Today's Reading:

1 Kings 22
2 Chronicles 18
2 Chronicles 19
2 Chronicles 20

King Ahab accepts or rejects God’s word depending on whether it suits him or not. God gives us answers when we sit and listen. He will always answer; it just may not be the answer you want to hear. His answers can be simplified to a “yes”, “no”, or “wait, my idea is better.” The waiting is the hardest part. How do you decide to follow God even if He does not give you what you desire? Following God means trusting Him even when His answer is “no” or “wait,” because He sees the whole picture and always has our best interest in mind. Is there an area in life right now where God has said “no” or wait,” and you are struggling to trust Him? When His answer is not what we want to hear, how do we choose to hold onto His truth instead of ignoring it?

After three years of peace, the wicked King Ahab of Israel (north) wanted to recapture the area of Ramoth-Gilead from the Arameans (Syria). Ahab made an alliance with Jehoshaphat from the Southern Kingdom of Judah to join him in the fight. Jehoshaphat was normally seeking God, but had made an alliance through marriage (his son married Ahab’s daughter Athaliah). Jehoshaphat warned Ahab that they should seek God before the battle. Ahab consulted 400 of his court prophets (Baal and Asherah prophets) who all agreed with his mission, telling him exactly what he wanted to hear. Ahab accepts or rejects the prophets’ words, depending on whether it is good or bad news, only if it suits him.

Jehoshaphat senses that the prophets were not right, so he asked for a Prophet to the Lord. Micaiah, whom Ahab hates, due to his prophecies that never align with his own will, will come. When asked about the war, Micaiah answered sarcastically, repeating the words of Ahab’s other prophets. He then answered with the truth that Ahab did not like. He saw that Israel would be scattered like sheep without a shepherd, and Ahab would die. In a heavenly vision, God asked who would bring Ahab down, and a spirit volunteered to be a “lying spirit”. He was sent to deceive Ahab as a form of judgment. God does not lie or permit lying, this shows He is sovereign to allow the deception as judgment on those who already rejected the truth.

Zedekiah, the leader of Ahab’s false prophets, smacked Micaiah in the face for his true prophecy of the king dying in battle. He had just publicly prophesied victory with his fancy horns. Micaiah’s words made Zedekiah look like a fake prophet being used by a lying spirit. He asked Micaiah which way the spirit went, trying to save face in front of the kings. Then the king ordered Micaiah to be put in prison living on “bread and water” until the king returns in peace. Boldly, Micaiah answers with, “If you return at all in peace, the Lord has not spoken by me.”

Ahab and Jehoshaphat go to fight the Syrians, with Jehoshaphat dressed in royal robes and Ahab as a soldier. Jehoshaphat was sent into the line of fire but was protected by the Lord. A “random” arrow hit Ahab in the gap of his armor. They did not shoot Ahab because he was the king, they had no idea that it was even him in disguise. He died slowly, propped up in his chariot. Dogs licked his blood fulfilling prophecy. The arrow was divine irony; you cannot hide from God’s Word.

Jehoshaphat went back to Jerusalem where Jehu the seer (not Jehu the king) rebuked him for helping Ahab. Jehoshaphat repents, and then appoints Levites, priests, and heads of families to settle disputes. Amariah became the chief priest and Zebadiah the leader of the tribe of Judah. He was determined to reform the people to fear the Lord.

Chapter 20 brought upon an invasion in Judah (south) by the Moabites, Ammonites, and others. Jehoshaphat called the nation to fast and assemble for a prayer. He reminds them of God’s sovereignty, their helplessness, and how they need His mercy. God answered through Jahaziel and told them to not be afraid as the battle was not theirs but God’s. He also said to stand firm and not be discouraged. They marched out with the worship leader and singers out front and no weapons (like Joshua and the battle of Jericho). The singers were praising the Lord in front of the army. The enemies turned on each other, confused and destroyed themselves. Judah collected so much plunder it took 3 days to collect it all. They showed up to fight a battle with worship singing, and God handled the rest, even giving them the plunder.

Today's Discussion question:

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