Sunday, Jun 21

Week 7 • 2 Kings 9-10 • Jehu's Violent Coup • June 21

Scripture

Matthew 7:24-27 • House on the Rock 24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

Dialogue

Today: How will I persist? Will I persist in compromise? Will I persist in not compromising? When compromise involves morals, convictions, or integrity, it usually refers to yielding or sacrificing something that should not be surrendered.

Dialogue

On the handout, give each item a score from 0-7 on their importance in holding FAMILY, FAITH, FINANCES together. 0 - this doesn’t carry any weight in holding FAMILY / FAITH / FINANCES together 7 - this is absolutely essential in holding FAMILY / FAITH / FINANCES together

Dialogue

What stands out as you look at your scores?

Dialogue

What are the costs of overestimating or underestimating the importance of something in maintaining health and stability over time?

Scripture

Exodus 32:1 • People ask Aaron to make them a god 1 When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, “Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.”

Scripture

Exodus 32:4 • Golden calf 4 He took what they handed him and made it into an idol cast in the shape of a calf, fashioning it with a tool. Then they said, “These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.”

Scripture

Exodus 32:7-8 • God tells Moses what the people are doing 7 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go down, because your people, whom you brought up out of Egypt, have become corrupt. 8 They have been quick to turn away from what I commanded them and have made themselves an idol cast in the shape of a calf. They have bowed down to it and sacrificed to it and have said, ‘These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.’”

Scripture

Exodus 32:9-10 • I will destroy them 9 “I have seen these people,” the Lord said to Moses, “and they are a stiff-necked people. 10 Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them. Then I will make you into a great nation.”

Scripture

Exodus 32:19-20 • Moses destroys the calf 19 When Moses approached the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, his anger burned and he threw the tablets out of his hands, breaking them to pieces at the foot of the mountain. 20 And he took the calf the people had made and burned it in the fire; then he ground it to powder, scattered it on the water and made the Israelites drink it.

Dialogue

What fears or pressures might lead someone to do something “bad” in order to hold things together?

Scripture

2 Kings 9:1-3 • Jehu Anointed King of Israel 1 The prophet Elisha summoned a man from the company of the prophets and said to him, “Tuck your cloak into your belt, take this flask of olive oil with you and go to Ramoth Gilead. 2 When you get there, look for Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi. Go to him, get him away from his companions and take him into an inner room. 3 Then take the flask and pour the oil on his head and declare, ‘This is what the Lord says: I anoint you king over Israel.’ Then open the door and run; don’t delay!”

Scripture

2 Kings 9:6-8 • Destroy Ahab’s family 6 Jehu got up and went into the house. Then the prophet poured the oil on Jehu’s head and declared, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anoint you king over the Lord’s people Israel. 7 You are to destroy the house of Ahab your master, and I will avenge the blood of my servants the prophets and the blood of all the Lord’s servants shed by Jezebel. 8 The whole house of Ahab will perish.”

Scripture

2 Kings 10:28-29 • The HOWEVER moment 28 So Jehu destroyed Baal worship in Israel. 29 However, he did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit—the worship of the golden calves at Bethel and Dan.

Scripture

1 Kings 12:26-29 • The making of golden calves 26 Jeroboam thought to himself, “The kingdom will now likely revert to the house of David. 27 If these people go up to offer sacrifices at the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem, they will again give their allegiance to their lord, Rehoboam king of Judah. They will kill me and return to King Rehoboam.” 28 After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves. He said to the people, “It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.” 29 One he set up in Bethel, and the other in Dan.

Scripture

2 Kings 10:29 • HOWEVER 29 However, he did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit—the worship of the golden calves at Bethel and Dan.

Dialogue

How do these things impact efforts in holding things together? Fear of the unknown Wanting to keep control Preserving the status quo Insecurity Pride

Scripture

Matthew 7:24-27 • House on the Rock 24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

Dialogue

What are some keys for you to grow in being good at holding things together without compromising? (Maintaining health and stability over time)

Take it deeper

Carry the message through your week

Additional reading

  • Matthew 5 • Kingdom Character
  • John 15 • Abiding in Christ
  • Colossians 3 • Put On the New Self
  • Ephesians 4 • Walk in New Life
  • Philippians 2 • Mind of Christ
  • 2 Kings 11 • Hidden King Restored
  • 2 Kings 12 • Temple Repair and Reform

Questions to sit with

  1. Question 1

    Read Romans 12:1-2.

  2. Question 2

    Who are some people that have inspired you? What have they done? What stands out to you about them? How have they impacted your life and who you are?

  3. Question 3

    Take a moment to marvel at God’s mercy. What has it accomplished? What stands out to you about God’s mercy? How has it impacted your life and who you are?

  4. Question 4

    What breaks if a person tries to live a transformed life and ignores God’s mercy?

  5. Question 5

    What happens if a person tries to live a transformed life and fully embraces God’s mercy?

  6. Question 6

    How are you challenged, focused, encouraged, and/or confused by this text?

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