1Kings 22:5-8 - Also
Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, "Please inquire for the word of
the Lord today." Then the king of
Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said to
them, "Shall I go against Ramoth Gilead to fight, or shall I
refrain?" So they said, "Go up, for the Lord will deliver it into the
hand of the king." And Jehoshaphat
said, "Is there not still a prophet of the Lord here, that we may inquire
of Him?" So the king
of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "There is still one man, Micaiah the son of
Imlah, by whom we may inquire of the Lord; but I hate him, because he does not
prophesy good concerning me, but evil." And Jehoshaphat said, "Let
not the king say such things!"
The nation was still split…being ruled by two kings….and
they were getting along and being peaceful.
Ahab… decided it was time to go win control over the Syrians….but he knew
he had no chance unless he banded together with his brothers from Judah. Jehoshaphat thought it was a great idea…but
cautioned his brother to ask God what he thought first.
In his usual selfish demeanor…Ahab had gathered around him
nearly 400 men…so called prophets...that quickly told the two kings that it was
a great idea. But Jehoshaphat saw through the charade Ahab had built around him
and called for at least one prophet that would speak only what God said to speak.
Then he listened as king Ahab confirmed his thoughts…..and told him of Micaiah.
Jehoshaphat quickly rebuked his
brother….recognizing the man of God as the one true word they should follow. But
somehow was talked into battle anyway….and as Micaiah had prophesied… king Ahab
was killed by a random arrow…dogs licking up his blood in the end. Jehoshaphat
remained king in Judah…as as the evil son of Ahab…. Ahaziah….continued to worship other gods and allow satan’s
influence to corrupt the nation of Israel.
It is an example of what happens when we allow the world
to influence our decisions …instead of holding strong to the words he placed in
his Bible for us to live by. The odds will always be in satan’s favor….tempting
us to follow the path most trodden. The world’s advice is easier to follow most
days…for it seems more politically correct.
God’s way is still right…and we must pray for the strength
and courage to stand strong like Micaiah.
He was imprisoned in the end for speaking just God’s word…proving his
words from the Lord were true. We have
to be ready to stand for Christ…no matter what friends we might lose …or jobs
we might miss out on. Maybe the story of Micaiah was one of Paul’s inspirations. He ended up in prison quite a bit for his preaching
too.
Father…I pray this morning for courage to stand only for
you this day. Give me courage and
strength to be your voice among the thousands that might be still locked in a
material world. Thank you for this story
of one prophet…who spoke your word…even if it meant his life would end in
prison. Help me to be bold and unafraid to speak your words…despite how it will
affect me on this Earth. Amen.
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