Today’s passage: 2 Chronicles 18:1-34
Helpful thoughts:
- Jehoshaphat unwisely united himself to Ahab (The grave consequences of this will show up in later chapters). This text seems to show a little naivete on his part concerning the subtle lies of the religion of the northern tribes.
- When Jehoshaphat desired to seek the Lord, all of Ahab’s prophets came…none of them were prophets of the Lord (The name “Yahweh” is usually marked in English translations by spelling out LORD in all capital letters.
- The prophets Ahab summoned all used the term “God.” Or Elohim. Jehoshaphat learned that they needed to specify the desire to hear from a prophet of the LORD.
- Micaiah, the true prophet, was told to speak favorably, then told to speak the truth. He did both, but in a way that Ahab saw through immediately. His true prophecy was not “good” news.
- If Micaiah declared he was speaking on behalf of the Lord and was wrong, he should have received worse treatment than imprisonment. (Deuteronomy 18:20)
- The “spirit” who desired to deceive Ahab to his demise must have been a fallen angel, just as Satan had been under the authority and permission of the Lord in Job 1.
- Ahab tried to ignore God’s word, then he tried to hide from God’s word, then he tried to defy God’s word. God’s word prevailed.
Questions to consider:
- Just to put all this false prophecy and idolatry in perspective, and according to Deuteronomy 18:20 and Deuteronomy 13, how many of the people involved in this narrative today deserved the death penalty according to God’s Law for Israel? Furthermore, when any form of idolatry is taking place, who is involved beyond the people worshiping (Deuteronomy 32:16-17)?
- What was Micaiah’s response to the false prophet’s request to give a good prophecy (Verse 14)? In the face of all those false prophets and a king who was ready and willing to imprison him, who was Micaiah seeking to please and glorify? How can this encourage us?
- Was Ahab able to usurp God’s decree? Christian, what promises has God decreed to the church? In light of God’s authority and promises, how should we live?