Articles
Important Questions - 18
“Is there not still a prophet of the Lord here, that we may inquire of Him?” (1 Kings 22:7)
This is a question posed by Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, to Ahab, king of Israel, in consultation over going to war against Syria. Jehoshaphat suggested that God’s will be sought (22:5), but Ahab and his Sidonian wife, Jezebel, had almost annihilated all the prophets of God. But four hundred so-called prophets, yes-men of Ahab, gathered to approve the attack. To his credit, Jehoshaphat knew these men are bogus and asked for a true pro-phet to speak. Only one is found, Micaiah, and he declares the mission doomed and accurately prophesies Ahab’s death.
All of which leads to the question: Why was King Jehoshaphat allied with Ahab in the first place? This is what God wants to know: “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? Therefore the wrath of the Lord is upon you” (2 Chron-icles 19:2). Jehoshaphat’s foolishness nearly cost him his life.
Sometimes there is a fine line between being friends with the wayward to influence them for good and participating with them in their evil. Jesus, of course, walked this line effectively, a physician to the sick (Mt 9:12). Let us reach out in compassion to the lost but not seek their approval or share in their sins.
