PROPHETS SPEAKING LIES and How We Fall For It • Micaiah and Zedekiah | False Prophets in the Bible

Introduction

This Bible teaching from Founded in Truth Fellowship, delivered by Matthew Vander Els, explores the critical importance of discerning true from false prophecy by examining the biblical narrative found in 1 Kings 22. The passage recounts the story of King Ahab of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah seeking counsel from prophets before going to war against Aram to reclaim Ramath-Gilead. This historical account, the teaching emphasizes, is not merely a record of past events but a story intentionally crafted by biblical authors to impart profound lessons for believers today. It serves as a powerful reminder that not all who claim to speak for God genuinely do so, and understanding this distinction is crucial for navigating our own faith journeys.

The Story of Ahab, Jehoshaphat, and the Prophets

King Ahab, described as the worst king of Israel due to his embrace of idolatry and marriage to Jezebel, proposed joining forces with Jehoshaphat, a generally righteous king of Judah, to retake Ramath-Gilead from the king of Aram. Jehoshaphat, before agreeing to military action, wisely suggested that they should first “consult the Lord.” In response to this request, Ahab gathered approximately 400 prophets. These prophets, unlike the 400 prophets of Baal who famously opposed Elijah on Mount Carmel, claimed to speak on behalf of Yahweh, the God of Israel. Unanimously, they prophesied victory for Ahab and Jehoshaphat, confidently declaring that the Lord would deliver Ramath-Gilead into their hands.

However, Jehoshaphat remained uneasy despite the overwhelming consensus among these prophets. He inquired if there was not another prophet of the Lord from whom they could seek counsel. Ahab reluctantly admitted that there was one more, Micaiah the son of Imlah, but confessed his deep dislike for him, stating that Micaiah “never says anything that I want him to say” and that he therefore hated him. This admission reveals a critical flaw: Ahab’s preference for prophets was based not on their faithfulness to God’s word but on their willingness to affirm his own desires.

Despite his aversion, Ahab was persuaded to summon Micaiah. When the messenger approached Micaiah, he relayed the prevailing positive prophecies and urged Micaiah to conform to the consensus. Micaiah, however, declared that he would speak only what the Lord told him. Upon appearing before the kings, Micaiah initially echoed the positive prophecies, perhaps sarcastically. Ahab, sensing Micaiah’s insincerity, pressed him to speak truthfully in the name of the Lord.

In response, Micaiah shared a powerful vision of God’s throne room, where the Lord inquired how Ahab could be enticed to go into battle and meet his demise. A spirit came forward, offering to go and be a lying spirit in the mouths of all of Ahab’s prophets. God permitted this, revealing a complex aspect of divine sovereignty and judgment. Micaiah then prophesied that Ahab would die in battle and the Israelite army would be scattered like sheep without a shepherd.

Upon hearing this starkly contrasting prophecy, one of the 400 prophets, Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah, dramatically stepped forward. Zedekiah had made iron horns and declared, “Thus says the Lord: ‘With these you shall gore the Arameans until they are destroyed.'” He confidently presented a physical demonstration of victory, even referencing scriptural promises from Deuteronomy 33:17 concerning the strength of Joseph’s horns. Zedekiah then struck Micaiah, mocking him and questioning, “Which way did the spirit from the Lord go when he went from me to speak to you?” Micaiah responded that Zedekiah would find out when he was hiding in an inner room during the impending defeat.

Ignoring Micaiah’s warning, Ahab proceeded to battle, disguising himself while urging Jehoshaphat to wear his royal robes. This act of cowardice and manipulation further illustrates Ahab’s flawed character. As prophesied, Ahab was struck by a random arrow that found a gap in his armor, leading to his death. The Arameans had been instructed to target Ahab specifically, fulfilling Micaiah’s prophecy. The army of Israel scattered, just as Micaiah had foreseen.

The False Confidence of Zedekiah

The story of Zedekiah highlights the dangers of false confidence in proclaiming God’s will. Zedekiah was not hesitant or uncertain; he presented his prophecy with boldness and even used a physical prop to emphasize his point. He even drew upon scripture, referencing Deuteronomy 33:17, to bolster his claim. This demonstrates that simply quoting scripture or displaying outward confidence is not a guarantee of speaking God’s truth. Zedekiah’s error lay in his self-deception, convincing himself that he was the true mouthpiece of God, likely because his message aligned with what Ahab and the majority of the other prophets wanted to hear. His arrogance was evident in his physical assault on Micaiah and his dismissive question about the Spirit’s movement. His actions were driven by pride and a desire to be heard, rather than genuine communion with God.

The Truth Spoken by Micaiah

In stark contrast to Zedekiah and the 400 prophets, Micaiah remained steadfast in delivering the message he received from the Lord, even though it was unpopular and contradicted the prevailing sentiment. He was willing to face the consequences of speaking truth to power, even imprisonment and hardship. Micaiah’s integrity underscores the importance of humility and submission to God’s will, even when it differs from our own desires or the opinions of the majority.

Lessons for Today

This ancient story holds significant lessons for contemporary believers. We live in an age where many voices claim to speak for God, often with great confidence and appealing to scripture. Just as Ahab surrounded himself with prophets who told him what he wanted to hear, we too can be tempted to gravitate towards voices that validate our pre-existing beliefs and desires.

How We Fall For It

Several factors contribute to our susceptibility to false prophecy. Confidence sells. Individuals who speak with unwavering certainty can be persuasive, especially during times of uncertainty or fear. We often want to believe what is being said, particularly if it offers comfort, aligns with our political or nationalistic views, or promises a desired outcome.

The True Qualities of a Believer

• Complete humility and gentleness.
• Patience and bearing with one another in love.
• Making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
• Speaking the truth in love.

Conclusion

The story of Micaiah and Zedekiah serves as a timeless warning against the dangers of false prophecy and the allure of self-deception. It underscores the critical need for believers to cultivate discernment, prioritize humility and love, and remain steadfast in seeking God’s truth above their own desires.

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References

• 1 Kings 22
• Deuteronomy 33:17