Foundations Week 21, Day 3

Scripture Read: 1 Kings 21; 22
Title: Micaiah the Prophet

H.E.A.R. 
(H) Highlight verse:  "And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, 'There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of the LORD, Micaiah the son of Imlah, but I hate him, for he never prophesied good concerning me, but evil.'"  1 Kings 22:8
 
(E) Explain:  During a time of peace the king of Judah, Jehoshaphat,  came and spoke with the king of Israel, Ahab, about going to war with Ramoth-gilead.  Before engaging in war Jehoshaphat says they should inquire the prophets about whether they should go to war or not.  They gathered about 400 prophets and they all gave the go ahead and told them the LORD was with them.  Yet Jehoshaphat wasn't fully convinced and asked if there was another prophet they could ask.  Ahab said there was one named Micaiah, but he doesn't like inquiring of him because he always prophesies bad news.  However, they inquire of him and Micaiah tells them not to go to war,  the LORD is not with them, and if they do go into war the king will be killed.  The king gets mad at him and has him thrown into prison until he returns in peace.  Micaiah says, "If you return in peace, the LORD has not spoken by me."  As predicted King Ahab dies in battle.

(A) Application: This story holds a special place in my heart because my wife and I name our daughter after the prophet Micaiah.  What I found appealing about Micaiah was that he was a prophet who wasn't particularly interested in pleasing people and declaring prophecies to make people feel good, he was a man connected to God and He listened to him and spoke the truth, no matter what.  We read in the account that King Ahab didn't like Micaiah because he always prophesied bad news, but it wasn't because he was a curmudgeon it was because he spoke the truth. 

This is a noble and honorable trait.  Sometimes God places things on our hearts that may not be pleasant that we need to speak to either loved ones, friends or colleagues and we need to be obedient to God.  There are times in my life where I know there are things I need to say and I am aware that what I say will either make the person mad at me, break a relationship or even put my career in jeopardy, but I must remain faithful to God.  We are told in Bible that we must obey God and not man (Acts 5:29).  This can be hard or even dangerous at times, but if God speaks to us to be the bearer of good or bad news then we must be faithful to respond to Him.

(R) Respond: Speaking the truth can be hard and sometimes dangerous.  I pray that as You guide me to speak the truth that I may do so in love, knowing that sometimes speaking the truth in love can be a hard and painful thing; but it's the right thing.