We have been discussing people refusing to hear the Truth of God from a man of God, be it the wicked king Ahab or a local church congregant. In reading through 1 Kings 22:1-28 we have seen so far that…
1) Ahab hated Micaiah because he told the truth, that
2) Jehoshaphat seems to be more cautious, maybe godly, and that
3) Ahab’s hatred for Micaiah was demonstrated publically.
Now we see that…
The Truth Hurts
Micaiah continued to speak from the Lord:
1Ki 22:19 “Therefore hear the word of the LORD! I saw the LORD sitting on his throne with all the host of heaven standing around him on his right and on his left. 20 And the LORD said, ‘Who will entice Ahab into attacking Ramoth Gilead and going to his death there?’ “One suggested this, and another that. 21 Finally, a spirit came forward, stood before the LORD and said, ‘I will entice him.’ 22 ‘By what means?’ the LORD asked. ‘I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets,’ he said. ‘You will succeed in enticing him,’ said the LORD. ‘Go and do it.’
“His prophets” refers to Ahab’s wicked prophets. Here we see the LORD sitting in council as opposed to Ahab and Jehoshaphat sitting on their thrones at the city gate! As strange as it might seem, God uses an evil spirit to reach Ahab. Look at that word “entice” … entice the wicked prophets to speak lies! So Micaiah continues
1Ki 22:23 “So now the LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouths of all these prophets of yours. The LORD has decreed disaster for you.”
This disaster confirms the words … “going to his death there”. Truth hurts because once God pronounces it will happen! 5) Never forget that vengeance is the Lord’s. Ahab’s evilness had gone on for very long and to us it might seem God overlooks things but He does not! Ahab’s wickedness is yet again revealed when he tricks the king of Judah
1Ki 22:29 So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah went up to Ramoth Gilead. 30 The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I will enter the battle in disguise, but you wear your royal robes.”
So the king of Israel disguised himself and went into battle. Jehoshaphat should expose his kingship by wearing royal robes yet Ahab disguises himself. How wicked can one be? He wants to use a willing helper as a decoy! But God is on the true Throne of Glory and reigns.
1Ki 22:31 Now the king of Aram had ordered his thirty-two chariot commanders, “Do not fight with anyone, small or great, except the king of Israel.” 32 When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they thought, “Surely this is the king of Israel.” So they turned to attack him, but when Jehoshaphat cried out, 33 the chariot commanders saw that he was not the king of Israel and stopped pursuing him. The true prophecy through Micaiah was that Ahab dies at Ramoth Gilead. God will not fail His Word … nor will he fail Ahab! 34 But someone drew his bow at random and hit the king of Israel between the sections of his armor. The king told his chariot driver, “Wheel around and get me out of the fighting. I’ve been wounded.” 35 All day long the battle raged, and the king was propped up in his chariot facing the Arameans. The blood from his wound ran onto the floor of the chariot, and that evening he died.
Does all this seems so common today? I may be getting ahead of myself but let’s leave the rest of Micaiah until tomorrow, and deal with a few things now.
First, let’s deal with false prophets in the Twenty-First Century. I am aware how often I speak out against what I call false prophets. Not only does the New Testament warn us against false prophets and false teachers, we experience these menaces in reality throughout all countries where Christianity is to be found. How do you detect and identify a false prophet or teacher? You measure what they say against the Word of God. This is where you need to be extremely careful because some twist the Bible to say what they want it to mean. They superimpose their thoughts or persuasions onto God’s Word and gullible people believe it is the Word of God. Today we need to pray for discernment and listen to any message with the Bible in hand. When we are confused about what we hear let us talk to a more mature believer for clarity to understand the Scriptures better.
Second, let’s deal with true prophets in the Twenty-First Century. There are men like Micaiah today. They are not prophets but when they study the Word correctly … when they dig into their commentaries and do word studies in the original languages, they are then able to expound the Word and you may trust that you are hearing the Word of God being preached and taught. We need to pray for gifted men, called by God to study for the Gospel Ministry at proper evangelical institutions. The last thing we need is entertainment and side shows. We desperately needs God’s True Word to flow throughout our world and especially our country. This beloved is our greatest need! Please pray for it!
Third, let’s deal with deceit in the Twenty-First Century. There are various forces today like in Micaiah’s day that seek to deceive masses of people. Evil spirits were not only active in Micaiah’s day. The lead comes from their master the devil. Remember what he did in the Garden of Eden? Remember how the evil one deceived and lied to our fore-parents? He and his demons are still doing the same today. Like one needs wisdom to avoid the teaching of false prophets and teachers, so we need wisdom to avoid any prompting of evil spirits. Further, Ahab lied to and deceived an ally king. It is one of the saddest stories of Christianity where colleagues in Christian ministry can lie to and deceive each other. This is one of the enemy’s greatest achievements to create havoc in the visible Church. It disrupts the working of the Spirit, reduces spiritual maturity and lessens Gospel impact. Pray for unity in the Church of God. Pray that the Church will return to being robust, spiritually powerful and see the Spirit working in dynamic power.
Fourth, let’s deal with God remaining true in the Twentieth- First Century. He never fails His true Word for He is LORD of all Truth.
Thank You, our God, that You are the Sovereign I AM. Help us to trust You alone always. Amen.