Do you ever giggle when you read the Bible?  I do. 

Maybe it’s because I have an overactive sense of humor; maybe it’s because I find God’s comedic timing brilliant; either way, there are some things in the Bible that are just plain funny to me.

One of those things, to be specific, comes straight from a story in 2 Kings 10.

Idolatry had run amok in Israel under King Ahab and his treacherous wife Jezebel.  Quite the evil pair, this royal duo wreaked havoc wherever they went.  Instituting the worship of Baal was just one of the many ways they openly oppressed the children of God.

Following years of abusive and tyrannical reign, their final days in authority found them squaring off with the prophet Elijah (I Kings 18); being rebuked and judged by God (I Kings 20 – 21); and dying in some very miserable and dramatic fashions (I Kings 22: 29-39 & 2 Kings 9: 30-37).

During this time, Jehu rose to the forefront and was an active participant in Jezebel’s demise.  Following her death, Jehu went on to exterminate the Baal worship that had seeped into Israel.

2 Kings 10: 18-27 describes a vivid scene as Jehu rallied all the “servants of Baal” to come to the “temple of Baal”.  When these men arrived and were secure inside the temple, Jehu had his guards and officers go in and kill them all.

(If you’re still reading, you’re probably wondering what I found funny.  Nothing yet.  So far, this story is pretty heavy.  Hang in there, the punchline is right around the corner.)

After that, Jehu and his men completely destroyed everything in the temple and then went on to utterly demolish the temple itself.  Guess what they turned that place into once they finished leveling it? 

A POTTY!!

(And this is where I chuckled.)

2 Kings 10:27 says, “Then they tore down the temple of Baal and made it a latrine (A POTTY!) – which it still is today.”

We could spend a long time talking about the various pictures and meaningful analogies here, but simply put, we all know why we use the bathroom.  The fact that this former idol-worshipping site was good for nothing more than an outhouse is humorous and insightful.

The very first commandment that God gave His people was, “Do not have any other gods besides me.” (Exodus 20:3)

He quickly followed with the second commandment which was similar –

“Do not make an idol for yourself…do not bow in worship to them, and do not serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God…showing faithful love to…those who love Me and keep My commands.” (Exodus 20:4)

God’s heart is always towards His children – always has been; always will be.  He created us, ultimately, to love and glorify Him.  Sin complicated that original, beautiful plan, but even so, our hearts always long for Him. 

He knows that loving anyone or anything more than Him sets us up for heartbreak. 

He graciously warns us about idolatry for this reason and gives us plenty of examples in Scriptures of just how terribly things went for those who got swept up in it…or should I say, flushed away with it?  (Giggle…)

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.  This is the greatest and most important command.” (Matthew 22:37 & 38)

Until next time, Grace and Glory!