So the king of Israel summoned the prophets, about 400 of them, and asked them, “Should I go to war against Ramoth-gilead, or should I hold back?” They all replied, “Yes, go right ahead! The Lord will give the king victory.” But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there not also a prophet of the LORD here? We should ask him the same question.” [1 Kings 22.6-7]
Following the thread of thought I started yesterday, I see again today that folks are just confused on who God is! And, it's been going on for a long time!
Here in this story today, the kings of Judah and Israel were at a place of peace between themselves. During this time, Ahab of Israel invited Jehoshaphat of Judah to join him in fighting Aram.
Ahab consulted 400 prophets (remember that since Jeroboam, Israel let anyone be priests, and so, it is likely that anyone could be a prophet as well). Jehoshaphat distinguished however between Ahab's prophets, who spoke for the "Lord", and a true prophet of the LORD (Yahweh - note small caps).
The one prophet of Yahweh, Micaiah, did not agree with the 400 prophets of Ahab's. Micaiah was right and the 400 were wrong as the story goes.
The point I am making again today is that just because people say they are speaking for God does not make it so. In fact, there may be many more not speaking for God than there are speaking for God.
Furthermore, among the 401 prophets consulted in today's story, every one of them claimed to be speaking for God. However, it was the one prophet noted to represent "Yahweh", that we will see got it right.
Yes, just because someone claims to be speaking for "God" does not necessarily mean they are speaking for Yahweh (the LORD).
The difference is actual relationship.
Father, help me to further consider today what the implications for this story are. I want to be in such a relationship with You that there is no mistaking it.
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