1 Kings 22:1-40
Ahab’s Demise

On his own initiative, King Ahab laid a plan to attack Ramoth-Gilead, even enlisting the help of King Jehoshaphat of Judah. When Jehoshaphat suggested inquiring of the Lord before the armies set out, Ahab assembled 400 yes-men who claimed to be prophets. They unanimously predicted victory. Ahab didn’t really want God’s guidance; he wanted God to rubberstamp his own plan. I’ve been guilty of that. In my homeschooling days, I spent eight hours every Sunday after church making lesson plans for the week. The last thing I did before collapsing into bed at midnight was pray: “Lord, bless these plans for the week.” After sharp conviction from the Holy Spirit, I kept a sign prominently displayed on my desk: PRAY FIRST. Whatever you need to plan or decide this week, large or small, turn to God first and ask Him for guidance, then keep your spiritual ears open as you proceed.

The prophet Micaiah stood strong for truth despite being one against 400 and despite being sent to prison by the unappreciative king. Inspired, we want to be that strong and that bold! But the battle for truth is first fought in our own minds and hearts. Ahab claimed to want the truth – he insisted that Micaiah tell him “nothing but the truth” (v16) – but his actions proved he did not believe the truth. We can say the right things, especially at church on Sunday, but think and act in a completely contrary way at other times and in other settings. Before we pray for strength to take on rulers and majorities, let’s pray for faith that is sincere, free of the taint of hypocrisy.

This week’s passage leads us to marvel at and praise God for His sovereignty over all things. First, He used the lying spirit of the 400 false prophets to accomplish His judgment on Ahab. God never condones evil, but He uses it to for His good purposes. Nothing, not even evil, lies outside His jurisdiction. Second, what humans call random is also subject to God’s command. A random arrow somehow found Ahab, penetrating the one vulnerable spot in his armor and mortally wounding him. “What are the chances of that?” Pastor Todd asked. One hundred percent, if God has ordained it.

In Christ,
Carol Gilbert