II Chronicles
Chapter 10
Lessons from the Reign of King Jehoshaphat
Micaiah’s Man of God Marks
II Chronicles 18:7 “And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, by whom we may enquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he never prophesied good unto me, but always evil: the same is Micaiah the son of Imla. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.”
One Man
“…yet one man” – I have noticed that real men of God are different from ordinary other men. They are individuals and are different from each other, also. The reason is that God develops individuals. You would think that because they believe and are influenced by the same book (the Bible) that they would all think, dress, and act the same. This is just the opposite of the world. The worldly way that needs to be rejected, pushes conformity! They want you to think, dress, and act like them. While professing freedom of thought, they will not tolerate any thoughts or ideas that are not like theirs! The man of God is somewhat of a minority and a loner. A real man of God must learn to stand with God and God’s leadership, even if the whole world is against him!
The first ministry God allowed me to be part of after I got out of Bible Institute was teaching in a Christian school. It was during this time that I developed a love for teaching.
There were so many problems in the school, the church decided to close it down after one year. I remember that it was during this time that my major thought was, “ They didn’t teach me about this in Bible Institute!”
I thought God was really doing a work on the students and was heartbroken! As I read my Bible, God spoke to me out of several passages:
Ecclesiastes 10:4 “If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.”
I Timothy 1:3 “As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,”
Proverbs 28:1 “The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.”
I learned many things from these verses about the ministry and how a man of God is supposed to act. God was showing me that if I left, it would show that the reason the school failed was my fault. I know I was trying to love the Lord and do the best I could.
I promised those students that I was going to be there and would help them if I could. I stayed until all of them finished school somewhere else.
It is when things are going bad that people need help. When things are not going well is not when to leave. You may be the “yet one man” that makes the difference!
II Chronicles 18:7 “And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, by whom we may enquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he never prophesied good unto me, but always evil: the same is Micaiah the son of Imla. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.”
Hate Him
“…I hate him.” – The man of God must be ready to be hated by the rulers, and majority of prophets. Because of his negative message, they don’t seek his advice or friendship!
Negative Message
He has a negative message. His reputation was that he had a negative message. When a negative message is presented, many times it produces positive results. Unfortunately, this time, the message is rejected, and the judgement of God comes!
II Chronicles 18:17 “And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would not prophesy good unto me, but evil?”
Speaks God’s Message
Speaks what God tells him to say, not what people want to hear. A man of God spends his time developing the message God wants to be delivered.
II Chronicles 18:13 “And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, even what my God saith, that will I speak.”
Sarcastic Attitude
Notice Micaiah’s sarcastic attitude. Sarcasm is an important communication tool that helps to deliver God’s message! Men of God that I know have a sense of humor! Many people mistake sarcasm as uncaring. But it is not. It is a way to get someone’s attention.
II Chronicles 18:14, 15 “And when he was come to the king, the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And he said, Go ye up, and prosper, and they shall be delivered into your hand.
And the king said to him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou say nothing but the truth to me in the name of the LORD?”
Part of the delivery of the message was the way in which it is delivered. King Ahab recognized the sarcasm! A good man of God will use the tools that are needed to get the message across!
Further on in his message, he uses a story to show how God works. (II Chronicles 18:18-22)
Notice that the false prophet Zedekiah also had a good illustration and had 400 prophets in agreement with him!
II Chronicles 18:10, 11 “And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah had made him horns of iron, and said, Thus saith the LORD, With these thou shalt push Syria until they be consumed.”
“And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramothgilead, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the king.”
People will remember the good story that drives home the point being emphasized!
Obscurity
Micaiah was in obscurity until this moment, and he goes back into obscurity after this time. It may be possible that his whole life and training was to deliver this message in the important time in both nation’s histories. God may just be preparing you to deliver His message one time and then you are done! Generally, this is not the case. God calls a man to preach and develops him over time to deliver message after message, using him to change people’s lives over time. I have learned that teenagers need to be told and retold often because every day is new to them! His message is simple and stated in one verse:
II Chronicles 18:16 “Then he said, I did see all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master; let them return therefore every man to his house in peace.”
This is exactly what happens. Notice two things here. The message is aimed at Ahab, who is the king of Israel. The prophecy is that Israel will have no shepherd! Please don’t miss the second thing that is revealed that happens: “…let them return therefore every man to his house in peace.” This is what happens to Jehoshaphat!
II Chronicles 19:1 “And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem.”
Has Results
It is important to note that the results do not take away or add to the importance of the message. God is revealing to these kings what will happen if they go to war. What a blessing to know the future, if you change your actions! They don’t. A man of God will preach the word and leave the results with God! Often the man is the message. Part of the message that Micaiah delivered was himself standing up to the ungodly desires of king Jehoshaphat! He took the punishment for standing with God against evil!
The last we hear of Micaiah, he is punched in the mouth, and then put in prison and given bread and water.
II Chronicles 18:23-26 “Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near, and smote Micaiah upon the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of the LORD from me to speak unto thee?
And Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see on that day when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself.
Then the king of Israel said, Take ye Micaiah, and carry him back to Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king's son;
And say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I return in peace.”
We are never told what became of Micaiah. I do know that the faithful God we serve saw fit to put his exploits in this chapter of the Bible as an example to the man of God. I am sure that God has taken care of him!
Having rejected the preaching of God’s man, the kings go off to war and meet the disastrous results of their decision. King Ahab is wounded in battle and dies. His wickedness continues through his wife and descendants. God miraculously rescues king Jehoshaphat and gives him a second chance to be a good leader. Please read about the continuation of his great leadership success in the next lesson. Also, please learn from his mistake. These are written for our enlightenment. God would rather tell you beforehand to keep you out of trouble than to deliver you during the trouble. Although, he was delivered, he still reaped for what he sowed!
