1 Kings 22 discussion...

[jw]

18 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would prophesy no good concerning me, but evil? 19 And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left. 20 And the LORD said, Who shall persuadec Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner. 21 And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will persuade him. 22 And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so. 23 Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee.

Trying to work through this one, would appreciate some feedback/comments/alternate opinions.

This is my take thus far..
Ahab and Jehoshaphat are trying to decide if they should go to war or not. Ahab calls for his 400 "prophets" and they all agree tell him that they will be victorious in battle, especially Skippy (aka Zedekiah) running around the room with horns on. The false prophets claim to be from the LORD (because they use phrases like, "the LORD will deliever them into your hand"), but Jehoshaphat obviously see's through it, and asks if there is a prophet of the LORD they might ask.

So Micaiah is summoned to Ahab and Jehoshaphat to give advice. He parrots back exactly what the false prophets are saying, obviously mocking them, sending King Ahab into another hissy fit (This is the same guy who pouted in the corner and wouldn't eat in the last chapter just because a guy wouldnt' sell him his vineyard). So Micaiah let's him have it, and tells him they will fail if they go to war.

Now the above quote comes in (This is where I'd like some advice). Ahab whines like the little woman he is, and Micaiah tells the story about seeing God on the throne in heaven. My guess is this too is sarcasm. He looks around the circus going on in the room and the kings standing there seriously considering the nonsense. He recreates a similar seen in heaven, with the Lord calling together a counsil on how to destroy Ahab (as if the Almighty needed advice).

Does that sound reasonable? Anyone have a better suggestion?

The moral of the story is obvious... not only is sarcasm funny, it's biblical.

 

[Bluefalcon]

No, I happen to think the LORD actually sent a lying spirit, as the narrative seems to play out quite literally. If this presents an ethical problem for anyone, I'm willing to discuss it.

 

[Watchman]

Originally posted by Bluefalcon:
No, I happen to think the LORD actually sent a lying spirit, as the narrative seems to play out quite literally. If this presents an ethical problem for anyone, I'm willing to discuss it.

Agree. God can make even His enemies serve Him.

 

[jw]

Originally posted by Bluefalcon:
No, I happen to think the LORD actually sent a lying spirit, as the narrative seems to play out quite literally. If this presents an ethical problem for anyone, I'm willing to discuss it.

Is it a matter of God endorsing a lie, or allowing a lie?
And why would God call a counsil (or actually I believe the language used implies something like "armies") to ask what should be done to goad Ahab into going to fight?

Thanks for your responses.

 

[Helen]

jw, the epistle to the Romans reminds us that those who refuse the truth, those who suppress it, will be given over to the Lie. So, yes, God will allow a lie when that is what the people prefer.

 

[PastorSBC1303]

God's ways are not our ways.

We must let God be God, even when what He does and How He leads does not make sense.

 

[just-want-peace]

We must let God be God--

One of the best sermons I ever heard was titled "Let God be God"

There seems to be a lot of confusion over the fact that God can either "ORDAIN" OR "ALLOW".

We can proclaim for certain that ANYTHING that happens, God allows. Probably in most cases we CANNOT determine if God ordained.

Rom 1:28 And even as they refused to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up unto a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting;--

A classic example of God ALLOWING as opposed to ORDAINING!

 

[jw]

Originally posted by Helen:
jw, the epistle to the Romans reminds us that those who refuse the truth, those who suppress it, will be given over to the Lie. So, yes, God will allow a lie when that is what the people prefer.

That would make good sense in the context. Ahab obviously knew these were false prophets and chose to believe them over God's true prophet, Micaiah. He only reluctantly allowed him to speak because Jehshophat asked for him.

Thanks for the input.

 

[robycop3]

Remember, the demons are at Jesus' command...they MUST obey Him. When He commanded a gang of demons to leave the man in the cemetery, they HAD to leave him. They desired to then enter a herd of pigs, but since Jesus was in their presence, they had to obtain His permission. We should beware of the demons; Scripture doesn't say what became of them after the herd of pigs drowned. However, JESUS can still order'em about. Unlike many people, they believe in Him...and tremble.

As for Ahab's prophets...they had to already have been unrighteous liars for the lying spirit to have entered them. A lying spirit cannot enter one wearing God's armor, nor would God send them to do so.