The Remnant of a Life Lived
"And they went to bury her: but they found no more of her than the skull, and the feet, and the palms of her hands." - 2 Kings 9:35
In the somber tale of 2 Kings 9:35, we encounter a haunting image that serves as both a warning and a reflection on the nature of our lives and legacies. The verse reads: "And they went to bury her: but they found no more of her than the skull, and the feet, and the palms of her hands." Here, we witness the aftermath of a dreadful ending—Jezebel, the notorious queen known for her idolatry, manipulation, and opposition to God’s prophets, has met her demise. Yet, what remains of her serves as a profound reminder of the temporality of flesh and the permanence of a legacy.
This scene evokes a sense of profound loss that transcends the surface narrative. The physical remnants—a skull, feet, and hands—speak of a life once full of ambition, power, and influence. It compels us to ponder: When we depart from this world, what will remain of us? What do our lives truly consist of once stripped of their outward appearances and accolades?
The remnants found in the dust of Jezebel’s end tell a story of a life that was dedicated to the pursuit of power and self over the adoration and obedience of God. Her hands, which may have once driven chariots of ambition and sin, were now all that remained—a stark contrast to her ambition and evil schemes. The Skull, often a symbol of knowledge and intellect, serves as a chilling reminder of wisdom separated from righteousness. The feet, which carried her through the corridors of power, ultimately could not escape the inevitable judgment of God.
In reflecting on these remnants, we are spurred to examine our own lives. Paul encourages believers in 2 Corinthians 5:10 (KJV), "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." We are reminded that, unlike the physical remains of Jezebel, our legacies will be judged not merely by the things we achieved or amassed, but by the intentions of our hearts and the righteousness of our actions.
The tragedy of Jezebel's story is compounded by the truth that, despite her considerable power and influence during her lifetime, her earthly legacy crumbled into nothingness. It elicits the question of what we value. Are we pursuing worldly power and influence, or are we investing in eternal treasures? Matthew 6:19-20 instructs us, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven..."
This verse invites us to redirect our focus outward and upward. The hands that remain in Jezebel's state are a call to action for believers to animate their own hands for service—to feed the hungry, support the needy, and spread the message of Christ’s love. Our feet should not walk the paths of wickedness and deception but ought to tread in faith and obedience, guided by the Light of the World.
And while Jezebel's mind and soul face the ultimate separation from God, we must remember that through Christ’s sacrifice, we have the opportunity to build a legacy rooted in love, faith, and eternal purpose. Like the remnants left of Jezebel, may our lives bear witness through love and righteousness, so that we leave behind not just bones, but stories of redemption and grace.
As we contemplate the fragility and the fleeting nature of our existence, let us strive to ensure that our actions align with the heart of God. Only then can we hope to leave a legacy that endures the test of time—one directed toward Him, from whom all true blessings flow.
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2 Kings 9:35 - "And they went to bury her: but they found no more of her than the skull, and the feet, and the palms of her hands."
"And they went to bury her: but they found no more of her than the skull, and the feet, and the palms of her hands." - 2 Kings 9:35
2 Chronicles 35:27 - "And his deeds, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah."
2 Kings 10:35 - "And Jehu slept with his fathers: and they buried him in Samaria. And Jehoahaz his son reigned in his stead."
2 kings 9:34-36
1 Kings 2:35 - "And the king put Benaiah the son of Jehoiada in his room over the host: and Zadok the priest did the king put in the room of Abiathar."
2 Kings 18:35 - "Who are they among all the gods of the countries, that have delivered their country out of mine hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem out of mine hand?"
2 Kings 15:35 - "¶ Howbeit the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burned incense still in the high places. He built the higher gate of the house of the LORD."
2 Kings 4:35 - "Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes."
2 Chronicles 9:22 - "And king Solomon passed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom."
luke 9:35
luke 9:35
2 Kings 9:9 - "And I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah:"
2 Kings 19:35 - "¶ And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses."
2 Kings 17:35 - "With whom the LORD had made a covenant, and charged them, saying, Ye shall not fear other gods, nor bow yourselves to them, nor serve them, nor sacrifice to them:"
"And his deeds, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah." - 2 Chronicles 35:27
2 Chronicles 35:9 - "Conaniah also, and Shemaiah and Nethaneel, his brethren, and Hashabiah and Jeiel and Jozabad, chief of the Levites, gave unto the Levites for passover offerings five thousand small cattle, and five hundred oxen."
2 Kings 9:4 - "¶ So the young man, even the young man the prophet, went to Ramoth-gilead."
2 Kings 9:23 - "And Joram turned his hands, and fled, and said to Ahaziah, There is treachery, O Ahaziah."
2 Kings 9:29 - "And in the eleventh year of Joram the son of Ahab began Ahaziah to reign over Judah."
2 Chronicles 35:18 - "And there was no passover like to that kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet; neither did all the kings of Israel keep such a passover as Josiah kept, and the priests, and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel that were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem."
Numbers 35:9 - "¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"
1 Kings 9:2 - "That the LORD appeared to Solomon the second time, as he had appeared unto him at Gibeon."
2 Kings 5:9 - "So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha."
Exodus 35:9 - "And onyx stones, and stones to be set for the ephod, and for the breastplate."
2 Kings 9:31 - "And as Jehu entered in at the gate, she said, Had Zimri peace, who slew his master?"
2 Kings 24:9 - "And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father had done."
2 Kings 23:35 - "And Jehoiakim gave the silver and the gold to Pharaoh; but he taxed the land to give the money according to the commandment of Pharaoh: he exacted the silver and the gold of the people of the land, of every one according to his taxation, to give it unto Pharaoh-nechoh."
Job 9:35 - "Then would I speak, and not fear him; but it is not so with me."
The Plague of Hail - Exodus 9:13-35