The Comforting Side of the Terrible Swift Sword: 2 Kings #13
This is an exposition of 2 Kings 9:1-37. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, September 25, 2016.
Intro:
It is basic to human nature. It is part of our being created in the image and likeness of God. We desire to see justice done. No one wants to see evil triumph. When people are wronged, when people are violated, we want to see the perpetrator held accountable. This is true in our lives individually and its true as a society. Thus we cheer when oppressive dictators fall. We breathe a collective sigh of relief when wrongs are righted. It is also why we are angered when “nothing” happens! It’s why we are impatient, at times, with God especially when we think He has forgotten His promise. Back in 1 Kings 19 God outlined His policy and ordained the instruments of His judgement upon Israel but we come to 2 Kings 1 Kings 8 and it hasn’t happened yet. “LORD, where are you? What’s going on?” Things begin to start rolling in 1 Kings 8 but it is here in 1 Kings 9 we reach the shouting point! I don’t consider myself hardened or bloodthirsty but I will admit there are times when I’m watching a movie or tv show and that character who has just been so cruel and so conniving finally gets what is coming to them, I cheer. There is no question about their guilt. They know they are guilty, the hero of the show knows they are guilty – everyone watching knows they are guilt – when they are shot or killed there is that part of me that says, “Justice!” That’s how I feel reading 2 Kings 1 Kings 9. It’s been a long time coming but we are finally able to say, “Justice!” I mentioned back in our study of 1 Kings R.G. Lee’s sermon, Payday Someday. In that sermon Lee masterfully deals with the whole saga of Naboth, Ahab and Jezebel. The thrust of Lee’s sermon is that there is a payday. No one gets away with anything. The sovereign Judge of the heaven and earth will ultimately see that justice is served. In 2 Kings 1 Kings 9 we witness the justice of the terrible swift sword.
Text: 2 Kings 9:1-37
As 2 Kings 9 unfolds we are reminded of the fact that…
Thesis: The picture of God as a consuming fire ought to strike fear in the hearts of those who stand outside of His grace and yet bring comfort to His afflicted children who long to see justice served.
There are three (3) things I want to call to your attention out of this text.
- Our God governs the rise and fall of nations. (9:1-16)
- When He comes in judgment nothing will detour Him and judgment will be thorough and terrifying. (9:14-22, 23-37)
- Judgment delayed is not judgment denied. (9:25-26)
(Yahweh is vigilant to avenge His suffering people.)