The Dangers of Fairy Tale Christianity. (2 Kings 10: 1-36)

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Episode Notes: The Dangers of Fairy Tale Christianity. (2 Kings 10: 1-36)

What does it mean to follow God faithfully — not too hot, not too cold, not too soft, not too hard?

 There’s a story in the Old Testament that gives us a surprising picture.

It’s the story of a king named Jehu, a man anointed by God for a very specific task. And the way he carried out that task shows us both the dangers of distorted religion and the beauty of obedience that is “just right.” The type of belief that is just a Fairy Tale.

Transcript

The Dangers of Fairytale Christianity. (2 Kings 10: 1-36)

Once upon a time… three bears lived in a cottage in the woods.

You know the story.

A big bear, a middle‑sized bear, and a little wee bear.

Three bowls of porridge — one too hot, one too cold, one just right.

Three chairs — one too hard, one too soft, one just right.

Three beds — one too high, one too low, one just right.

Goldilocks wanders in, tastes, tests, samples, and finally settles on the version that suits her best, the one that feels “just right.”

It’s a charming little tale.

But it also exposes something about us.

Because if we’re honest, there is a kind of Christianity that works the same way.

A version that’s too hot, all zeal, no wisdom.

A version that’s too cold — all doctrine without the warmth of the fire of the Holy Spirit

A version that’s too hard — rigid, harsh, unforgiving.

A version that’s too soft — sentimental, shallow, without conviction.

And then… There is a version that is just right.

The opposite of Fairytale Christianity, not because it’s comfortable, but because it is true. It is balanced. It is faithful. It is neither extreme nor empty. It is the kind of faith that actually pleases God.

So, the question becomes: What does “just right” Christianity look like?  

What does it mean to follow God faithfully — not too hot, not too cold, not too soft, not too hard?

There’s a story in the Old Testament that gives us a surprising picture.

It’s the story of a king named Jehu, a man anointed by God for a very specific task. And the way he carried out that task shows us both the dangers of distorted religion and the beauty of obedience that is “just right.”

So, let’s step into 2 Kings 10, but first, let me set the stage.

In the previous chapter, God sent one of the young prophets to anoint Jehu as king. But the anointing came with a mission — a difficult one.

2 Kings 9:7 tells us he had to: “Strike down the house of Ahab… that I may avenge the blood of My servants.”

Why such a severe command?

Because the northern kingdom of Israel had been plunged into idolatry. Jerusalem, the true place of worship, was in the south. So, the northern kings built their own shrines at Dan and Bethel. And then Ahab married Jezebel, the wicked queen who imported Baal worship and spread it like wildfire.

God warned them; He sent prophets. God called them back again and again, but eventually, God said, “Enough.”

And He raised up Jehu to bring judgment.

2 Kings 10 opens with a startling detail:

“Ahab had seventy sons in Samaria.”

Seventy. Seventy men raised in the culture of idolatry. Seventy potential successors to Ahab’s wicked dynasty.

2 Now, as soon as this letter comes to you, since your master’s sons are with you, and you have chariots and horses, a fortified city also, and weapons, 3 choose the best qualified of your master’s sons, set him on his father’s throne, and fight for your master’s house.

(2 Kings 10: 2-3)

So, Jehu writes a letter to the leaders of Samaria, the men responsible for these seventy sons. And he essentially says: “Choose the strongest one. Put him on the throne. Let’s settle this — king to king.”

This was common in the ancient world.

Instead of a full war, each side would choose a champion, like David and Goliath, and the outcome would decide the battle.

4 But they were exceedingly afraid, and said, “Look, two kings could not stand up to him; how then can we stand?” 5 And he who was in charge of the house, and he who was in charge of the city, the elders also, and those who reared the sons, sent to Jehu, saying, “We are your servants, we will do all you tell us; but we will not make anyone king. Do what is good in your sight.” 6 Then he wrote a second letter to them, saying: If you are for me and will obey my voice, take the heads of the men, your master’s sons, and come to me at Jezreel by this time tomorrow. Now the king’s sons, seventy persons, were with the great men of the city, who were rearing them. 7 So it was, when the letter came to them, that they took the king’s sons and slaughtered seventy persons, put their heads in baskets, and sent them to him at Jezreel. 8 Then a messenger came and told him, saying, “They have brought the heads of the king’s sons.” And he said, “Lay them in two heaps at the entrance of the gate until morning.”

9 So it was, in the morning, that he went out and stood, and said to all the people, “You are righteous. Indeed, I conspired against my master and killed him, but who killed all these?

But the leaders of Samaria panic and say, “Two kings couldn’t stand against Jehu. How could we?”

They know Jehu has already killed the king of Israel and the king of Judah. They know resistance is pointless.

So, they surrender.

They send word back: “We are your servants, and we will do whatever you say.”

Jehu then sends a second letter, which says: “If you are truly on my side… Take the heads of Ahab’s sons and bring them to me by tomorrow.”

It sounds shocking to us, and it should, but remember: Jehu is not acting out of personal vengeance; he is carrying out legal, God‑ordained judgment for capital crimes.

Ahab’s sons were not innocent. They were raised in idolatry, complicit in corruption, and part of a dynasty that murdered God’s prophets.

So, the leaders obey. They execute the seventy sons, place their heads in baskets, and send them to Jehu. Jehu then orders the heads to be displayed at the city gate — a grim but common ancient practice to deter rebellion.

And then he addresses the people:

“You are righteous. Indeed, I conspired against my master and killed him; but who killed all these?  Know now that nothing shall fall to the earth of the word of the Lord which the Lord spoke concerning the house of Ahab; for the Lord has done what He spoke by His servant Elijah.”

(2 Kings 10: 9-10)

Jehu is saying: “This is not my doing. This is God fulfilling His Word.” 

So far, Jehu has shown us what I’m calling Goldilocks Christianity, obedience that is “just right.” Not too hot, not too cold, not too soft, not too harsh. Simply doing what God said.

But the story now takes a turn.

Because Jehu — like many believers — doesn’t stay in that “just right” zone. One moment, he’s obeying the Lord, and the next moment, he’s gone too far.

Let’s walk through it.

11 So Jehu killed all who remained of the house of Ahab in Jezreel, and all his great men and his close acquaintances and his priests, until he left him none remaining. Ahaziah’s Forty-two Brothers Killed

12 And he arose and departed and went to Samaria. On the way, at [e]Beth Eked of the Shepherds, 13 Jehu met with the brothers of Ahaziah, king of Judah, and said, “Who are you?” So, they answered, “We are the brothers of Ahaziah; we have come down to greet the sons of the king and the sons of the queen mother.” 14 And he said, “Take them alive!” So, they took them alive, and killed them at the well of Beth Eked, forty-two men; and he left none of them. 15 Now when he departed from there, he met Jehonadab the son of Rechab, coming to meet him; and he greeted him and said to him, “Is your heart right, as my heart is toward your heart?”

And Jehonadab answered, “It is.”

Jehu said, “If it is, give me your hand.” So, he gave him his hand, and he took him up to him into the chariot. 16 Then he said, “Come with me, and see my zeal for the Lord.” So, they had him ride in his chariot. 17 And when he came to Samaria, he killed all who remained to Ahab in Samaria, till he had destroyed them, according to the word of the Lord which He spoke to Elijah.

(2 Kings 10: 11-17)

Now, here’s the problem.

Jehu was commanded to execute Ahab’s sons, which was God’s assignment. But he wasn’t commanded to kill the nobles who raised them. He wasn’t commanded to wipe out every acquaintance and priest connected to them.

One commentator puts it bluntly:

“Jehu got carried away in his zeal and killed many innocent people.”

And Scripture later confirms that God judged Jehu’s dynasty for this overreach.

So here we have it:

Act One: Just right — obedience.

Act Two: Too far — zeal without restraint.

And isn’t that exactly what happens with us sometimes?

Sometimes Christians go beyond what God actually said.

Sometimes we add to His commands.

Sometimes we take a good thing and push it to an extreme.

Gold standard Christianity is obedience — nothing more, nothing less.

But the story swings back again.

Jehu continues toward Samaria and meets a group of men — relatives of the southern king Ahaziah. The Hebrew word “brothers” can also mean “relatives,” and these men were part of the same idolatrous network.

Jehu orders them taken alive, and then he executes all forty‑two of them.

This time, he’s back in the lane of obedience.

These men were part of the same corrupt system God was judging.

This was part of the assignment.

So now we have:

Act One: Just right

Act Two: Too far

Act Three: Just right again

It’s a pattern many believers know well.

Then Jehu meets a man named Jehonadab, son of Rechab. We don’t know much about him from Kings, but Jeremiah 35 tells us more about him, saying.

Jehonadab was a man deeply committed to honouring the Lord.

He and his descendants lived in tents, and they abstained from wine.

They lived simply, intentionally, obediently.

Jehu asks him: “Is your heart right with my heart?” Jehonadab says, “It is.” And Jehu pulls him into the chariot. 

Then Jehu says something revealing: “Come with me and see my zeal for the Lord.”

And together they ride into Samaria, where Jehu finishes the job God assigned:

“He killed all who remained of Ahab… according to the word of the Lord spoken to Elijah.”

This is obedience again — the “just right” kind.

Let’s pause here.

Jehu’s story is dramatic, violent, and ancient, but the principle is timeless:

Just do what God says.

That’s Goldilocks, the just-right type of Christianity.

Imagine how many problems in your life would evaporate if you simply obeyed Scripture from the start.

Do you ever worry? 

Of course you do. We all do.

But most of the things we worry about never happen.

And in the meantime, we lose our peace.

Romans 8 says that “Walking in the Spirit brings life and peace”.

Philippians 4 says: “Be anxious for nothing… but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God… will guard your hearts and minds.”

That’s “just right” Christianity.

Not frantic.

Not fearful.

Not overreaching.

Not under‑trusting.

Just obeying God… and resting in His peace.

But Jehu’s story isn’t finished.

Verse 18 brings a shocking twist:

18 Then Jehu gathered all the people together, and said to them, “Ahab served Baal a little, Jehu will serve him much. 19 Now therefore, call to me all the prophets of Baal, all his servants, and all his priests. Let no one be missing, for I have a great sacrifice for Baal. Whoever is missing shall not live.” But Jehu acted deceptively, with the intent of destroying the worshipers of Baal. 20 And Jehu said, “Proclaim a solemn assembly for Baal.” So, they proclaimed it. 21 Then Jehu sent throughout all Israel; and all the worshipers of Baal came, so that there was not a man left who did not come. So, they came into the temple of Baal, and the temple of Baal was full from one end to the other. 22 And he said to the one in charge of the wardrobe, “Bring out vestments for all the worshipers of Baal.” So, he brought out vestments for them. 23 Then Jehu and Jehonadab the son of Rechab went into the temple of Baal, and said to the worshipers of Baal, “Search and see that no servants of the Lord are here with you, but only the worshipers of Baal.” 24 So they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings. Now Jehu had appointed for himself eighty men on the outside, and had said, “If any of the men whom I have brought into your hands escapes, whoever lets him escape, it shall be his life for the life of the other.”

25 Now it happened, as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, that Jehu said to the guard and to the captains, “Go in and kill them; let no one come out!” And they killed them with the edge of the sword; then the guards and the officers threw them out, and went into the inner room of the temple of Baal. 26 And they brought the sacred pillars out of the temple of Baal and burned them. 27 Then they broke down the sacred pillar of Baal and tore down the temple of Baal and made it a refuse dump to this day. 28 Thus Jehu destroyed Baal from Israel.

(2 Kings 10: 18-28)

“Ahab served Baal a little; Jehu will serve him much.” What?

This man, who has been tearing down Baal worship, suddenly claims he will serve Baal even more?

What is going on?

Jehu then announces a massive Baal festival. He calls every prophet, every priest, every worshipper, and he fills the temple from wall to wall.

But verse 19 gave the key: “Jehu acted deceptively.”

He isn’t planning to worship Baal. He’s planning to eliminate Baal worship once and for all.

He orders special garments for the Baal worshippers, a way to identify them. He double‑checks that no servants of the Lord are in the room.

He stations eighty soldiers outside with strict orders:

“If anyone escapes, your life will be taken for his.”

And when the sacrifices are finished, Jehu gives the command:

“Go in and kill them. Let no one escape.”

The soldiers sweep through the temple.

They destroy the idols. They tear down the building. They burn the sacred pillars, and the site becomes a garbage dump.

Verse 28 sums it up: “Thus Jehu destroyed Baal from Israel.”

After Jehu wiped out the worshippers of Baal, the text says he tore down the temple, smashed the sacred pillars, and then — in a symbolic act of total desecration — he turned the site into a refuse dump.

The Hebrew word literally means a latrine.

In other words: “This place is unclean. It should never have existed, and we’re going to make that unmistakably clear.”

And here’s what’s fascinating. Archaeologists have found evidence of this very practice. At Lachish, they uncovered a toilet installed inside a pagan shrine, not to use it, but to defile it. Soil samples showed it was never actually used. It was simply a statement:

“This place is filthy. This is ungodly. This place is not to be honoured.”

Jehu was making a point — and he made it loudly, but then Jehu Goes Too Far.

Up to this point, Jehu has been carrying out God’s command, but then the text says something surprising. “Jehu destroyed all the worshippers of Baal.”

Was he told to do that? No.

God commanded he was to eliminate the leaders, the instigators, the ones who spread Baal worship. But the worshippers themselves were not to be executed. The hope was that, once the corrupt leadership was removed, the people might return to the Lord.

But Jehu wiped them all out.

Once again, he went too far.

This is the pattern we’ve seen before:

Sometimes Jehu obeys exactly — “just right.”

Sometimes he goes beyond what God said — “too hot.”

Sometimes he doesn’t go far enough — “too cold.”

And that’s exactly what happens next.

Verse 29 says:

29 However Jehu did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who had made Israel sin, that is, from the golden calves that were at Bethel and Dan. 30 And the Lord said to Jehu, “Because you have done well in doing what is right in My sight, and have done to the house of Ahab all that was in My heart, your sons shall sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation.” 31 But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the Lord God of Israel with all his heart; for he did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam, who had made Israel sin.

(2 Kings 11: 29-31)

This is stunning.

Jehu has just wiped-out Baal worship, the most corrupt, demonic system Israel had ever embraced. He has torn down temples, smashed idols, and executed the leaders who promoted it.

But he leaves the golden calves.

Why?

Because the golden calves were the original compromise of the northern kingdom. When Israel split, the southern kingdom kept Jerusalem, the true place of worship. The northern kingdom didn’t want its people traveling south, so they set up golden calves at Bethel and Dan.

And they told the people: “These are the gods who brought you out of Egypt.”

Sound familiar? It’s exactly what Israel said at Mount Sinai when Aaron made the golden calf.

This was a direct violation of the second commandment: “You shall not make for yourself a graven image.”

So, Jehu wipes out one form of idolatry…but keeps another. 

He goes too far in one direction… and not far enough in another.

This is the danger of fairytale Christianity, a faith that is extreme in some areas, lax in others, and inconsistent in obedience.

Then comes one of the most fascinating verses in the chapter.

Verse 30: “You have done well in doing what is right in My sight…

Therefore, your sons shall sit on the throne to the fourth generation.”

God commends Jehu. He rewards him. He acknowledges the obedience Jehu did show but then verse 31 says: “But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the Lord with all his heart.”

He obeyed… but not fully.

He did some things right… But not everything.

He removed Baal… but kept the golden calves. So, God disciplines him.

The text says God began to “cut off parts of Israel,” — allowing foreign nations to chip away at their territory.

So, it is a reward for obedience and discipline for disobedience. Both are present in Jehu’s story.

And that brings us to the heart of the passage. Jehu’s life illustrates three spiritual dangers:

·         Going too far — adding to God’s Word

·         Not going far enough — ignoring parts of God’s Word

·         Doing it just right — obeying exactly what God said

This is the Goldilocks principle:

Not too hot.

Not too cold.

Just right.

And Scripture is crystal clear about this. Deuteronomy 4:2 says:

“You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it.”

Deuteronomy 12:32:

“Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.”

Proverbs 30:6, says:

“Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you and you be found a liar.”

Jehu added. Jehu subtracted. And Jehu obeyed — all in the same chapter.

And that’s why his story is such a powerful picture of the Christian life.

So, let’s bring this home.

Death of Jehu

32 In those days, the Lord began to cut off parts of Israel; and Hazael conquered them in all the territory of Israel 33 from the Jordan eastward: all the land of Gilead—Gad, Reuben, and Manasseh—from Aroer, which is by the River Arnon, including Gilead and Bashan. 34 Now the rest of the acts of Jehu, all that he did, and all his might, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? 35 So Jehu rested with his fathers, and they buried him in Samaria. Then Jehoahaz, his son, reigned in his place. 36 And the period that Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria was twenty-eight years.

(2 Kings 10: 32-35)

We’ve watched Jehu swing from obedience… to excess… to hesitation… and back again. And if we’re honest, that’s a picture of many believers today. Some go too far, adding to God’s Word. Others don’t go far enough, reducing the Christian life to a handful of rules or rituals. And somewhere in the middle is the “just right” version — the Goldilocks Christianity that simply obeys what God said.

Let’s talk about that for a moment.

Some Christian groups add to Scripture. In fact, the Roman Catholic Church elevates tradition to the level of Scripture, and I would say that’s going too far. In other areas, they get it just right, better than some evangelical churches even

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints adds the Book of Mormon; that’s really going too far.

Some churches insist you must be baptized to be saved; that’s adding to the gospel. Baptism marks, testifies to, and celebrates our salvation; the act itself is not what saves us.

And remember Scripture says Christ died for the whole world. That means He died for you, and because He died for you, you can know — absolutely know — that you have eternal life. 

Add anything to that, and you make God a liar.

But some believers fall off the other side.

They don’t add to Scripture; they simply don’t go far enough. They think spirituality is a list of “don’ts”:

Don’t lie

Don’t steal

Don’t commit adultery

Don’t murder

Now, of course, those are good things not to do. But that’s morality, and morality keeps you out of trouble. Spirituality makes you like Christ. 

Others think spirituality is a list of “do’s”:

Pray

Read your Bible

Go to church

Tithe

Of course, all good things again. All necessary things. But you can do every one of them and still not be a Christian.

Because spirituality is not a checklist.

It’s Christlikeness.

The fruit of the Spirit is:

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self‑control…. That’s spirituality.

That’s the life God wants to form in you.

Anything less, and you haven’t gone far enough.

But what about Christianity, that’s, Just Right

So, what is “just right” Christianity?

It’s this:

Trust Jesus Christ — plus nothing — for salvation.

Then walk with Him in obedience, becoming more like Him in character.

Not adding to the Word.

Not subtracting from the Word.

Just doing what the Word says.

Jehu added.

Jehu subtracted.

And that’s why his story is such a powerful warning, and such a powerful mirror.

Let me close with another story you probably learned in kindergarten.

Are you sitting comfortably…. Then I’ll begin.

Three little pigs left home to build their own houses.

Their mother told them:

“Build your house out of bricks.

Bricks are strong. Bricks will keep you safe.”

But the first pig thought, “Straw is easier.”

The second pig thought, “Sticks are quicker.”

Only the third pig obeyed.

And when the wolf came — huffing and puffing — only one house stood.

The one built exactly the way the mother said.

That’s the Christian life.

If you do what God says, exactly what God says, and you’ll stand.

If you don’t, the wolf will blow your house in.

So, here’s the bottom line:

Fear God.

Keep His commandments

This is the whole duty of a believer. (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

Just do what the Book says.

Not too far. Not too little…. Just right.

 OUTRO:

Thank you for joining me today.

Jehu’s story has shown us the dangers of fairytale Christianity, the kind that adds, subtracts, exaggerates, or minimizes. And it’s shown us the beauty of simple, steady obedience.

In our next episode, we’re stepping into 2 Kings 11:1–20, where we’ll explore one of the most dramatic rescue stories in Scripture, a hidden child, a murderous queen, a courageous priest, and the surprising ways God preserves His promises.

It’s a chapter about God’s protection, God’s sovereignty, and God’s ability to keep His people safe even in the darkest moments.

I hope you’ll join me for that powerful episode.

Until then, walk in truth, stay in the Word, and keep your house will be built out of bricks instead of straw.