This chapter describes an alliance between the new King of Judah, Jehoshaphat (son of Asa) and Ahab, King of Israel. They decide to take back some of Israel’s land that had been conquered by the Syrians.
“And Micaiah said, ‘Therefore hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing beside him on his right hand and on his left; and the Lord said, “Who will entice Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?”… Then a spirit came forward and stood before the Lord, saying, “I will entice him…. I will go out, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.” And he said, “You are to entice him, and you shall succeed; go out and do so.” Now therefore behold, the Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these your prophets; the Lord has declared disaster for you.’ ” (v19-23 abr)
Before leaving, the two kings consult 400 false prophets, and 1 true prophet of the Lord (Micaiah). Micaiah tells them to go into battle, but warns it’s because God has ordained the death of King Ahab. He also warns that the 400 prophets were misled by a lying spirit (demon) so Ahab would foolishly go to his death.
Ahab’s rebellious spirit was determined to disobey God and he tried to avoid hearing God’s will. Jehoshaphat, who was a God-honoring man like his father Asa, insisted they find a God-honoring prophet (Micaiah). Despite knowing this battle spelled certain doom for his fellow king, Jehoshaphat went along with it because God had ordained Ahab’s death. The two kings went into this battle for two very different reasons: Ahab out of rebellion, and Jehoshaphat out of obedience.
It’s interesting how actions for one person can be considered obedience to God, while the same actions from a different person are considered rebellion. God sometimes asks different things of each of us. What may be sin for me may not be sin for you, or vice versa. (Clarification: of course scripture defines many universal sins [eg. breaking the ten commandments] to which all people are held accountable)
I encourage us to look at the unique things God has asked of us. There are certain things He has asked of me, that He has not asked of others. If I disobey Him on those things, it is sin, even if it is not considered sinful for another Christ follower. Using the excuse ‘it’s okay for them’, to justify our sin is still rebellion in God’s eyes.
A simple example for me is the TV show Fringe – a God-honoring friend said how much he enjoyed the show, but 5 minutes into the second episode the Holy Spirit told me to stop watching. Is it sin for my friend to enjoy it? Not if God doesn’t convict him on that and watching the show doesn’t violate scripture. Would it be sin for me to continue watching it? Yes, because God clearly told me not to watch it. Am I disappointed that I’m potentially missing out on a great show? No, because pleasing my Heavenly Father is far more important than indulging my flesh. Pleasing the flesh brings fleeting happiness, while pleasing the Lord brings eternal joy.
Father God, our Glorious and Magnificent Lord, holy, holy, holy is Your name. Father we may not know why You command a few unique things for each of us, other than we are all uniquely made and called as individuals. We ask that as we face these callings we would do so with a joyfully obedient spirit. May we seek to please You first and foremost, and put our fleshly desires to death on the cross. We ask for You help with this Father, for like Ahab we are easily fooled into doing what our flesh desires. Spirit please guard us, and Jesus please guide us, forever and ever, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training