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12 The messenger who had gone to summon Micaiah said to him, “Look, the other prophets without exception are predicting success for the king. Let your word agree with theirs and speak favorably.” 13 But Micaiah said, “As surely as the LORD lives, I can tell him only what my God says.” 14 When he arrived, the king asked him, “Micaiah, shall we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I not?” “Attack and be victorious,” he answered, “for they will be given into your hand.” 15 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?” 16 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.’” 17 The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Didn’t I tell you that he never prophesies anything good about me, but only bad?” 18 Micaiah continued, “Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne with all the multitudes of heaven standing on his right and on his left. 19 And the LORD said, ‘Who will entice Ahab king of Israel into attacking Ramoth Gilead and going to his death there?’ “One suggested this, and another that. 20 Finally, a spirit came forward, stood before the LORD and said, ‘I will entice him.‘ ’“By what means? ’the LORD asked. 21 ‘ “I will go and be a deceiving spirit in the mouths of all his prophets, ’he said. ‘ “You will succeed in enticing him, ’said the LORD. ‘Go and do it.’

22 “So now the LORD has put a deceiving spirit in the mouths of these prophets of yours. The LORD has decreed disaster for you.”

 

I find it interesting that King Ahab wanted to hear the prophesy from Micaiah. He had already received 400 prophecies supporting his decision to attack. He also had a history with Micaiah’s prophecies being counter to his desires. Even after Micaiah told Ahab that the Lord had put “a deceiving spirit” in the mouths of the other 400 prophets, Ahab decided to go ahead with his attack. Reading further in this chapter, we find how disastrous his decision becomes.

 

I think this raises two questions for us. Why do we seek multiple opinions before acting when we have already decided to go ahead regardless of their advice? Why do we seek out advice from a person we know will disagree with us?

 

Did Ahab ignore the prophesy from Micaiah, or did he act in spite of his prophesy? The text doesn’t give us that answer. We should always seek the counsel of trusted advisors. Deciding how to interpret their advice is the difficult part. Acting contrary to their advice might be disastrous as predicted or turn out fine. That choice is yours.

 

Dear Lord, help us to seek guidance from trusted advisors as we make decisions. Help us to choose the correct path. Guide our decisions in life to do your will. Amen

 

Barry Dougherty

barryd72@aol.com

 

Prayer concern - for help in making difficult choices

 

Additional readings - Hebrews 9: 23-28 and Psalm 46: 4-7