Around 822-800 B.C., Syria and Israel had not been at war for about three years. Jehoshaphat (king of Judah) visited Ahab (king of Israel). Ahab was talking to his employees (servants), reminding them about a territory that belonged to them (Ramoth in Gilead and “we have not taken it back).
Ahab presented a proposal to Jehoshaphat to go to battle (war) to regain the territory. Jehoshaphat was agreed with Ahab saying, “My horses are your horses, my people are as your people.” It’s not wise to get in with someone just because the person is your friend or close associate. In 1 Kings 22, Jehoshaphat offered Ahab some very good advice, “Enquire, I pray that you seek the word of the Lord today.”
He was saying to him, before you make such a serious decision to go to battle, it is wise that you talk to the Lord about it first. This is advice is from ancient times, but it applies to here and now. Before you set out to accomplish a project, seek wise counsel to avoid significant loss.
One of the problems today is that when a person becomes powerful, that person loses a conscience to hear wise, moral advice. They become their own rule maker, which can be a pathway to idolatry. Once you get into something, it isn’t so easy to get out of it. If you get into a project, ask yourself, “Did I weigh it out first? Did I count the costs beforehand?” Luke 14:28 asks, “Are you intending to build a tower, do you sit down first and count the cost to determine if you have sufficient funds to finish it?”
In response to Jehoshaphat’s inquiring statement, Ahab said, “There is Micaiah, but I hate him. He only prophesies bad things when I ask him about my business.” Obviously, he is a hardheaded, self-loving, power seeking individual.
Jehoshaphat and Ahab got together formally dressed in their throne attire and all Ahab’s prophets prophesied to them saying, “Go on to battle and take back our territory (Ramoth in Gilead). The Lord will deliver it into the king’s hands.” They are so accustomed to the unfailing goodness of God that Ahab’s false prophets think it will be the same as before.
Meantime, a messenger went to seek Micaiah – a true prophet who Ahab didn’t want to hear. The messenger told Micaiah what the prophets had said. When someone never says the real truth to you, that person may not be a real friend.
Ahab said, “Okay Micaiah, shall we go to battle or not. Speak that which is good.” Micaiah said, “I will only speak that which the Lord tells me to speak; but okay, go ahead and the Lord will deliver your property back to you, Ahab.”
Ahab had pressured him to be like the others not speaking the real truth. Micaiah said, “I will tell you the truth. I saw Israel scattered upon the hills like sheep with no shepherd and the Lord said, “These have no master: let them return every man to his house in peace.” Ahab was angry saying, “Didn’t I tell you he would only prophesy bad things about me?”
The fact is there are some who only want to hear good things, which may not be truth. Micaiah goes on to say, “Hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing by Him on His right hand and on His left. The Lord said, who shall persuade Ahab that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-Gilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner. A spirit came forth and stood before the Lord, and said, ‘I will persuade him.’
“The Lord said how will you do it? I will go forth and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets and the Lord said, “You shall persuade, and you shall prevail. Go forth and do so.”
Micaiah said, “Therefore, the Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all Ahab’s prophets and the Lord has spoken evil concerning you (Ahab).” Ahab failed. He was killed in battle. It takes more time to hear the word of the LORD, but we save ourselves a lot of heartache and trouble when we use patience, wisdom and knowledge before we make a mess of things.
Ahab listened only to his own press releases and got killed in battle. Note: If the message doesn’t come through at its warnings by the first angel, Babylon will fall. What is Babylon referred to? It is the fall of the entire worldwide political, economic and religious kingdom of Antichrist (Revelation 14:8, 16.17-19)
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 © [email protected]. Reference: MacArthur Study Bible and The Holy Bible. Any errors? Let me know.