This chapter tells of King Ahab’s wars with Syria.
“So the prophet… waited for the king… disguising himself with a bandage over his eyes. And as the king passed, he cried to the king and said, ‘Your servant went out into the midst of the battle, and behold, a soldier turned and brought a man to me and said, “Guard this man; if by any means he is missing, your life shall be for his life…” And as your servant was busy here and there, he was gone.’ The king of Israel said to him, ‘So shall your judgment be; you yourself have decided it.’ Then he hurried to take the bandage away from his eyes, and the king of Israel recognized him as one of the prophets. And he said to him, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Because you have let go out of your hand the man whom I had devoted to destruction, therefore your life shall be for his life, and your people for his people.” ‘ “
After God delivers Syria into Israel’s hands twice, King Ahab lets their king live and go free – God condemns this action, and informs Ahab via a disguised prophet. Ahab’s continued disobedience will result in his downfall.
Even though Ahab was a wicked king, God still delivered Syria to him in battle twice, each time saying ” ‘I will give all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am the Lord.’ ” God does not deliver Israel to reward Ahab’s wickedness, He delivers Israel (who are outnumbered 20+ to 1) to remind them that He is their God, and He is all powerful.
God displays His power in many ways, we simply need to keep our eyes open and our hearts receptive to see it. Even today as we face many battles (eg. pandemics, poverty, immorality, death, etc.) God is fighting those battles for us. He has already gone ahead and prepared a way for us to emerge victorious, all He asks of us is our obedience.
I know it may not seem like the battles are being won, but God promises deliverance, and we know that He is ultimately in control. Nothing happens that He has not allowed for one reason or another, and we can rest assured His sovereign will shall is unstoppable.
I encourage us to listen to God’s leading in our lives, however that looks for us today. The more obedient we are, the greater the victories will be, and the greater our reward in heaven. Who knows – we may even encourage a few new believers to join us when they see how God blesses our obedience and delivers us from extreme odds.
Father God, our Sovereign King and Mighty Lord, You are majestic and wise beyond compare. We cannot fathom the depths of Your love or care for us. Father we face many great trials in life, yet You have gone before us to prepare a way to victory. We won’t likely see it in the moment, but looking back we can always see Your hand in a situation. We praise, honor and glorify Your holy name, forever and ever, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training