Instruction vs Execution.

Instruction vs Execution.

Today we’re looking at 2 Kings 9:3, the prophet Elisha instructs a young prophet to anoint Jehu as king over Israel, telling him to pour oil on Jehu’s head, declare him king and then instructs him to flee without delay.

Elisha mentions a short quote and asks that a prophet repeat that brief passage to Jehu but once there, the prophet gives Jehu quite a lengthy citation, rather than the fleeting one as instructed. The question is; why? Why a long sentence and not a short one?

In taking such liberty this brings to the fore a fascinating glimpse into how divine spontaneity and prophetic authority work hand in hand.

Elisha tells the young prophet to go to Jehu, anoint him and say; “Thus says the Lord, I have anointed you king over Israel.” Elisha concludes that the prophet flee immediately, once the message is delivered.

While the prophet was instructed to flee, to avoid potential harm from the current king and his wife (Ahab and Jezebel), Jehu is expected to rise and take charge after his anointing.

When the prophet actually meets Jehu, he delivers the words spoken by Elisha but also adds a much longer prophetic word, including a divine charge to strike down the house of Ahab, a declaration of vengeance for the blood of God’s servants and a prophecy about Jezebel’s gruesome death.

That’s not what was asked of him, so why does the prophet expand on the matter?

There are a number of explanations for doing this;

1. Some scholars believe it to be prophetic inspiration in the moment, perhaps having been overtaken by the Holy Spirit and led to speak these words.

2. It’s also possible that Elisha only gave a summary of instruction, where the full speech was not written down in the scriptures but known to the prophet.

3. Or maybe it was more of a ‘thematic emphasis’ where an underlying idea is central but there’s room for expansion. This is an invitation for Jehu to not just be crowned king but also commissioned as an agent of justice.

4. Perhaps it’s a ‘narrative technique.’ The distinction between a brief instruction and the full speech used in effect, to build suspense before delivering the full weight of God’s judgement through the prophet’s words.

5. Lastly is the fact of spiritual insight. God’s word overflowing human boundaries; a connection between God and a deeper revelation through the prophet himself, turning a simple task into one of justice, truth or divine timing.

Intention is the pulse, animating both instruction and execution, the inner compass that guides towards meaning. It isn’t just the goal or outcome – it’s the why beneath the what.

When we read scripture, we need to open the pages of our book with an inquisitive mind. We need to ask the five w’s and how. What, when, where, why, who and how. Picture yourself in the story. Ask what the story means in relationship to yourself and where you are in life. In doing so, God’s word takes on new meaning. It challenges us to go deeper.

In going deeper, we find the hidden gems, the nuggets of gold; things we see which are relevant to us. Isn’t that the intention of reading God’s word, to find the relevant truths buried within its pages?

Ask what is the central message, what’s the author’s main point, why was the passage included in the bible. Look at what’s happened before and after the verse. How does it relate to you, to others, to the story itself?

When you ask questions, when you dig deeper and scratch well beneath the surface, then you’re approaching what Jesus is looking for in a disciple. Jesus spoke in parables because not every word spoken was for every person. But those who came back later and asked, those were the people who got the deeper revelations. That’s what I want; deep revelations, all of what Jesus has to offer. I’m assuming that’s what you want as well.