Now, summon all the prophets of Baal, all his worshipers and all his priests; let no one be missing, for I have a great sacrifice for Baal; whoever is missing shall not live." But Jehu did it in cunning, so that he might destroy the worshipers of Baal.Once again, treachery is used to destroy God's enemies. In this case, Jehu is planning a massacre, luring all worshipers of Baal into his temple, where they can be isolated and slaughtered. He tells them that any who do not show up will be killed, when the opposite is true. And later in the chapter, God seems to express his approval of Jehu's actions.
I've never been comfortable with the way it seems to keep repeating in the Old Testament the pattern that a follower of God uses lies and deception to further His goals. If Jehu had not lied, would this blasphemy have been impossible to uproot? Could not God have stirred the hearts of the people if Jehu had declared that any who worship Baal should be put to death? Why did he have to lie?
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