(REFLECTIONS ON 2 Kings 9:1-37)

In today’s Scripture, Elisha sent one of the sons of the prophets to deliver a message to Jehu, captain and military leader for Joram king of Israel. The young man was to deliver the message and then to anoint Jehu as the next king of Israel. These were Elisha’s instructions,

3 “Then take the flask of oil and pour it on his head and say, ‘Thus says the Lord, “I have anointed you king over Israel.”‘ Then open the door and flee and do not wait.”

The young man did as he was instructed,

6 He arose and went into the house, and he poured the oil on his head and said to him, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘I have anointed you king over the people of the Lord, even over Israel.

Afterwards, just as Elisha had instructed, the young man opened the door and fled. Jehu then conspired against Joram king of Israel eventually killing him, Ahaziah king of Judah, and Jezebel queen of Israel in a way that fulfilled the prophecy from when Elijah was still prophet of the Lord, concerning the house of Ahab and Jezebel.

As I was meditating on the messenger, the young man, one of the sons of the prophets, opening the door and fleeing, it occurred to me that his role was simple, deliver the message, anoint Jehu, and not to have anything to do with what would happen after that.

Be the messenger is the reminder for today. As followers of Jesus Christ, witnesses of our Lord and Savior, let us be the messenger. Let us bring the message of the Gospel both in word and deed, and that’s it.

Let us not turn the Gospel into anything else but the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Be the messenger is a reminder that we are not to get involved in the following conspiracy, the attack on the kings of Israel, Judah, and Jezebel the queen.

Yes sometimes we get too involved in the politics, the traditions, the culture, because we take on a role that is more than just a messenger, but rather get way more involved in things than we were ever supposed to do. Let us not speak of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, and then try to become the savior in His stead.

Be the messenger is a reminder to keep the main thing, the main thing, that is Jesus Christ, our Lord, our Savior, and our King.

Pastor Michael Lu
Enduring Word Bible Commentary: 2 Kings 9