Sin Makes Peace Impossible

Note from today’s Bible reading: 2 Kings 9-11

Elisha anointed Jehu to be king over Israel while Joram was still reigning (2 Kings 9:1-3). Afterward, Joram was injured in battle against the Arameans and returned to Jezreel to recover (2 Kings 9:14-15).

While Joram was in Jezreel, Ahaziah, the king of Judah, came to visit him (2 Kings 9:16). At the same time, Jehu was driving “furiously” to reach the king (2 Kings 9:20).

When Joram heard that Jehu was coming, he and Ahaziah “went out, each in his chariot…to meet Jehu and found him in the property of Naboth the Jezreelite” (2 Kings 9:21). Naboth was the innocent man that Jezebel conspired to kill so that Ahab, Joram’s father (2 Kings 8:25), could acquire his vineyard (1 Kings 21:1-16). Joram said to Jehu, “Is it peace, Jehu?” Jehu answered, “What peace, so long as the harlotries of your mother Jezebel and her witchcraft are so many?” (2 Kings 9:22). Upon hearing this and realizing he was in danger, Joram fled and was killed by an arrow shot by Jehu (2 Kings 9:23-24).

Ahab and Jezebel were wicked rulers over the nation of Israel. Joram followed in their footsteps. Jehu explained that as long as their sin continued, the kingdom could never have peace. The same point is true today in the Lord’s kingdom (church).

So remember that sin makes peace impossible. If we want to enjoy unity with our brethren, we need to put away sin from our midst. Tolerating sin will only lead to more sin, division, and strife among us.