Joram asked, “Jehu, is this a peaceful visit?” “How can there be peace?” Jehu asked. “Your mother Jezebel has caused everyone to worship idols and practise witchcraft.”
When broken branches fall to the ground, women pick them up to feed the fire. But these people are so stupid that the God who created them will show them no mercy.
Then I will smash them against each other like jars. I will have no pity on the young or the old, and they will all be destroyed. I, the LORD, have spoken.
I am angry with you, so I will let them be very cruel. They will cut off your nose and ears; they will kill your children and put to death anyone in your family who is still alive.
At this, the angel said, “LORD All-Powerful, for seventy years you have been angry with Jerusalem and the towns of Judah. When are you ever going to have mercy on them?”
But you are doing exactly what your father does.” “Don't accuse us of having someone else as our father!” they said. “We just have one father, and he is God.”
Now you see both how kind and how hard God can be. He was hard on those who fell, but he was kind to you. And he will keep on being kind to you, if you keep on trusting in his kindness. Otherwise, you will be cut away too.