Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 7, 2025

“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.” – “in righteousness He judges and wages war.”

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Kings 9:1-13.

“Now Elisha the prophet called one of the sons of the prophets and said to him, “Gird up your loins, and take this flask of oil in your hand and go to Ramoth-gilead.  When you arrive there, search out Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi, and go in and bid him arise from among his brothers, and bring him to an inner room.  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.”

So the young man, the servant of the prophet, went to Ramoth-gilead.  When he came, behold, the captains of the army were sitting, and he said, “I have a word for you, O captain.”  And Jehu said, “For which one of us?”  And he said, “For you, O captain.”  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.  You shall strike the house of Ahab your master, that I may avenge the blood of My servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the LORD, at the hand of Jezebel.  For the whole house of Ahab shall perish, and I will cut off from Ahab every male person both bond and free in Israel.  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.  The dogs shall eat Jezebel in the territory of Jezreel, and none shall bury her.’”  Then he opened the door and fled.

Now Jehu came out to the servants of his master, and one said to him, “Is all well?  Why did this mad fellow come to you?”  And he said to them, “You know very well the man and his talk.”  They said, “It is a lie, tell us now.”  And he said, “Thus and thus he said to me, ‘Thus says the LORD, “I have anointed you king over Israel.”’”  Then they hurried and each man took his garment and placed it under him on the bare steps, and blew the trumpet, saying, “Jehu is king!”  2 Kings 9:1-13.

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This is an example of the LORD exercising justice and righteousness on the earth, and we are exhorted by the following Scripture to understand and know the LORD, including these qualities of the LORD.  The LORD caused Jehu to be anointed king over Israel for the purpose of destroying the whole house of Ahab.  Verses 7-10.

And yet, the god of other doctrine is some type of Santa Claus figure who loves everyone and wants to save everyone.  There is too little preaching and teaching thereunder of the LORD exercising justice and righteousness on the earth. 

“Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches;  but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth;  for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.”  Jeremiah 9:23-24.

“The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice;
Let the many islands be glad.
2 Clouds and thick darkness surround Him;
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.” Psalm 97:1-2.

“But I will warn you whom to fear:  fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell;  yes, I tell you, fear Him!”  Luke 12:5. 

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10.

“And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war.  His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems;  and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself.  He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.  And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses.  From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron;  and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty.  And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”  Revelation 19:11-16. 

“10 Now therefore, O kings, show discernment;
Take warning, O judges of the earth.
11 Worship the LORD with reverence
And rejoice with trembling.
12 Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way,
For His wrath may soon be kindled.
How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!” Psalm 2:10-12.


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