Posts made in August, 2021


Micaiah: A Profile in Courage

Micaiah: A Profile in Courage


Posted By on Aug 12, 2021

Being the LORD’s prophet carried with it the utmost responsibility to God because prophets were bound to speak God’s Word accurately [“Thus says the LORD”] regardless of the consequences (Deut. 13, 18).  Many of them suffered immeasurably for the truth they heralded, and often their divine call encompassed warning evil, disobedient, and prideful kings of God’s impending judgment.  Moreover, because of their continual admonitions, many times their lives were in jeopardy.  Micaiah1 was one of those courageous prophets, who God called to prophesy the shameful and terminal fate of an evil king.  Furthermore, Micaiah’s stern warning opposed the evil kings favored four-hundred false prophets, who loyally placated their master.   This occurred in approximately 850 B.C., during the time when Israel was a divided nation consisting of ten northern tribes (Israel) and two southern tribes (Judah). There were also two kings—the exceedingly wicked King Ahab who ruled the north and King Jehoshaphat who ruled the south.  King Ahab desired to wage war against the nation of Syria to reclaim the city of Ramoth-Gilead, which Syria occupied.  Ahab requested Jehoshaphat that they join forces to conquer Syria and take back what belonged to Israel.  Jehoshaphat wanted Ahab to seek a word from the LORD to determine if attacking Syria would be propitious (1 Kin. 22:3-5, 2 Chr. 18:3-4).  King Ahab sought counsel from false four-hundred prophets that were under his rule: “And they said, ‘Go up, for the Lord will give it into the hand of the king.’” (1 Kin. 22:6b).  The New American Commentary notes: “not one of whom was an acceptable prophet of Yahweh.  One of the marks of a true prophet was that he often stood alone against the opinion of others who made prophetic claims (1 Chr. 36:16; 2 Kgs 17:13-15; Neh 9:26; Jer 25:4, 26:4-5, 28, 29:24-32; cf. Matt 23:33-37).  For Jehoshaphat the fact that all those prophets agreed was sufficient evidence they were in collusion.” 2   Unsatisfied with King Ahab’s illegitimate prophets, King Jehoshaphat asked Ahab if there was a legitimate prophet of the LORD to consult (1 Kin. 22:7, 2 Chr. 18:6).  Reluctantly, Ahab called for the prophet Micaiah whom he loathed, claiming: “… He does not prophesy good concerning me, but evil.” (1 Kin. 22:8, 2 Chr. 18:7) –ironically, Micaiah was a truthful prophet. Attempting to pressure Micaiah Ahab’s messenger said: “Please let your word be like the word of one of them [the false prophets] and speak favorably.” (1 Kin. 22:13, 2 Chr. 18:12).  Micaiah answered exhibiting a courageous and obedient faith: “As the LORD lives, what the LORD says to me, that I will speak.” (1 Kin. 22:14, cf. 2...

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