by Steve Ary
Immediately after the fall of Jezebel, Jehu called for the execution of Ahab’s 70 sons. The heads of the 70 sons were laid in two heaps for all to see at the entrance gate in the valley of Jezreel. He then slew all of the house of Ahab and all whose allegiance was with him. He eradicated the nation from all who worshiped Baal slaying every last one of them in the territory, casting down the high places, and literally turning their worship centers into public toilets.
Upon the fall of the evil king and queen, it was necessary to rid the land of all who held their allegiances with them, and all who served the same false gods. When the word of the Lord was accomplished through Jehu, the people restored their covenant back with the Lord.
“Then Jehoiada made a covenant between the Lord, the king, and the people, that they would be the Lord’s people, and between the king and the people. And all the people of the land came to the house of Baal and tore it down; they thoroughly smashed his altars and his images in pieces, and they killed Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. Then the priest appointed sentries over the house of the Lord. And he took the captains of hundreds and the Carites, and the guards and all the people of the land; and they brought the king down from the house of the Lord, and came by way of the gate of the guards to the king’s house. And he sat on the throne of the kings. So all the people of the land rejoiced and the city was peaceful. For they had put Athaliah to death with the sword at the king’s house.” 2 Kings 11:17-20
After the eunuchs arose and initiated the transformation of the kingdom by pushing Jezebel out of the window to her death, it was time to remove all of the high places, all of the strongholds, all of those who remained in allegiance with the evil kings and their false gods, and all of the cultural practices of the previous kingdom. A new covenant, a rededication to God was necessary in order to begin the long process of restoration.
The people who were deceived into agreement with the former kingdom had to retrain their minds, much like that of the Israelites in the wilderness, from the deceptions of the evil king and queen to the covenant and promises of God which that nation once held dear.
In 2 Kings chapters 4-12:20, we can see that if the Restoration is not completed in a timely manner, the hearts of the people were not fully devoted, and the corruptible will return to the kingdom. Let that not be us.
“Then Jehoash said to the priests, “All the money of the sacred offerings which is brought into the house of the Lord, in current money, both the money of each man’s assessment and all the money which anyone’s heart prompts him to bring into the house of the Lord, 5 The priests are to take it for themselves, each from his acquaintance; and they shall repair damage to the house wherever any damage is found.”
6 But it came about that in the twenty-third year of King Jehoash, the priests had not repaired any damage to the house. 7 So King Jehoash summoned Jehoiada the priest, and the other priests, and said to them, “Why do you not repair damage to the house? Now then, you are not to take any more money from your acquaintances, but give it up for the damage to the house.” 8 The priests then agreed that they would not take any more money from the people, nor would they repair damage to the house.”
“And his servants rose up and formed a conspiracy; and they struck and killed Joash at the house of Millo as he was going down to Silla.” v. 20
To be fully repentant is to be fully committed to the restoration. A partial commitment is like no commitment at all. And apathy or flippancy toward our covenant with God is cause for repentance.
Repentance is key at this time. “The King is in the field” during (Teshuva) this time of repentance. We should seek the Lord, repent to Him for all that we have done against Him and His Word. Perhaps we will find grace and favor in His sight.
In this season, during this Rise of the Eunuchs… sin, darkness, evil, and corruption are all being exposed from the highest levels of government to the lowest levels of one’s individual walk with God. Repentance is the theme for the end of the Summer, but Rededication is what the Lord desires of us all… as a believer, as the church, as the Kingdom, and as the nation. It’s time to Rise. It’s time to Repent. And it’s time to Rededicate our lives to the Lord… for the Restoration to begin.
