Anointed for Purpose: The Calling of Jehu
"And when thou comest thither, look out there Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi, and go in, and make him arise up from among his brethren, and carry him to an inner chamber;" - 2 Kings 9:2
In the vibrant tapestry of Scripture, each thread weaves a story with profound implications for our lives today. One such thread is found in the potent short verse of 2 Kings 9:2 (KJV): "And when thou comest thither, look out there Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi, and go in, and make him arise up from among his brethren, and carry him to an inner chamber." This verse is not only a command but a significant turning point in the narrative of Israel’s history, encapsulating themes of divine calling, purpose, and transformation.
To understand the significance of this moment, we have to consider the context in which it occurs. Jehu, a commander in the army of Israel, is destined to bring judgment against the house of Ahab and restore the worship of Yahweh. This divine appointment is pivotal as it showcases God’s sovereignty over nations and His meticulous plans for renewal amidst apostasy. In our own lives, God often positions us for specific purposes, calling us out from the ordinary into an extraordinary mission.
The directive given to the prophet Elisha to find Jehu emphasizes the importance of recognizing God’s chosen vessels. "Look out there Jehu" is a stirring call that suggests a need for discernment. Jehu was among his brethren; he was familiar and probably comfortable, yet God had a radical plan that required him to step out. This same call resonates with us today—we are often surrounded by familiarity that can deter us from fulfilling our divine destiny. Are we, like Jehu, willing to be set apart? Are we positioned to heed the call to arise from the comfort of our surroundings?
Notice the urgency in the command: "make him arise up from among his brethren." The arising here signifies more than a physical act; it symbolizes awakening to one’s identity and purpose. Jehu’s anointing as king initiated a profound transformation that shifted him from obscurity to prominence; from being a mere commander to being an instrument of God’s will. Similarly, we too are called to recognize the times in our lives when God nudges us to arise, to leave behind the complacency of the familiar, and to embrace the greater life He has mapped out for us.
The act of carrying him "to an inner chamber" further illustrates a profound intimacy with God’s purpose. The inner chamber represents a place of preparation, seclusion, and sacred encounter. It is where fear is replaced with courage and doubt is supplanted by conviction. For Jehu, this significant moment offered a decisive clarity about his calling. As believers, we are invited to our own inner chambers—those quiet times with God where the noise of the world fades, and His voice becomes the loudest. It is in these moments of solitude that He ignites passion within us and illuminates our paths.
Moreover, Jehu’s story serves as a reminder that divine purpose often intersects with cultural upheaval. Elisha’s anointing of Jehu occurs amid a tumultuous era in Israel's history, reflecting that God’s purposes are not thwarted by external circumstances. As we look around us, the chaos, and challenges of our day can feel overwhelming, yet we must remember that God is still at work. He elevates ordinary individuals like Jehu to extraordinary purposes amidst crises, demonstrating that His plans are greater than our concerns.
In conclusion, 2 Kings 9:2 invites us to examine our own lives through the lens of calling and purpose. Are we willing to step out from what is comfortable? Are we prepared to arise and allow God to prepare us in the inner chambers of His presence? May we heed the call to become instruments of change, anointed for purpose like Jehu, ready to impact our world for the glory of God. Let us remember that our lives matter in His grand narrative, and our obedience can lead to significant transformations, both in ourselves and in the communities around us.
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2 Kings 9:2 - "And when thou comest thither, look out there Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi, and go in, and make him arise up from among his brethren, and carry him to an inner chamber;"
"And when thou comest thither, look out there Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi, and go in, and make him arise up from among his brethren, and carry him to an inner chamber;" - 2 Kings 9:2
2 kings 9:34-36
2 Chronicles 9:22 - "And king Solomon passed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom."
2 Kings 9:9 - "And I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah:"
2 Kings 9:29 - "And in the eleventh year of Joram the son of Ahab began Ahaziah to reign over Judah."
2 Kings 9:4 - "¶ So the young man, even the young man the prophet, went to Ramoth-gilead."
2 Kings 9:23 - "And Joram turned his hands, and fled, and said to Ahaziah, There is treachery, O Ahaziah."
1 Kings 9:2 - "That the LORD appeared to Solomon the second time, as he had appeared unto him at Gibeon."
2 Kings 5:9 - "So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha."
2 Kings 9:31 - "And as Jehu entered in at the gate, she said, Had Zimri peace, who slew his master?"
2 Kings 9:35 - "And they went to bury her: but they found no more of her than the skull, and the feet, and the palms of her hands."
2 Kings 24:9 - "And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father had done."
2 Kings 13:9 - "And Jehoahaz slept with his fathers; and they buried him in Samaria: and Joash his son reigned in his stead."
2 Chronicles 9:26 - "¶ And he reigned over all the kings from the river even unto the land of the Philistines, and to the border of Egypt."
2 Kings 9:37 - "And the carcase of Jezebel shall be as dung upon the face of the field in the portion of Jezreel; so that they shall not say, This is Jezebel."
2 Kings 6:9 - "And the man of God sent unto the king of Israel, saying, Beware that thou pass not such a place; for thither the Syrians are come down."
2 Kings 9:16 - "So Jehu rode in a chariot, and went to Jezreel; for Joram lay there. And Ahaziah king of Judah was come down to see Joram."
2 Chronicles 9:14 - "Beside that which chapmen and merchants brought. And all the kings of Arabia and governors of the country brought gold and silver to Solomon."
2 Kings 9:28 - "And his servants carried him in a chariot to Jerusalem, and buried him in his sepulchre with his fathers in the city of David."
2 Chronicles 9:23 - "¶ And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, that God had put in his heart."
2 Kings 9:10 - "And the dogs shall eat Jezebel in the portion of Jezreel, and there shall be none to bury her. And he opened the door, and fled."
2 Kings 25:9 - "And he burnt the house of the LORD, and the king's house, and all the houses of Jerusalem, and every great man's house burnt he with fire."
2 Kings 9:13 - "Then they hasted, and took every man his garment, and put it under him on the top of the stairs, and blew with trumpets, saying, Jehu is king."
2 Kings 23:9 - "Nevertheless the priests of the high places came not up to the altar of the LORD in Jerusalem, but they did eat of the unleavened bread among their brethren."
2 Kings 3:9 - "So the king of Israel went, and the king of Judah, and the king of Edom: and they fetched a compass of seven days' journey: and there was no water for the host, and for the cattle that followed them."
2 Kings 16:9 - "And the king of Assyria hearkened unto him: for the king of Assyria went up against Damascus, and took it, and carried the people of it captive to Kir, and slew Rezin."
2 Kings 9:30 - "¶ And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window."
2 Kings 21:9 - "But they hearkened not: and Manasseh seduced them to do more evil than did the nations whom the LORD destroyed before the children of Israel."
2 Kings 4:9 - "And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually."