In Second Kings, chapter ten, verse thirty-one, Jehu, though zealous for God, did not serve Him with all his heart. He permitted the worship of the golden calves for political reasons, as in verse twenty-nine, and took little interest in God’s law. Therefore, spiritual reformation for Israel did not progress because of a leadership failure involving personal ambition and a love of power.
He abolished the worship of Baal but did not keep up the worship of God nor walk in his law. He showed great zeal and care for rooting out a false religion, but Jehu showed no care and took no heed of the true one. He was not solicitous to please God and do his duty. The character of Jehu is not difficult to understand. He is one of those men recognized not for what is good in themselves but as instruments for destroying evil and preparing the way for good.
The heart of Jehu, his whole heart, was not engaged in or influenced by religion, nor was he zealous for the glory of God and the advancement of valid and genuine piety in himself and others. The evidence of his doctrine was very superficial, yet God used him as an instrument of some reformation in Israel. It is a pity that those who do good to others are not always good themselves.
Great revivals and reformation die when self-seeking interests take priority over God’s purpose. Jehu served God for motives tainted by carnal self-interest rather than sincere concern for truth and righteousness. God later punished his house.
Those who are heedless are to be feared are graceless. The people were also careless. Therefore, it is not strange that the Lord began to cut Israel short. They were short in their duty to God, and God cut them short in their extent, wealth, and power.