And they brake down the image of Baal, and brake down the house of Baal, and made it a draught house unto this day.
Jehu broke the idolatrous images of Baal and demolished Baal's temple, leaving it in ruins. That demolition was part of his stern reform that destroyed Baal worship, slew wicked Jezebel and all the house of Ahab, set aside the priests of Baal and of Ashtoreth, and threw down their heathen altars.
The reform came after judgment upon judgment had fallen on apostate Israel under Hazael the Syrian, who was anointed to scourge the nation. It belonged to the reformation begun by Elijah and carried forward by Elisha. It unfolded while continued wars with Syria under Jehoahaz, Jehu's successor, had cost cities east of the Jordan and it seemed the Syrians might gain control of the whole kingdom.
The destruction expressed God's love and compassion for erring Israel, especially for those whose moral power was weak. He foresaw that if the temptation of heathenism were removed, some would forsake it, turn heavenward, inquire after Him, and choose to serve Him with all the heart. So the calamities He permitted were judgments tempered with mercy, and when His purpose was accomplished He turned the tide in favor of those who had learned to seek Him. Jehu's zeal against Baal does not make his manner of speech a model, so his work warns against pouring out harsh, unbefitting words.
Jehu broke the idolatrous images of Baal and demolished Baal's temple, leaving it in ruins. That demolition was part of his stern reform that destroyed Baal worship, slew wicked Jezebel and all the house of Ahab, set aside the priests of Baal and of Ashtoreth, and threw down their heathen altars.
The reform came after judgment upon judgment had fallen on apostate Israel under Hazael the Syrian, who was anointed to scourge the nation. It belonged to the reformation begun by Elijah and carried forward by Elisha. It unfolded while continued wars with Syria under Jehoahaz, Jehu's successor, had cost cities east of the Jordan and it seemed the Syrians might gain control of the whole kingdom.
The destruction expressed God's love and compassion for erring Israel, especially for those whose moral power was weak. He foresaw that if the temptation of heathenism were removed, some would forsake it, turn heavenward, inquire after Him, and choose to serve Him with all the heart. So the calamities He permitted were judgments tempered with mercy, and when His purpose was accomplished He turned the tide in favor of those who had learned to seek Him. Jehu's zeal against Baal does not make his manner of speech a model, so his work warns against pouring out harsh, unbefitting words.