The behavior of Baasha does not escape the Lord and a prophet, Jehu, is sent to bear a message to Baasha in 1 Kings 16. The message is much the same as the one sent to Jeroboam, Baasha has sinned and God will see an end to his reign and his line. Sure enough Baasha dies, and his son, Elah becomes king but is killed by one of his military leaders, Zimri. Zimri wipes out the family of Baasha, God's word comes true.
Zimri is not long for office, just seven days to be exact. When the army of Israel hears about Zimri's revolt, Omri, the army commander, marches against him. Zimri then retreats into the the citadel and burns it down while he was in it. Omri becomes king, but it would seem he too follows the path of sin.
It is important to note that historical evidence offers a glimpse grandeur of Israel during the reign of Omri and his son, Ahab. Israel becomes a regional power and the economy prospers. Israel eclipses its brother Judah in its might. Scripture, however, has an unflattering picture of the northern kingdom.
Clearly if Israel is to get back on track signs need to be sent. In 1 Kings 17 the prophet Elijah appears on the seen and God sends word through him that a drought will fall upon the land, which it does. Elijah will be cared for by God who sends ravens to provide food for him.
Elijah is then sent into the region of Sidon, from the land where Jezebel, wife of King Ahab, comes from to find a widow who will care for him. It is symbolic that Elijah goes into the land that traditionally worships Baal, but Baal is an impotent god who cannot bring relief from the drought and death. God, however, brings abundance, in the form of meal, and life, in the form of the resuscitated boy, in the land of Baal. The authors are attempting to demonstrate how God is the only true God and the bringer of life.
This confrontation between God and Baal will come to a head in the next chapter.
Psalm 58
Where can justice be found? That is the question of the psalmist in a scathing critique of "gods" and the ruling elite. Justice is to be found in the actions of people, it is not some far off concept, it is available to us but we choose not to pursue it. Or at least the rulers of the day have refused to follow and pursue it.
Because humans, the powerful anyway, have failed, the psalmist cries out to God who will surely bring justice. This is a call from the powerless to God to bring about righteousness.
It is a reminder that peace and justice are achievable, even for us. Yes, God will bring justice in the Kingdom but we are able to live in justice as well, if we truly choose to pursue it.
Psalm 59
In another plea for deliverance this psalm is from an individual who is offering up for a community. The wicked surround the righteous and persecute them. The psalmist pleas for God to intervene, but not to kill the wicked but to bring them down so that all will know of God's power and might. So perhaps then others will be convinced to turn back to God.
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