Monday, July 1, 2013

All Will Be Well, or Who Will Be a Lying Spirit?

It seems that telling the truth is the most dangerous occupation. People really don't like anything but good news. Those who tell bad news are shunned, all the way up to God himself. "Killing the Messenger," is an old saying about those who forecast bad news.

This is the situation described in I Kings 22. The subject is possible war between Israel and Syria. Doesn't that sound familiar?

Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, pledges his troops to fight with the king of Israel. About 400 prophets are consulted and they give assurance that Ramothgilead will be delivered to them by the hand of the Lord. Just to be sure though, another prophet is consulted.

Enter Micaiah, a man of truth. Opposed to him is the false prophet Zedikiah, who puts on a ridiculous performance with a set of iron horns he has made to demonstrate the coming victory over Syria.

The scene changes to a heavenly vision of the Lord and his host. God asks that a spirit go forth to deliver His message.

Now therefore, behold, the Lord hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the Lord hath spoken evil of thee, verse 23.

Micaiah is put in prison for prophesying defeat. Just as he said, Syria prevailed. Things remain the same. People demand good news, though it be false. Israel goes to war over Syria, and those who tell the truth are villified.

Could this also be true of those who say we are headed for trouble?

No comments:

Post a Comment