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By Mrs. Bessie WUbon INTRODUCTION Jehu’s record is a bloody one. He represents much that is the very opposite of the qualities Jesus commended. Jesus exalted poverty of spirit, Jehu was proud; Jesus called for mercy, Jehu exemplified cruelty; Jesus was a peace maker, Jehu a man of war. We are confronted here with some of the moral difficulties we face in reading the Old Testament. It is a fact that Jesus taught self-sacrifice .rather than violence and destruction. He not only taught *ms, but he exemplified it in His life. When He was struck (He bore it; when He was cursed He did not curse back when He was crucified He prayed for God’s forgive^ ness for those who did the deed. It is noteworthy that when a Samaritan village refused to receive Jesus, James and John asked if they should not pray for fire to rain down upon it. It is significant that they added, “as Elijah did,” (Luke 9:54; see Kings 1:10-12). Jesus replied that they did not know what manner of spirit they were of. That is, His spirit was one of salvation, not destruction. Jehu first appears in the Biblical account in God’s instruction to Elijah on Mount Hareb. The prophet was told to anoint “Jehu the son of Nemshi...to be king over Israel,” (1 Kings 19:12-16). During Joram’s reign Jehu was anointed by a messenger sent to him by Elijah’s successor Elisha. , ' Ahab’s widow, Jezebel, was living at the palace in Jezreel. As Jehu’s retinue came into the city she leaned out a window and cried out against him. At once Jehu ordered her thrown down, and she was cast down into the courtyard and killed. Jehu contemptuously drove his chariot over her body and went on his way. After going on into the city, he ate a meal. Then he asked that Jezebel’s body be buried because, after all, she was the daughter of a king. The next possible barrier of Jehu’s reign was that a son of Ahab might put forth a claim to the throne. All of Ahab’s male descendants were living in the capital city, Samaria. Jehu at once sent a message to those in authority at Samaria, inviting them to elect one of Ahab’s des cendents as king it they wanted to oppose Jehu’s claim to the control of the realm. Then he would fight this claimant. Of course, if they did put someone forward they could be sure Jehu would show no mercy toward any of them if, as was most likely, he was victorious in the struggle. They at once answered Jehu that they were willing to do whatever he asked - they were his servants. There upon he required the heads of all the king’s sons to be brought to him the next day. This was done, and Jehu displayed them in two heaps at the gates of Jezreel and said he did not kill them. However, all legitimate heirs to Ahab’s throne had been eliminated. Not content with this, Jehu proceeded to slajr all of iUiab’s friends and supporters, (2 Kings 10:1-11). On his way to Samaria, Jehu met a group of relatives of Ahaziah, king of Judah, who had come to visit their relatives at Jezreel. At once Jehu took them prisoners and had them killed. Forty-two men were in this group. Soon after this Jehu decided it was essential to deal with the leaders of the Baal cult in Israel. This had been Jezebel’s special concern, and she had been supported by Ahab. Is violence the way to victory? Many feel their particular aim can best be accomplished by violence. From time to time various segments of the church have believed that violence was the best way to restrain heresy. So Christians have tortured other Christians, Bible translators have been strangled, and whole population areas have been decimated. The results never have been very satisfactory or lasting. It is true that some types of change have been affected by severe persecution and violence. Spain in great numbers at one time, and Moslems wiped out much of Christianity in Northern Africa. But such “victories” were accomplished at great social cost, which those societies still pay after hundreds of years. Jehu was commis sioned by God to execute the house of Ahab and thus avenge the blood of all God’s servants whom Jezebel had slain. This Jehu did, and for his obedience he was commended by God. But it seems that Jehu’s savagery and brutality went beyond the limits of necessity. Not only did he slay Ahab’s 70 male descendants in Samaria and all that remained of Ahab’s house in Samaria and Jezreel, but he also slew all of Ahab’s friends. In bloody fashion, Jehu eradicated Baal worship, under the apparent motive of zeal for the Lord. But his refusal to turn from worshipping the calves erected by Jeraboam casts doubt on his dedication to God and makes one wonder if personal ambition were not the stronger motivating force for that slaughter. Baal worship seems to have been exterminated from Israel by Jehu’s actions, but physical force against outward action does not necessarily effect a change of heart. Jehu’s reform ultimately came to naught, because less than 100 years following his death, the northern kingdom came to an end, falling under the might of the Assyrian hordes. Christian key words are not might, bite, and spite - but grace, mercy, and peace. STEELE CREEK AME Homecoming and Revival will be held at Steele Creek AME Zion Church, 6414 York Rd. beginning Sunday, July 33. On Sunday Rev. William Lee, pastor of Silver Mt. Baptist Church will be the guest speaker. At 7 p m Rev. Sholtz, pastor of Mt. Zion AME Zion Church will deliver the message. Dinner will be served Sunday at 2 m . > Revival will begin July 23 and last until the 37th. Rev. Leon Riddick, pastor of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, will be the evangelist for the week. Services will begin each evening at 7 p.m. Rev. Fred McCullough is pastor of Steele Creek. The public is cordially invited to all services at the church. t TEMPLE CHAPEL Women’s Day will be observed at Temple Chapel. Beatrice Thompson, newscaster for WBTV Channel 3, will be the guest speaker during the 11 a m. service. The public is cordially invited to attend. •4 Opinion On The Street Female Vice President Meets Voters’ Approval History was made last week when Democratic presidential hopeful Walter Mondale chose e woman, Rep. Geraldine Ferraro of New York, to be his vice presidential running mate. What does the average citizen think of Mondale’s historic decision? Will the choice of a woman, who would be next in line for the nation’s top office, hurt Mondale or help him? Post reporter Audrey Lodato took to the streets to find out what Charlotteans think about Mondale’s move. Here are their responses: James Douglas of Park Avenue: "It's fine with me. I think it may have helped Mondale It won’t influence my vote one way or the other.” Eva Taylor, Den view Lane: As far as a lady vice president, I guess it’ll be okay. We’ll never know unless we try. I really don’t know if it’ll help or hurt him. It won't influence my vote.”. Eliza Rice, Barringer Drive: “I haven't thought about it, but if that’s what Mondale wants, I see no fault in it. I think it would’ve looked better if he’d chosen a man, but it doesn’t matter tojne.” _ ~ Angela Lowery, S. Tryon: “I think it’s okay. It depends on how she’ll turn out. I don’t know if it will affect my vote. I'm sure there will be some disturbance about it.” Peggy Hinton, W. Park Avenue: “I think it’s a good choice. I think it’ll help Mondale, especially with: women. It won’t influence me.” Walter Bogans, Kingston Avenue: "I think it’s a good thing because women have been the backbone of ..Walter Bogans the family. A woman knows how to stretch a dollar. She wouldn't be eager to jump into things without first checking them out. I’d vote for her and I think it’ll help Mondale, both with women voters and with minorities.” - „ . , Harry D Freeman, Park Avenue: “It’s a good idea I’ll vote for them. The nation needs_to take a turn." Harry D. Freeman Angela Lowery i/ilii Ail yiJATJii J*) 7717 CiJAWili'/ii >l>6'ji A^i 77il_M£l 71AJ TOliJ A»iii£JA7i AiJWiilii* »AIO)*NISC THEN! Peggy Hinton Support Our Advertisers and white and fful off EXCITEMENT CHECK JIS OUT^ IF SAVING MONEY IS YOUR 0AG.....VOU CAN REALLY DO IT IN OURS. THE FOLKS AT 3 GUYS CAN SAVE YOU MONEY THIS WEEK ON YOUR GROCERY BILL ... OTHER STORES PASS-ON HIDDEN CHARGES TO COVER THEIR EXPENSES - LIKE FANCY FACILITIES HUGE ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS, CONTESTS AND PROMOTIONS ... AT 3 GUYS, WE'VE ELIMINATED THE FANCY FRILLS AND PASS THE SAVINGS ON TO YOU! SO MAKE THE SWITCH TODAY SHOP AND SAVE THE 3 GUYS WAY EVERYDAY... IT JUST DOESN'T MAKE “CENTS" TO SHOP ANYWHERE ELSE! CHARLOTTE 5420 N. Tryon St. 931 Wendover Rd. Open Mon.-Wed. 9 to 8; Thurs., Fri. 9 to 9 Satur day 9 to 8; Sunday 12 to 6 WE ACCEPT PERSONAL CHECKS. PAYROLL CHECKS- SOCIAL SECURITY CHECKS. 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The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.)
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July 19, 1984, edition 1
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