil in the eyes of the Lord. 21 He says, ‘I am going to bring disaster on you. I will wipe out your descendants and cut off from Ahab every last male in Israel—slave or free. 22 I will make your house like that of Jeroboam son of Nebat and that of Baasha son of Ahijah, because you have aroused my anger and have caused Israel to sin.’
23 “And also concerning Jezebel the Lord says: ‘Dogs will devour Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.’
24 “Dogs will eat those belonging to Ahab who die in the city, and the birds will feed on those who die in the country.”
We have phrases like “forgive and forget.” But do we ever truly forget?
Whether in the city, or in the country, Ahab’s people are destined for disaster. God is angry, and He makes a plan in 1 Kings 21 that is eventually carried out to completion in 2 Kings 9 (and a little bit more in chapter 10). This is but one Old Testament story that displays God’s desire to completely wipe out a bloodline. Because when God makes a move, He does it completely.
Fast forward to the Transfiguration in Mark 9. Jesus is before three of the disciples, revealing His divinity in a way it hasn’t been done yet. His power has been displayed to the disciples, but not His glory. But then, in verse 3, we read: and His garments became radiant and exceedingly white, as no launderer on earth can whiten them.
Did you see it? The part about the laundry?
Exceedingly white, as no launderer on earth can whiten them. That’s the NASB 1995 version of the scripture, but other translations mention whiter than anyone could bleach them. However you read it, there’s a distinction between what men can do and who Jesus actually is.
And our redemption is forever. No going back.
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