"Your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing." - 2 Thessalonians 1:3b

Friday, June 29, 2012

I Kings 22 Seek Wise Counsel


by Jill and Paul  Ice

Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.
Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.
Proverbs 19:20-21

The book of Proverbs speaks many times to the subject of wise counsel.  The fool rejects counsel but the wise will hear and accept instruction.

In I Kings 22 we have a good example of a king that was more interested in hearing the affirmation of his own plans rather than the counsel of the Lord.

After hearing the prophecy of his own prophets (who tell him what he wants to hear), Ahab is asked by Jehoshaphat if there are any other prophets of whom to inquire the word of the Lord. Ahab’s response, “There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of the Lord, Micaiah the son of Imlah, but I hate him, for he never prophesies good concerning me.

Have you ever had that kind of spiritual leader in your life?  “I would ask his advice, but he usually tells me something I don’t want to hear.” (e.g. wise counsel)

Well Ahab doesn’t like the counsel of the Lord and here is the rest of the story.

Ahab then questions Micaiah, and insists that he speak nothing but the truth in the name of the Lord. Micaiah then gives a true prophecy that includes a message from the Lord that the other prophets’ predictions were a result of a lying spirit. As a result of Micaiah’s prophecy, Ahab ordered Micaiah to be imprisoned until Ahab returns from battle, unharmed (1 Kings 22:27).

Perhaps concerned with the prophecy, Ahab disguises himself in battle rather than lead his troops openly as their king. However, Ahab is killed in battle after being struck by a randomly shot arrow. Micaiah's prophecy was fulfilled, contrary to the word of 400 false prophets, all of whom encouraged Ahab to attack with a prediction of victory.

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.
Proverbs 12:15

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