Picking up from where we left off at yesterday...Jesus told the church at Sardis if they didn’t ‘get their act together’ (basically), and ‘repent’, that He was going to come upon them as a ‘thief’. And we know what a ‘thief’ comes to do. (Rev. 3:1-3; John 10:10)

“Oh, but my Jesus would never do that because He’s not that kind of God!”, you say? Hmmm....is it possible that just maybe some of us got duped into following ‘another Jesus’, as Paul warned might happen in 2 Cor. 11:3-4? Did Jesus not warn of false teachers and prophets who would be ‘wolves dressed in sheep’s clothing’ and lead people astray in Matt. 7:15-21?

Friends...you do realize that the one group of people whom Jesus became the most irate with, and expressed the most displeasure towards...was not all those ‘sinner folks’ out in the world whose lives were under the control of the ‘wicked one’ (1 John 5:19; Acts 26:18). He expressed great disappointment with all those who misrepresented Him by ‘honoring Him with their lips while their hearts were far from Him’ (Matt. 15:7-14). Yeah...let that sink in for a moment.

And this notion that God would actually ‘send delusion...to those who are perishing that they might be condemned...because they had no love for the truth’...(2 Thess. 2:9-12)...is a hard pill to swallow, I will admit. That mental image simply does not ‘fit’ with the current concept of a ‘loving God’ that most hold dearly to these days. And friends...I am in no way here trying to suggest in any form or fashion that God is not ‘good and loving’. On the contrary...I am just learning to ‘taste and see how good the Lord is’ as I have come to learn to abide in Him. (Ps. 34:8). But that invitation to ‘come and taste’ is sandwiched in between the exhortation to learn about the ‘fear of the Lord’ as well (Ps. 34:7-11)

King Solomon wrote: “In the day of prosperity, be joyful. But in the day of adversity consider this: Surely God has appointed the one as well as the other.” (Ecc. 7:14). Maybe that’s why Paul reminds us to “consider both the goodness AND the severity of God...” (Rom. 11:22). But let’s go back to this reference in 2 Thess. 2 where we are told how God will ‘send them a strong delusion’. It helps at times to have more ‘background support’ from scripture to give us a better understanding to the ‘ways of God’, instead of ‘picking and choosing’ those comforting verses we all love to quote. Take a moment and read through 1 Kings 22:1-38. And no need to feel nervous about going back to some OT readings, given what Peter declares in Acts 3:24-26 and 2 Pet. 3:1-2.6

Now, let’s review that chapter. Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, goes down to visit Ahab who is king over Israel. (1). Remember...there had been a split of the 12 tribes so now we have Judah and Israel co-existing as two separate kingdoms. Ahab is contemplating going into to take some land that was under the control of Syria, but wants to see if Jehoshaphat will join in and support the effort, who then suggests to Ahab that maybe they better pray about it first by seeking a word from the Lord’ (5). So Ahab rounds up all the prophets in the land, about 400 of them, and seeks for a word of confirmation from God. And the response from the whole group of them sounds unanimous: “Go up, for the Lord will deliver it into the hand of the king.”(6)

But Jehoshaphat is like...’ Whoa...Slow down there Ahab’. And he then asks “Is there not still a prophet of the Lord here, that we may inquire of him?” (7). That’s interesting given the fact we are just told that nearly 400 ‘prophets’ just gathered around to supposedly speak on God’s behalf by basically telling Ahab...’Yep...go for it; God is with you!’

Would you kindly underline vs. 8 and read it aloud to yourself. Please note the disparity in numbers here where you have 400 alleged ‘prophets’ ready to prophesy ‘good things’ that Ahab wants ...to hear; and then there is that one wet-blanket of doom...Micaiah whom Ahab ‘hates’...because ‘he does not prophesy good concerning me, but evil’. A 400:1 ratio. Tell me that would not have you questioning yourself at times if you were Micaiah.

So Ahab relents and calls for Micaiah to come (9). Then, something I find interesting here takes place as you read vs. 10-12. Both kings adorn their robes and are seated on their thrones as they prepare once again to hear from those first 400 prophets. This reminds me of what some churches have hosted in the past what is known as a ‘prophetic presbytery service’. IYKYK

The whole group of them, once again give an affirming and unanimous word of support that God will bless Ahab’s endeavor (12). Now look what the messenger who went to bring Micaiah to the event whispers to him...Don’t mess this up, Micaiah; please...for just once...try to fit in and go with the group here and don’t make waves and just agree with this encouraging word from God (13). To which Micaiah says...”Look...I will speak whatever God tells me to speak!” (14)

Then he is brought before the kings who asks once again...’Shall we go to war or shall we refrain’? And Micaiah answers quickly: “Go for it. You got this and God is in it to bless it.” (my paraphrase there). But Ahab is not having it. He knows better and you can just hear the frustration in his voice as he rebukes Micaiah...”How many times do I have to tell you...just give it to me straight...what is God telling you?!” (16). We are not given any reason as to why Micaiah uttered his first response, but when pressed by Ahab to level up with him, Micaiah now offers up a more detailed and differing scenario. I will let you re-read that in vs. 17-23; and please...take your time with it. (What is God about to send to the prophets?)

Clearly...Ahab has no desire to hear ‘truth’; and after Micaiah delivers his response, he is struck on the face and then sent to prison to be ‘fed with the bread and water of affliction...until Ahab comes back from his conquest in peace and victory’ (24-27). And Micaiah responds with a bold and sobering declaration: “IF you ever return in peace...you can be sure that I did not hear from God!” Then, he follows up with this final, sobering warning to anyone within earshot: “Take heed all you people!” (28). You can read on your own how Ahab’s venture plays out in 29-38. (It does not end well for him)

In closing for today, would you please consider looking up these passages and reading them over before taking some ‘quiet time’ with God as you ask Him...to help you ‘make sense’ of what you are reading here and what is He wanting to show you. The passages I suggest are found in Jer. 23:16-29; Lamentations 2:14-17; Ezek.13:1-17; 2 Tim. 4:1-4; 1 Thess. 5:1-9; & Isaiah 30:8-13. I know...a lot there...but it really is important for you to ‘see’ this. Peace to you.