WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON

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For Sunday May 2, 2021

 

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SPEAKING TRUTH TO POWER

(Micaiah prophesies against Ahab)

(1 Kings 22:1-28)

 

   The books of first and second kings are categorized as two of the “history books” of the Holy Bible. However, we will do well to remember, that, no book in the Bible is written just to give us a history lesson, but rather, they are written to give us information from GOD, pertaining to HIMSELF.

    These “history books” were read by GOD’s people following their Babylonian exile, so that they might find answers to the many deep and painful questions that they had regarding the benefits of being “chosen by GOD”. The LORD’s allowing of Nebuchadnezzar and his Babylonian forces to destroy Jerusalem and place them in captivity had raised concerns about GOD’s sovereignty and power over other gods, and HIS love for them.

    Collectively, the so-called “history books of the Bible” give the account of Israel’s persistent rebellious acts against GOD and the terms of HIS covenant with them. They also tell of GOD’s “divine judgment” in the form of the many curses that comes with persistently living and being “outside of GOD’s Will”. And finally, they also chronicle Israel’s temporary return to GOD, and HIS resulting, ever-present mercy upon those who chose to do so, and earnestly repent.

    Here in First Kings 22, the opening lines describe a conversation between two kings, Ahab of northern Israel, and Jehoshaphat of Judah (southern Israel). Here we see King Jehoshaphat paying a visit to King Ahab, and they are discussing a joint military initiative. During this visit, Ahab speaks to his officials saying, “Do you realize that the Arameans are still occupying our city of Ramoth-gilead? And we haven’t done a thing about it!” (Vs.1-3).

    Ahab then turns to King Jehoshaphat and requests that he join them in an effort to retake Ramoth-gilead, and Jehoshaphat agreed telling Ahab that his troops were at his command. However, Jehoshaphat did have one stipulation, and that was that they first consult with the LORD for HIS wisdom on the matter, before moving forward with their plan (Vs.4-5).

    And so, Ahab summoned his 400 false prophets (of Baal), and asked them if the nation should proceed in war against the Arameans. All 400 prophets unanimously agreed that they should, and they promised Ahab that the LORD would give them a glorious victory (v.6). However, Jehoshaphat wasn’t putting much stock into prophets who were not of the real GOD, the GOD of Israel.

    And so, we see in verse 7 Jehoshaphat pose the question to Ahab: “Isn’t there a prophet of the LORD around too? I would like to ask him the same question”. King Ahab replied, “There is still one prophet of the LORD, but I hate him. He never prophesies anything but bad news for me! His name is “Micaiah” (“My-kay-uh”) son of Imlah”.

    Jehoshaphat’s reign as king of Judah had been characterized by religious reforms and the suppression of idolatry, and he cautioned Ahab not to speak that way of the LORD’s anointed prophets. He then tells Ahab to let him hear what Micaiah has to say. And so, Ahab reluctantly called for his officials to go and get Micaiah, and request that he enter into their presence so that he can give them a prophesy from the LORD regarding their plan of war against Aram (v.9).

    Taking up at verse 10 we see the two kings dressing up in their royal apparel and seating themselves on thrones at “the threshing floor” near the gate of the city of Samaria, the most popular gathering place that could accommodate a large crowd of people. It is there where all of Ahab’s false prophets had been prophesying.

    Upon Micaiah’s arrival he was asked the same question by Ahab that he had asked his false prophets. The messenger who was sent to retrieve Micaiah had already urged him to agree with the 400 false prophets so as to not upset the king (in other words, tell him what he wants to hear). However, Micaiah told the messenger that he would only say what GOD told him to say.

    In Micaiah’s answer to Ahab, he delivered and related the burden of the LORD in all of its devastating simplicity and force. He told him that he had seen in a vision, all of Israel being scattered like sheep without a shepherd, wandering about, searching for leadership and guidance. Their shepherd (Ahab) was killed, and they returned to their homes without being pursued by their enemies.

     Micaiah’s “speaking truth to power”, once again, was not what King Ahab wanted to hear. Ahab, like most people, was looking for a god that would agree with and serve him. Anyone who desires to be “a leader of men”, must first, be “a follower of GOD”. Ahab reacted to Micaiah’s answer and warning offhandedly, and in truth, was offended by what he had to say. He was unwilling to receive or consider his message, seriously. And so “death” would soon, inevitably follow.

    Whenever we find ourselves in willful rebellion to “the truth”, we can see visions of Ahab in our own spirits. Oftentimes GOD’s words will challenge and inconvenience us, however we must remain alert and sensitive to these rebellious tendencies, lest we be in danger of choosing an unholy path.

    In Jehoshaphat we see a man who desired to please GOD, but unfortunately, he lacked consistency, and the amount of faith that it takes to follow through. This happens when we are hesitant to execute a GOD-given, divinely approved plan, that does not conflict in any way with GOD’s written law of behavior.

    We must study and accept GOD’s Word into our spirit, in all its fullness, before we can properly discern, advise, and encourage others to embrace “right decisions”. When we embrace GOD’s powerful truth deep down in our own spirit, then, a “lying spirit” cannot enter into us, and corrupt us, or "mislead us", from the right path.

  

A Sunday school lesson by,

Larry D. Alexander

 

 

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