May the mumbling commence!
There is a way of seeking the Lord and discovering the truth. In the story recorded in 1 Kings 22 and 2 Chronicles 18, we see some red flogs to watch out for when we seek the truth of the Lord. Read a portion of 1 Kings 22:
Jehoshaphat replied to the king of Israel, "I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses." But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, "First seek the counsel of the Lord."
So the king of Israel brought together the prophets – about four hundred men – and asked them, "Shall I go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I refrain?"
"Go," they answered, "for the Lord will give it into the king's hand."
But Jehoshaphat asked, "Is there not a prophet of the Lord here whom we can inquire of?" (4b-7)
Why did King Jehoshaphat question the conclusion of the 400 prophets? Perhaps it was because they spoke as one. I know from growing up in a large family that it is near impossible to have 100% agreement on anything – even something as trivial as what’s for dinner. Too much agreement is a red flag. Read further from 1 Kings 22:
The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, "There is still one man through whom we can inquire of the Lord, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me, but always bad. He is Micaiah son of Imlah."
"The king should not say that," Jehoshaphat replied…
All the other prophets were prophesying the same thing. "Attack Ramoth Gilead and be victorious," they said, "for the Lord will give it into the king's hand." The messenger who had gone to summon Micaiah said to him, "Look, as one man the other prophets are predicting success for the king. Let your word agree with theirs, and speak favorably."
But Micaiah said, "As surely as the Lord lives, I can tell him only what the Lord tells me."
When he arrived, the king asked him, "Micaiah, shall we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I refrain?"
"Attack and be victorious," he answered, "for the Lord will give it into the king's hand."
The king said to him, "How many times must I make you swear to tell me nothing but the truth in the name of the Lord?" (8;12-16)
Now King Ahab questioned Micaiah’s prophecy. I believe Ahab questioned Micaiah’s words because they so closely matched the words of the other prophets. When pressed, Micaiah spoke the word of the Lord. Read it below:
Then Micaiah answered, "I saw all Israel scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd, and the Lord said, 'These people have no master. Let each one go home in peace.'"
The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "Didn't I tell you that he never prophesies anything good about me, but only bad?"
Micaiah continued, "Therefore hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne with all the host of heaven standing around him on his right and on his left. And the Lord said, 'Who will entice Ahab into attacking Ramoth Gilead and going to his death there?' "One suggested this, and another that. Finally, a spirit came forward, stood before the Lord and said, 'I will entice him.'
'By what means?' the Lord asked.
'I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets,' he said.
'You will succeed in enticing him,' said the Lord. 'Go and do it.'
So now the Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouths of all these prophets of yours. The Lord has decreed disaster for you." (22:17-23)
A lying spirit had infected all the king’s prophets so that Ahab would fall in battle. The other prophets vehemently denied Micaiah’s accusation. The kings of Israel and Judah still went to war, but Ahab tried to use deception. Deception does not work when the Lord’s hand is in something. Ahab went to battle disguised while Jehoshaphat went in royal attire; yet a random arrow killed Ahab anyway, while Jehoshaphat was protected. Hmm… Was it really a random arrow? I think not. The Lord guided the arrow to Ahab and protected Jehoshaphat from attack in a case of mistaken identity.
The Lord’s justice will be done. So, let’s seek his truth even when it hurts.
Enough mumbling for today…
Peace Out
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