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Micaiah -- 2 Chronicles 18 & 1 Kings 22 Introduction: Prophet-- to boil up, spring forth. Sometimes called a "Seer". Messengers of God have numerous responsibilities. They are responsible to God, to their fellowman, and to themselves. Often they were despised and hated for their message but they still spoke the word of God. True messengers of God always spoke with a "Thus saith the Lord." I) The Background, 2 Chronicles 18.1-3 A) Jephoshaphat ruled for 25 years, 2 Chronicles 20.31 1. His father was Asa and his son , Jehoram married Ahabs daughter, 2 Chroncles 21.6. B) Ahab was an evil king and ruled for 22 years. 1. Jezebel was his wife, a worshipper of Baal, and she influenced him to do evil and wicked things. 2. He had refused to destroy Syria when given the opportunity, 1 Kings 20.28,42 C) At first Israel and Judah were at war but over time there grew a sense of peace. II) Jeohoshaphat's Desire, 2 Chronicles 18.4-6 A) God did not want him there. 1. Jehoshaphat did not listen, vv. 28ff. B) Must be careful who we listen to and who we reject. 1. Consider the source of your information. 2. Do not make alliances with unholy people, 2 Corinthians 6.14ff. III) Introduction of Micaiah, 2 Chronicles 18.7-8 A) Prophets (messengers of God) are often not well received, v. 25. 1. Hard to try and teach those who do not want to hear. 2. Many find it easier to get angry with the messenger than deal with the message. a. In politics we see personal attacks as a means of discrediting the message. b. In religion we see people say, "I just don't like the way they said it." B) The false prophets, 2 Chronicles 18.5-6, 9-11 1. Prophets of Baal and others were joined together. Jeremiah 5.30-31; 8.19 2. They told Ahab what he wanted to hear. IV) The Rest of The Story, 2 Chronicles 18.12-40 A) Micaiah's treatment, v. 12 1. Preach and don't condemn. Tell us the truth but don't get to "meddling"; don't preach on dancing, gambling, alcohol, immodesty, etc. 2. He was out numbered 400 to 1 but he was still right, Jeremiah 6.13-15. B) The message, v. 13-17 1. He spoke falsely so Ahab would know, 2 Timothy 4.3-4 2. The true message was one of death, Numbers 27.16-17 C) An additional message, v. 18-22 1. Ahab had no love for the truth, 2 Thess. 2. 11-12 2. In movie "Little, Big Man" about Custer at Little Big Horn, the main character told Custer that there were thousands of Indian braves waiting for him. If he went down there, they would kill him." At which Custer rationalized and said that it was a lie. a. Some people who ask for the truth really want a lie. b. Even when they are told it is a lie, they still rather believe it than the truth. D) Micaiah's treatment, vv. 23-27 1. He was sent to prison as Ahab promised to deal with him later. 2. Micaiah may have died in that prison but Ahab did not return. E) The results, v. 28-34 1. Jehoshaphat barely escaped and was then rebuked, 2 Chronicles 19.1-2. a. Why ask for a prophet of God if he was not going to listen to him? b. He should have known better. 2. Ahab was killed, 1 Kings 20.42; 21.25. 3. Micaiah was right. Conclusion: We need to have teachers and preachers like Micaiah. But it does not stop there. We must also be willing to listen to God's Word and then act in obedience. To stop short of obedience does no good. |