Outnumbered III

 Jehoshaphat did not know Micaiah personally. He was unaware of his existence until Ahab mentioned him, yet he rebuked Ahab for asserting that he hated Micaiah because he did not prophesy good things about him. Jehoshaphat understood that the standard by which we judge prophesy is not whether or not it makes us all giddy inside or gives us the vapors for all the praise that was heaped upon us.

If you received a word from the Lord that contained a rebuke before your heart turns to stone and you begin to hate the messenger, weigh the message and see if it is true. Not whether you particularly liked it but whether it revealed something unknowable to man that requires your attention, acknowledgment, and redress. Was it perhaps that the chastening was deserved, even necessary? If so, rejoice because God chastens those He loves.

Correction is part of the journey. A wise soul receives it and makes the requisite changes. A foolish soul transforms into a toddler and begins to pound his fists on the pavement. Ahab reacted to God’s correction over time in the most childish way one possibly could. Even though he was a king, his actions confirmed his immaturity and inability to lead God’s people.

1 Kings 22:8, “And Jehoshaphat said, “Let not the king say such things!”

It was at this point that Jehoshaphat realized Ahab was walking on thin ice. You can’t hate a prophet of the Lord just because you didn’t like the message he delivered. It was not his message; it was God’s message. If God’s message upsets you, that’s something you have to take up with God, and I promise you will be in the wrong every time.

Jehoshaphat likely knew of Ahab’s past and how God had spared him for showing true remorse and putting sackcloth on his body, fasting, and mourning. The man standing before Jehoshaphat and his overall attitude toward the messengers God sent was not the same man who tore his clothes at Elijah’s words. Something had changed. His heart had been hardened, and he no longer heeded the warning of God’s prophets but instead harbored animus toward the one man who spoke truth into his life.

1 Kings 22:9-12, “Then the king of Israel called an officer and said, “Bring Micaiah the son of Imlah quickly!” The king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, having put on their robes, sat each on his throne, at a threshing floor at the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets prophesied before them. Now Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah had made horns of iron for himself; and he said, “Thus says the Lord: ‘With these you shall gore the Syrians until they are destroyed.” And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, “Go up to Ramoth Gilead and prosper, for the Lord will deliver it into the king’s hand.’”

Four hundred prophets had already agreed on the course before them. It was a slam dunk, a guaranteed win. What harm could it do bringing Micaiah in to pacify Jehoshaphat? There was overwhelming consensus. Four hundred out of four hundred agreed, with not one remaining silent or dissenting. In the hopes of standing out among the four hundred, one of them even made himself a prop. He had horns of iron fashioned for himself to illustrate how the Syrians would be gored. You know they’re serious when they bring out the props. They mean business, buddy, and you can take their exaggerated theatrics to the bank. It would be laughable if it were not such a serious matter.

When men are vying for attention rather than obedience, all manner of strange things come about because, in their hearts, they believe it will set them apart somehow. To a certain extent, I guess it works. Zedekiah, the son of Chenaanah, is the only one of the four hundred whom history remembers by name. The question is, would you prefer that your name be forgotten by the passing of time or that it will forever be remembered for acting a fool?

All four hundred were trying to ingratiate themselves to the king. One of them went above and beyond, and though it might have gotten him noticed, the only thing it revealed about his character was that he wasn’t there to deliver a true word from the Lord but to make himself seen and remembered by the king.

It’s not as though this man is the only one who has ever done this sort of thing. We see it often when preachers or evangelists come in contact with people of power, influence, or some sort of authority, wherein they will do their utmost to ingratiate themselves and omit to speak the truth of Scripture into their lives, hoping to keep from offending them. They forfeit an opportunity to preach Christ and Him crucified because they are unsure of how it will play. If that’s the case, then your desire to be accepted within a certain circle or ride the coattails of a certain individual is more important to you than God’s mandate to preach the gospel.

When one is committed to truth and a true servant of God, it matters not who stands before them, how powerful or influential they might be, or whether their words might cause offense. This is one of the differences between being a servant of God and claiming to be one.

Micaiah had no qualms about delivering the message of the Lord even though he knew it would not win him any brownie points or garner him favor with the king. He did his duty as a prophet of the Lord and was willing to face the repercussions for his obedience gladly.

We are called to do likewise in our day, knowing that we are likelier to be thrown into a dungeon, stripped of our earthly possessions, or demonized by those who would not hear the truth than we are to be celebrated and appreciated for the boldness required to speak uncomfortable words. It’s part and parcel of being a servant of Christ. Our resolute stance must remain as Peter's when he said we ought to obey God rather than men. There was no addendum to his declaration, nor were there caveats or exceptions. Speak the truth always, and let the chips fall where they may.

With love in Christ,

Michael Boldea, Jr.