DCLM DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL FOR  MAY 3, 2023  (THE UNREFORMED REFORMER)

TOPIC : THE UNREFORMED REFORMER

Text: 2 Kings 10:18-30 (KJV)

18 And Jehu gathered all the people together, and said unto them, Ahab served Baal a little; but Jehu shall serve him much.

19 Now therefore call unto me all the prophets of Baal, all his servants, and all his priests; let none be wanting: for I have a great sacrifice to do to Baal; whosoever shall be wanting, he shall not live. But Jehu did it in subtilty, to the intent that he might destroy the worshippers of Baal.

20 And Jehu said, Proclaim a solemn assembly for Baal. And they proclaimed it.

21 And Jehu sent through all Israel: and all the worshippers of Baal came, so that there was not a man left that came not. And they came into the house of Baal; and the house of Baal was full from one end to another.

22 And he said unto him that was over the vestry, Bring forth vestments for all the worshippers of Baal. And he brought them forth vestments.

23 And Jehu went, and Jehonadab the son of Rechab, into the house of Baal, and said unto the worshippers of Baal, Search, and look that there be here with you none of the servants of the Lord, but the worshippers of Baal only.

24 And when they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings, Jehu appointed fourscore men without, and said, If any of the men whom I have brought into your hands escape, he that letteth him go, his life shall be for the life of him.

25 And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, that Jehu said to the guard and to the captains, Go in, and slay them; let none come forth. And they smote them with the edge of the sword; and the guard and the captains cast them out, and went to the city of the house of Baal.

26 And they brought forth the images out of the house of Baal, and burned them.

27 And they brake down the image of Baal, and brake down the house of Baal, and made it a draught house unto this day.

28 Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel.

KEY VERSE: “Howbeit from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, Jehu departed not from after them, to wit, the golden calves that were in Bethel, and that were in Dan.” – (2 Kings 10:29)

MESSAGE

A story was told about a king in a certain village who rose up one day and proclaimed that anyone caught fetching water from a particular stream would be put to death. He was dreaded, so every family ensured that they sought alternatives. One day, while scouting a bush near the stream for snails, a villager saw a couple of the royal guards keeping watch. Curious, he moved closer to get a better view of the scene. While taking a stroll around his kingdom, the king had become very thirsty and was drinking from the forbidden stream. He was an unreformed reformer.

In today’s Bible passage, we are faced with an uncommon reformer, Jehu, who obeyed God’s instruction by destroying the worship of Baal in Israel. Jehu sent for all the worshippers of Baal and ensured that none was left. He cunningly informed them that he wanted to have a solemn assembly for Baal but his intention was to destroy them. As soon as they had ended their burnt offerings to Baal, Jehu ordered his guard and the captains to slay them.

Unfortunately, this reformer was himself unreformed. He still worshipped other idols as did Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who committed abominable sins in Israel. He continued to maintain the golden calves in Bethel and Dan. What hypocrisy!

Many who pose as children of God, including preachers, turn out to be hypocrites like Jehu. Their secret lives are morally corrupt. They are guilty of the things they ask people not to do through their sermons, counselling, online posts and group discussions. Are you one of these hypocrites? Make no mistake, all hypocrites will be judged according to their works.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: The most ridiculous “error in concord” is when your practice does not match your profession.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Judges 1-4

Daily Manna is the daily devotional of the Deeper Christian Life Bible Ministry (DCLM) written by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi. It is an extraction of God’s Word designed to draw the sincere seeker closer to God on a daily basis through an insightful exposition and analysis of God’s Word.