The Biblical Age of Kings #7: A Lying Spirit

Micaiah (of 1 Kings 22) is not a well-known Jewish prophet. But unlike the 400 prophets who come and prophesy at King Ahab's beckon call, Micaiah is not on retainer with the king. He is not one of the yes-men who rubber stamp Ahab's plans. Micaiah speaks for God, not at the behest of an evil ruler.

King Ahab of North Israel wants to go to war with Syria to recapture Ramoth-gilead. He calls on his apparent lackey, Jehoshaphat king of Judah, to aid his war effort. Jehoshaphat makes himself and his army available.

It turns out, however, that Jehoshaphat is no pushover. He retains the faith of his ancestor King David. Unlike Ahab who has sold out to Baal, Jehoshaphat is a Yahwist who believes in worshiping the one true God. Of course, the narrators also criticize Jehoshaphat for being a pragmatist who makes peace with Ahab and lets his people worship other gods (1 Kgs 22:43-44).

Still, Jehoshaphat believes in the Lord, and he throws a small wrench into the plans. He says to Ahab, "Let's check with the Lord to make sure this is a good idea" (22:5). Ahab calls his 400 prophets who reveal their verdict, "God has ordained your victory!" 

Jehoshaphat smells a rat—these guys are all a little too quick to endorse the plan. He asks if there is any other prophet they can call. Ahab replies, "There is still Micaiah son of Imlah, but I hate him. He never says anything nice about me." Jehoshaphat must know more than he lets on, for he insists they call Micaiah anyway.

The story gets even more interesting from this point. I encourage you to read 1 Kings 22 get the full story. It's a bizarre tale!

Needless to say, Micaiah faces great pressure when he arrives—both to please Ahab and to please God. It turns out that what Ahab wants and what God wants are one and the same. Unfortunately for Ahab, God is done with Ahab, and Ahab's war plans are the perfect canvas upon which to sketch out his demise. 

What is Ahab's most fundamental downfall? Ahab believes that his court is where it all happens. He sees his own glory and hears his own yes-men. Rather than serving a God who is more powerful than he, Ahab chooses gods he can shape and manipulate. He wrongly believes he controls his own destiny. 

How does Micaiah stand up to Ahab? Micaiah has the not-so-simple task of pointing past the facade and revealing the true picture. He must contradict the arrogant ways of Ahab and reveal the ways of the divine Counselor in whose hands rest the whole earth and Ahab's very life. 

It's hard to watch the train wreck of people's lives when they naively assume they control their own future. It's sad to see things unravel for folks who believe they are brilliant and invincible. They who believe they are their own masters eventually discover—often with tragedy and horror—that their power is contingent and their brilliance a mere reflection.

But if you have eyes to see the workings of God, your life can point to what's most important in life. The prophet Habakkuk spoke of the contrast between those who only see the work of their own hands and those whose eyes see the real workings of the universe: "What use is an idol once its maker has shaped it—a cast image, a teacher of lies? For its maker trusts in what has been made, though the product is only an idol that cannot speak! Alas for you who say to the wood, 'Wake up!' to silent stone, 'Rouse yourself!' Can it teach? See, it is gold and silver plated, and there is no breath in it at all. But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him!" (Hab 2:20-22).

You need to pray for the ability to see the Lord exalted in his holy temple—rather than just focusing on yourself. You ought to be able to say, "For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods" (Ps 95:3). You have to learn to pray as the psalmist prays, "Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you" (Ps 25:4-5).

It's my hope that the story of the prophet Micaiah will help point you in the right direction.