But the king replied sharply, “How many times must I demand that you speak only the truth to me when you speak for the LORD?” [1 Kings 22.16]
From the context of this story, it is established that this was not Ahab's first time to encounter Micaiah. Ahab's own words indicate they had previous encounters. Ahab also told Jehoshaphat earlier that Micaiah never prophesied anything but trouble for him (Ahab).
But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there not also a prophet of the LORD here? We should ask him the same question.” The king of Israel replied to Jehoshaphat, “There is one more man who could consult the LORD for us, but I hate him. He never prophesies anything but trouble for me! His name is Micaiah son of Imlah.” [1 Kings 22.7-8]
There is something interesting here. Micaiah had prophesied to Ahab previously and it was never good (for Ahab). Also, Ahab revealed that every time Micaiah prophesied, Ahab had to demand he not speak sarcastically, but to speak the truth. Ahab recognized Micaiah's sarcasm every time even though Micaiah said the same thing the false prophets were saying. In other words, Ahab knew what was right and true, but he didn't want to hear it.
Let's consider that statement again: Ahab knew what was right and true, but he didn't want to hear it.
Why would Ahab do that? Or, the better question would be, why would anyone do that?
Why would anyone know what is true but choose not to hear it? Now, it starts to get personal, doesn't it?
Fast forward to today. So many people know (and most even profess) that God exists. But sadly, many choose not to acknowledge God by the way they live. They choose instead to follow their own ways and desires in spite of knowing their own ways and desires are not God's way. Their own ways and desires are not the truth - they are not Jesus' ways and desires; Jesus, Who is Truth Incarnate.
This gets worse...
How many alleged "Christ-centered" churches today are chock-full of people who look and act nothing like Christ? How many churches are made up of people (sadly, leaders included) who do not even attempt to do the works of Jesus as Jesus said (commanded) His followers would do?
It's easy to pick on Ahab for being so blatantly rebellious when it distracts us from seeing ourselves! The Church is full of people who have heard the Truth all their lives but refuse to submit to it much like Ahab. Modern culture has so influenced the Church that it's sheep only partially mimic their organizational shepherd without conviction or concern from the organizational shepherd (wolf in sheep's clothing???) that they reflect practically nothing of the Great Shepherd, Jesus. And they keep showing up meeting after meeting only furthering their resistance against full submission to the Truth that is Jesus as so clearly portrayed in the Gospels.
And, for those who can honestly say they are not like Ahab ignoring the truth, can they honestly say they are not like Jehoshaphat who witnessed it all happen and still did nothing? Jehoshaphat heard the truth of Micaiah's prophecy and went with Ahab anyway, and it cost Ahab his life.
But, "Let's keep those church doors open and keep giving the people only as much truth as won't drive them away so the money keeps coming in! Yes, let's keep entertaining the people so they keep coming back and call it 'the Spirit' rife with emotion, but void of instant life-changing, body-healing power."
Too much? I am sure it is. So, let me, like Micaiah, say, "It's all good! No problem!" How does that make you feel? Confident? Assured? Or is something not sitting right with you? Does something about calling yourself a Christian and not looking anything like Christ make your stomach turn?
This is a call to repentance. For me. For anyone who reads this. If our lives do not look like Jesus Christ of the Gospels, repentance is our only response. Accordingly, we should open-endedly repent until our lives are changed - really changed - to be like Jesus of the Bible Who is the Way, Truth and Life. If we are too busy to do that, ...well, that is the choice to reject Christ Who said:
“If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed? If anyone is ashamed of me and my message, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in his glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels. [Luke 9.23-26]
Father, Your Word and Your Spirit have spoken to me today. Forgive me for my persistent resistance to Jesus Christ ruling on the throne of my heart. May my resistant will be broken so that Your will may be done in and through me. May my life look like Jesus in every possible way - every day. May my faith manifest in Christ-reflecting power to live "Christ" with every moment and every breath. Change me today - yesterday's change was not enough - and tomorrow's change will be even better than today's. So be it.
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