MICAIAH’S VISION

Ahab, the king of Israel, and Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, form an alliance against Syria. Before embarking on their mili­tary venture, Jehoshaphat desires a word from the Lord, v. 5. Ahab summons ‘his’ prophets who duly ‘oblige’, v. 6. They say what Ahab wants to hear, in his terms, ‘what is good’, vv. 8, 13. The feel good factor is fighting fit; the casualty is truth.

Jehoshaphat, however, desires a prophet of Jehovah, v. 7, so Micaiah is summoned. He duly obliges, using the false prophets’ very words, v. 13. However, they are clearly ironic, and the tone of voice is not lost on Ahab, v. 16.

Urged to speak the truth, v. 16, he describes Israel as sheep scattered on the hills without a shepherd, highlighting the dis­tressing failure of leadership, a recurring theme of the prophets. The Lord is telling them to return to their home rather than go to battle, v. 17. Ahab describes this as ‘no good concerning me, but evil’, v. 18; how ironic, yet unconsciously so, for had he regarded the message he would not have died that day.

Micaiah continues by describing a vision, vv. 19-23, of the royal court in heaven, the Lord seated on a throne, as a king con­sulting with counsellors on a matter of importance; a scene not unlike the one being enacted on earth, with two regally-dressed monarchs seated on thrones, flanked by dignitaries, plus 400 prophets, v. 10. But the throne in heaven controls the universe, and is flanked by all the host of heaven who are standing by Him, v. 19. Ahab’s days are numbered; he will fall in the battle, v. 20. God is not mocked. His faithful servants may be disre­garded, dismissed, imprisoned, but their words will come to pass. God’s purposes cannot be thwarted, either by religious approval and blessing, or by armour and disguise, v. 30. He uses varied means: servants, such as Micaiah, the broker of truth, speaking what the Lord says to him; ‘accidents’, such as the casual, indiscriminate firing of an arrow, v. 34; His enemies, here the false prophets, influenced by a spirit whom He sends to them, who lie to Ahab and persuade him, vv. 21, 22.

God’s use of His enemies is never more evident than at the cross, Acts 2. 37; 4. 26-28.