אות - סד

Fame and prestige prove nothing. Status is not related to merit.

One deed can result in a rank that, once attained, is never lost.

The kings of Israel exemplify this teaching. Because of one meritorious act, they were worthy of maintaining the royal line for four generations. As a reward for destroying the idols, God told Jehu, “Your sons of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel” (cf. II Kings 10:30, 15:12) .

This is difficult to understand. After the fourth generation, their greatness must come to an end no matter what they do. They can do exactly the same thing that merited this royalty in the first place and it will be of no avail. The decree is sealed and they must forfeit the throne after the fourth generation. The decree against their fathers determines their fate.

Although their ancestor earned the throne because of a certain deed, the inheritors cannot use similar merit to remain. They may do the exact same deeds as their ancestor, but these are no longer of any avail. No matter what they do,it has already been decreed that their generation will lose the throne. This is a great wonder. Understand it well.

This teaches us that God’s ways cannot be understood. It may be decreed that one person will not achieve distinction. No matter what merit he has. Yet another person may earn four generations of fame for a single worthy deed. Understand this.