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1 Kings 22:7-8, But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there no longer a prophet of the Lord here whom we can inquire of?”

The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, “There is still one prophet through whom we can inquire of the Lord, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me, but always bad. He is Micaiah son of Imlah.”

We have come to the final chapter in the book of 1 Kings.  You made it!  While the story is far from over, I hope these past few weeks have been insightful for you.  These Old Testament passages are filled with truth, sometimes really hard truth, but well worth our time digesting them and allowing God to speak to us through them.

In today’s chapter, we find Ahab, king of Israel, form an alliance with Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, to go to war with Syria (Aram) over the region of Ramoth Gilead.  In an effort to ensure they would win, they seek the guidance from the prophets of Israel.  Ahab quickly summons four hundred prophets who claim to speak for Yahweh and enthusiastically proclaim that God will guarantee their victory.  Jehoshaphat is a bit wary of these four hundred prophets, as they were most certainly on King Ahab’s payroll and willing to say whatever pleased the king.  King Jehoshaphat asked for a true prophet of the Lord. 

Ahab is hesitant but has Micaiah summoned to prophecy on the topic as well.  As you can see from our focus verses, Ahab actually says he hates Micaiah because he never says anything good about him.  Rather than take this to heart and consider there may be an issue with his own actions, he simply blames Micaiah.  Interestingly, Micaiah prophecies victory for Israel and Judah over Aram but also that Ahab would be killed in battle.  Ahab, with his typical arrogance, dismisses Micaiah with anger but is indeed killed in the battle.

How often do we surround ourselves with people who will tell us what we want to hear?  Obviously, Ahab made a habit of this.  He liked his paid prophets because they petted his ego and agreed with him.  They didn’t call him out on his behavior or idolatry.  Micaiah, on the other hand, told it like it was.  I’m wondering if we sometimes do the same.  We hang out with people who tell us what we want to hear or think exactly like we do.  We listen to news and podcasts that reinforce our own ideas.  Do we allow ourselves to be challenged?  I can’t help but think that’s the importance of constantly digging into God’s Word and spending lots of time in prayer.  We need to listen to God so God can share his truth with us.  Sometimes this truth will reinforce what we know or be exactly what we want to hear.  Other times, it will be hard truth that convicts us and points us in another direction.  But this is how God stretches us, grows us, and helps us better reflect Jesus.  

Do you allow God to challenge and convict you and how?

Let’s pray…Lord Jesus, How we need you.  On our own, we stay comfortable.  We don’t grow.  Lord, stretch us, challenge us, mold us, transform us, so that we can look more like you.  In Your Name, Amen.