It’s interesting to note that things from the past bear resemblance to things happening now.
There are some things which don’t change and should not change. Ahab and Jehoshaphat were acting similar to leaders of today. How? There are always times to make tough decisions.
The interesting component about these two kings is that some territory had been lost during a battle. Meantime some other events had been happening. Matrimonial and military alliances had been made. Territory had been lost during a war. Now Ahab wanted to retrieve that territory, Ramoth in Gilead.
Ahab and Jehoshaphat visited together and talked about recapturing Ramoth. Jehoshaphat confessed his willingness to work with Ahab on this project. Ahab called together his prophets. There were four hundred of them. He asked them their opinion on making war to gain back the territory. Most likely it was their way to show their agreement with whatever the king wanted. They all agreed and spoke in that manner.
Hearing this Jehoshaphat said, “Don’t you have another prophet here to seek advice from?” Ahab said, “Yes, there’s another but every time I ask his opinion, he never tells me what I want to hear! So, I hate him.” Jehoshaphat said, “Don’t say that.”
That was a signal to Jehoshaphat that there was credence to this prophet’s stature. A messenger was sent for the real prophet and along the way, the messenger said to Jehoshaphat, “All the prophets agree together that we should go and regain the territory and will be successful. So, you are to agree with them.”
Michaiah the real prophet said, “I will only say what the Lord has told me to say.” They go together and they come to where the two kings are seated on their thrones. Michaiah is asked his opinion and he repeats what the messenger had told him to say.
When Ahab heard this, he angrily said, “Didn’t I tell you he never predicts what I want him to predict.” Then, he says, “Tell me what the Lord said you are to say.” Michaiah had seen and heard what was transpiring in the heavenly background. He sees the Lord on His throne with His heavenly hosts standing on His right and on His left. He sees all Ahab and his soldiers scattered and failed.
Ahab was angered and said, “See I told you he never predicts good for me. I’m going anyway and I will return victorious.” Michaiah said, “If you return at all, we will see.” Ahab was revengeful and said, “Take this prophet, put him in prison and feed him sparingly with crumbs and water until I return.”
Well, he didn’t return alive and well; therefore, Michaiah perhaps must languish in prison. Out on the battlefield and before going to war, Ahab showed doubt that he would return. The enemies had also had a discussion on strategy about who was to be killed on the battleground.
Ahab told Jehoshaphat, “I want you to go in disguise. Put on my royal war robes.” The enemies Syria-Arameans had given soldiers instructions to kill the king Ahab. While trying to do that they would have killed Jehoshaphat who was disguised in Ahab’s war garments.
Here’s the real providential part of this account. The arrow was shot and, in an instance, in a split second, Ahab was wounded; but Jehoshaphat cried out! The arrow didn’t hit him. In a providential split-second, the arrow went in between Ahab’s amour and struck him instead of Jehoshaphat. So Ahab’s plot to sacrifice Jehoshaphat’s life for his own and to regain the territory failed.
What do we learn from this? Well, don’t plot against your friends to anyone. Don’t think you’re smarter than God Almighty. Watch with whom you form alliances. Think things through carefully before making decisions that may be life changing. A decision today looks good, but you don’t always know what the end will be.
If you meet someone and they come to you with their own baggage of disappointments and hardships and big plans with no idea how they will achieve them, watch out. They want you to support them and they have no contribution or resources, remember Jesus is the healer and irons out wrinkles.
Accept Jesus Christ who has power to heal through His Holy Spirit. And He gives good advice, too. Listen carefully for His advice and opinion. Hold on to your unrelenting faith. Seek wise counsel.
Thanks for reading! Jeanette Grattan Parker is the founder-superintendent of Today’s Fresh Start Charter School, 4514 Crenshaw Boulevard, L.A. 90043, 323-293-9826, www.todaysfreshstart.org, (Ask Dr. Jeanette TM) “Inquiring Minds Want to Know.” All articles are copyright. All rights reserved © Errors? Or Questions? Please let me know. Join Sundays for music and message at 11:30 a.m. by calling (712) 775-8971, code 266751. References: The Holy Bible. Don’t stop praying and hoping. “Today is another great day to do good and be successful.”