Read 1 Kings 21
Highlights:
Naboth's vineyard; Jezebel plots the death of Naboth; Elijah pronounces Ahab's and Jezebel's doom; Ahab's repentance; Jehoshaphat and Ahab unite against Syria; Micaiah's prophecy of Ahab's death.
And Micaiah said, Behold . . . thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself. And the king of Israel said . . . Put this fellow in the prison (I Kin. 22:25-27).
Jehoshaphat agreed to attack Syria with Ahab. But Jehoshaphat was uneasy about making the attack, so he said: Inquire, I pray thee, at the Word of the Lord to day (22:5).
Ahab called 400 of his prophets. Although they unanimously assured Ahab of great success, Jehoshaphat was still hesitant. He had no confidence in Ahab's prophets and insisted on consulting one other prophet. Reluctantly, Ahab called in Micaiah, a godly prophet who had been imprisoned because of his faithfulness to God.
The messengers tried to persuade Micaiah to agree with Ahab's 400 prophets and thus gain the favor of the king. But Micaiah could not be intimidated. He refused saying: What the Lord saith unto me, that will I speak (22:14). There were 400 "yes" votes to Micaiah's one vote — a miserable minority, but the Truth is not dependent upon a majority vote.
When he foretold that they would not only lose the battle but also that King Ahab would be killed, he was slapped and dragged back to prison. But the presence of God can transform even a dungeon, and this lonely prophet's response was, "I saw the Lord." One revelation from the Lord was worth more to Micaiah than popular acceptance.
Madame Guyon (1648-1717) was imprisoned because of her devotion to the Lord. She wrote in her autobiography:
A little bird am I, shut from the fields of the air,
Yet, in my cage I sing to Him who placed me there;
Well pleased a prisoner to be,
Because, my God, it pleases Thee.
Unlike Micaiah, far too many of the people of God do not experience the presence and power of God upon their lives because they are persuaded by men or circumstances to modify the Truth.
If need be, we can sacrifice all we possess, but we dare not sacrifice the Truth. And ye shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall make you free (John 8:32).
For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully (I Pet. 2:19).
Thought for Today:
God imparts His strength to those who remain faithful to Him.
Christ Portrayed:
By Micaiah, who would say only what God instructed him to say (I Kin. 22:14). Jesus faithfully told others only what God told Him to say. Then said Jesus unto them . . . I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father hath taught Me, I speak these things (John 8:28; 12:49-50).
Word Studies:
21:27 softly, sadly, subdued; 22:3 be still, do nothing; 22:11 push, gore; 22:13 with one mouth, unanimously; 22:16 adjure thee, put you under oath; 22:34 at a venture, without specific aim; harness, armor; 22:48 broken, wrecked.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts in memory of Dr. John A. Hash • Government Official: Rep. Bobby C. Scott (VA) • Country: Canada (31 million) in North America • Major languages: English and French • Religious freedom • 47% Roman Catholic; 37% Protestant; 3% Eastern Orthodox; 2% cults; 1% Jewish • Prayer Suggestion: Humble yourself before the Lord (I Pet. 5:5-6).
Optional Reading: Romans 3
Memory Verse for the Week: John 13:34
