In the Book of Deuteronomy, Moses wrote about an aspect of God that we see in our reading today. Vengeance is mine, and recompense … for he avenges the blood of his children and takes vengeance on his adversaries. He repays those who hate him and cleanses his people’s land. (Deuteronomy 32:35, 43, ESV)
Israel has become a wicked and idolatrous place. King Ahab, his wife Jezebel, and his family have done violence to the prophets and servants of the Lord. They have attempted to erase the LORD from Israel’s conscience through wicked idolatry. The time has come for a reckoning. A young prophet has been instructed to anoint a new king and pass on some instructions. You are to destroy the family of Ahab, your master. In this way, I will avenge the murder of my prophets and all the Lord’s servants who were killed by Jezebel. The entire family of Ahab must be wiped out. I will destroy every one of his male descendants, slave and free alike, anywhere in Israel. (2 Kings 9:7–8, NLT) Ahab’s time of evil is over.
At times, it can seem as though violence, injustice, and the prosperity and power of evil people go unanswered. When we don’t see evil dealt with immediately, we can become discouraged, cynical, bitter, angry, and even convinced that we must repay evil for evil. It is especially hard when human government applauds wickedness or is the source of such wickedness. Does God notice? Will He answer? These are hard moments.
Psalm 73 helps comfort us in the face of these questions and the seeming prosperity of evildoers in any age. Yes, God takes notice! Yes, God will recommence evil. Yes, we can trust Him with our situations. Let’s draw near to God in these times; God will answer all evil in His way.
Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from 2 Kings 9-11.