http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Kings%2022,%202%20Chronicles%2018&version=ESV
2 Chronicles 18:7 : "And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of the LORD, Micaiah the son of Imlah; but I hate him, for he never prophesies good concerning me, but always evil." And Jehoshaphat said, "Let not the king say so."
In today's readings, we read of the end of Ahab. Ahab was shown grace by God, as we read yesterday, but today we read how Ahab did not heed and in fact despised the Word of the Lord, which ultimately lead to his death.
Ahab and Jehoshaphat are in alliance. Jehoshaphat asks Ahab if there are any other prophets besides the 400 Ahab has provided that would speak about their going up to retake Ramoth-gilead.
Ahab tells him of Micaiah the son of Imlah, and says he hates him because he never prophesies good concerning himself.
Isn't that true for a lot of us today? We like the Word of the Lord when it speaks to us in the ways we want to spoken to. But when the Word confronts us and forces us to think about ourselves and how we are not following God in specific areas of our lives, how quickly we are to turn from those parts of Scripture.
Ahab did not follow all of God's Word, and towards the end we see how he deluded himself in this. He told Jehoshaphat when they were in the battle to dress in his kingly attire while he, Ahab, would dress as a regular soldier. How foolish is that? Ahab knows what the revelation of God says about him, yet he thinks he can fool God by clothing himself as a regular soldier and in effect hide from God?
Ahab is a good example for us. An example of what happens to one when a person selectively listens to the Word of God. That path will lead to ruin.
Proverbs 30:5 says "Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him."
and Psalm 119:160 says "The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever."
We must always read, strive to understand, and obey the truths of the Word of God. We can not be selective in the parts we read, strive to understand, or obey.
God has given us a great treasure in revealing Himself to us through His Word and His Son. A better understanding of His Word gives us a stronger and deeper appreciation for His Son, whom we are all to strive to be like and live like in this world.
Philippians 1:9-11 "And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God."
Soli Deo Gloria.
Today's post was submitted by Russ Shellhamer.
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This chapter shows the real danger to us of being unequally yoked with an unbeliever. We tend to reason that things will just get better over time but it could cost us dearly.
ReplyDeleteJehosphaphat who knew the Lord was yoking himself the the wicked Ahab. Unprotected spiritually, Ahab is deceived by lying spirits sent from God. It's a setup for his own demise. Yet the believer Jehosphasphat is almost taken in the same trap but the Lord is merciful to His people despite being warned by God's prophet to beware!
I love where Jehosphaphat cries out when he realizes he is in deep trouble. I like this because I've been in the same situation myself. In the wrong place at the wrong time yet as I come to my senses and cry out to the Lord, He is merciful to help me despite having brought all this upon myself. Praise God for His mercy.
IKing 22:4
So he said to Jehoshaphat, "Will you go with me to fight at Ramoth Gilead?" Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, "I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses."
(NKJ)