THE WAY TO GO

READING: 1 KINGS 22:6-14

Verse 8: “So the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “There is still one man, Micaiah the don of Imlah, by whom we may inquire of the Lord; but I hate him, because he does not prophesy good concerning me, but evil...’”

Micaiah honestly and truthfully spoke as the Lord appointed him to do. The king had 400 other prophets who told him exactly what he wanted to hear. Micaiah told him the word of the Lord even when it was displeasing. He faithfully told the king what the king needed to hear. How little things have changed since that time. People still consistently choose to select what they want to hear, rather than to receive the truth of God that they need to hear. Why is that? The prevalence of that reality indicates that some examination is needed. It isn’t necessary to go very far for such an examination. The needed conclusion is provided in verse 35 of this very same chapter of scripture. The king’s choice of what he wanted to hear lead ultimately to his death. What a person wants hear can destroy them. The Bible instructs us the alternative that is available to God’s people. What a person needs to hear can produce life instead of death. According to Deuteronomy 30:19, we can choose life. That is what needs to be heard. What was true for the king in that day, is true for the children of the King today. The Lord saves by providing what we need to hear. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. Do you know of someone in our time who is hated because he does not speak in the manner others want to hear?

2. Do you expect to ever need to speak unpopular truths?