daily bible readings

King Jehoshaphat began his reign on a positive note. He served God and sought to walk in the ways of King David his predecessor. But, there are indications in the text that something might go amiss. 2 Chronicles 17:3 and 18:1 are suggestive that all is not well. But, we’ll have to wait for tomorrow to find out more.

Having allied himself to evil king Ahab by marriage, he was obliged to visit the king in the northern tribes. He was quickly pulled into a war to attack Ramoth Gilead. Jehoshaphat allied himself with an evil king and had become one with him.

Good king Jehoshaphat suggested to his father-in-law that they seek the counsel of the Lord before making any plans (2 Chronicles 18:4). Ahab summoned the 400 prophets and they universally declared, as Yes-Men usually do, that God would deliver the enemy into the hands of the two allied kings (2 Chronicles 18:5).

Jehoshaphat, however, proved to be more discerning. “Is there not a prophet of the Lord here whom we can inquire of?”, he asked the king (2 Chronicles 18:6). Ahab’s heart sank. The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, “There is still one man through whom we can inquire of the Lord, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me, but always bad. He is Micaiah son of Imlah.” (2 Chronicles 18:7). After a gentle rebuke, Micaiah, son of Imlah was called in before the two kings.

As Micaiah entered the kings’ presence, he saw and heard the other prophets prophesying victory. He saw the iron horns and one of the prophets acting like a proud and victorious bull with the horns on his head. With as much sarcasm as he could muster, Micaiah replied to the kings, “Attack and be victorious for they will be given into your hands.”

Ahab heard and understood the sarcasm. 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?” 2 Chronicles 18:15. After a scathing rebuke by the evil king, “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.’ ”” (2 Chronicles 18:16).

Micaiah, undaunted by the king and his power, continued to rebuke the king. He described the heavenly scene where he saw the Lord Almighty seated on the throne. The Lord of hosts asked the host of heaven, “Who will entice Ahab King of Israel into attacking Ramoth Gilead and going to his death there?” (2 Chronicles 18:19). Micaiah saw perhaps one of the most amazing and perplexing visions in all of Scripture. He witnessed a discussion in heaven where the heavenly host sought to bring forth a solution to the Lord Almighty. “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 lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets,’ he said.  ‘You will succeed in enticing him,’ said the Lord. ‘Go and do it.’” (2 Chronicles 18:19–21).

Ahab having heard the Word of Yahweh would have done well to repent and change his plans and ways. But, would he? Would evil king Ahab mend his ways and serve the Lord Almighty? Stay tuned, for tomorrow we will see what happens to Ahab.

Prayer:

Adoration:

• Adore God that He is sovereign and powerful and can do as He pleases.
• Adore God that He offers the chance of  repentance to all before He brings judgement and condemnation.

Confession:

• Take time to confess your sins to the Lord and to ask for forgiveness

Thanks:

• Thank God that He has put repentance into your heart and has so regenerated your heart that you long to be obedient and to repent of any sins in your life.
• Thank God that He longs for all people to come to a saving knowledge of the truth. 

Supplication:

• Ask the Lord to bless our Small Group leaders with wisdom and tact as they lead their groups. Pray that they would know God’s will for their particular group.
• Pray that our groups would grow in love, in knowledge and wisdom and in the ability to apply and live out the Word of God in their daily lives.
• Pray that we would see many come to know Christ as Lord and Saviour as they repent and believe in Jesus.

Discussion Questions:

1. What do you learn about God in this narrative?
2. What do you learn about the saints in this narrative?
3. What do you learn about sinners in this narrative?