The Lord will de-mask the disguised, so we learn in Ahab’s attempted conquest for Ramoth-Gilead. In 1 Kings 22, Ahab, King of Israel, had orchestrated an attempt to regain the land he deemed as his own. With the aid of Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, and about 400 prophets, Ahab became emboldened. While the voice of Jehoshaphat declared that they inquire from the Lord (v. 5), Ahab’s preference remained upon his men. In fact, unsatisfied with the prophecy of the near 400, Jehoshaphat further sought the voice of God, “Is there not here another prophet of the LORD of whom we may inquire?” Now, insert the voice of God channeled through the medium of Micaiah the prophet – a man hated because of his unfavorable prophecies (v.8). Fast forward to verse 37, Ahab has died in battle. What was said? In unison with the 400, Micaiah would affirm, “Go up and triumph; the LORD will give it into the hand of the king.” In contrast with the 400, Micaiah would affirm the loss of a shepherd, a king (v. 17), and the presence of a lying spirit, one permitted to entice Ahab toward his demise (v. 23). To Ahab these final words were made, “If you return in peace, the LORD has not spoken by me… (v. 28).”
The prophecy of Micaiah reigned as truth—the 400 and alleged friend of Ahab, Zedekiah, were exposed as liars. An obvious lesson from Ahab’s death is that what the Lord declares will come to pass. But what more can we learn?
First, the Word of God cannot be bound. Paul reminds us of this (2 Tim 2:9). He wrote to a young evangelist who stood at the crossroads of faithfulness and fleeing. Similarly, we see Micaiah placed at those crossroads. Micaiah had two options: speak a lie and be spared, or speak the truth and endure the consequences. As a man with a genuine appreciation for God as the judge to whom he must give account and the King to whom he must give homage, Micaiah found himself sharing what was a message of death and destruction to his hurt – being cast into prison with meager rations until Ahab returned. Like Paul, he was in chains. Like Paul, he had an option – deny your statements and be released. Yet, with the knowledge of Ahab’s death and the fact that he would not return in peace, he continued steadfastly – even if such a stance implied he would remain in prison the rest of his days under such conditions.
Second, the Lord will de-mask the disguised. Ahab understood the implications of Micaiah’s prophesy. Instead of deferring to God, he sought to work around Him. He went into battle disguised as an ordinary soldier but died as a king. It was not by chance that a stray arrow struck him but by the Word of the Lord. Though I recognize how costly the payment for sin is, I find comfort in this fact – authenticity reigns. When it comes to the kings of the divided kingdom, only one was truly a king – God marked that in the death of Ahab. When it comes to those occupying pulpits, the time of accounting will be at hand. The peddlers of the gospel will be gathered like weeds (Matt. 13:30). Those who have tried to mask their sins will be parted to the left (Matt. 25:41). Those who have died with Him and endured with Him will live with Him and reign with Him (2 Tim. 2:11-12). Those who embody authenticity will be as pillars in His temple (Rev. 3:12) – Permanent.
Third, the righteous are bold. Proverbs 28:1 reminds us, “The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.” Micaiah will forever stand as an ensign of boldness among the people of God. What can be said of the man who “boldly” struck the mouthpiece of God, Zedekiah? Seeing as the rest of Micaiah’s prophecies came to pass, I imagine the prophecy concerning Zedekiah did as well, “…you go into an inner chamber to hide yourself (v. 25).” Will we have a bold spirit like Micaiah, speaking the Word of God despite unpopularity, consequences, and threats? Or, will we embody weakness like Zedekiah and seek to save our lives? “Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it” (Luke 17:33).
Micaiah serves us as a hallmark of service unto God. Service which does not permit wish-washy stances and statements. Service which does not get carried about by seeing to our self-interests. Service which is carried about through steadfastness and endurance. “Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. (2 Tim. 2:3-4)”