But Micaiah said, “As surely as the Lord lives, I can tell him only what the Lord tells me.” (1 Kings 22:14 NIV)
Ahab had no excuse.
Even before Elijah there was sufficient for Ahab to know there is only one true God in Israel. He knew the one true God when Elijah called a drought. He knew the one true God when Elijah defeated the Prophets of Baal. He knew the one true God when he was granted victory twice from the Arameans by God in two very different environments. He knew the one true God when he was reprimanded for taking Naboth’s vineyard corruptly.
Ahab knew the one true God. And consistently chose to ignore Him.
There now arose an affair that brought an amazing united approach to warfare between the northern end southern kingdoms. Having experienced conflict with each other, now Ahab had looked to work with Jehoshaphat, King of Judah. The only proviso Jehoshaphat made was to get God’s permission, first. What continues to make me chuckle is that Jehoshaphat hears a number of prophet give them the thumbs up. They are all saying, go ahead and win the war, but for all that Jehoshaphat actually suggests that they may not be the real deal in getting God’s Word on the matter.
Enter Micaiah. In each of the previous two episodes, Ahab was approached by a different prophet. There was one unnamed who approached him after he didn’t kill Ben-Hadad. Elijah approached him after the Naboth Incident. Micaiah completes the hattrick. As with the other encounters, Ahab does not particularly like these men. Whose to say Micaiah didn’t prophesy at the Ben-Hadad Incident – but that’s purely speculation. What isn’t speculation is that now Jehoshaphat has exactly what he asked for because in Micaiah there is a man who is not about soothing a king’s ego, he is about being the mouthpiece for the Lord.
What is incredible, is that even though such a stinging prophecy has been brought his way about his downfall, Ahab still decides to go ahead with the conflict! There’s also something to be said about Jehoshaphat going out despite the Lord in no way giving any indication of victory.
It is Ahab’s last stand, though. Here he is looking to be clever in going into the battle in disguise. Now why would he do that? Knowing he would be a target? Anxious because of what he heard in the back of his mind? Whatever his concern was it all came to nought.
God is not unfair in executing justice. He had spoken time and time again to Ahab. He speaks in many ways to us today. He will not be unfair when He executes justice. Through His grace expressed in so many ways there will be enough of a basis to give fair judgment.
There will be no room for ignorance.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 