The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Chronicles 18:23,
"Then Zedekiah son of Kenaanah went up and slapped Micaiah in the face. 'Which way did the spirit from the Lord go when he went from me to speak to you?' he asked."
This exchange took place when King Jehoshaphat of Judah went up to see King Ahab of the northern tribes of Israel. Ahab had urged Jehoshaphat to join with him in a military venture (to attack the city of Ramoth Gilead). Jehoshaphat wanted to inquire of the Lord first, so Ahab (an ungodly king) had all of his fake prophets come to prophesy before the two of them. These prophets came and delivered their fake prophecies before the kings saying the kings would prevail, "'Go,' they answered, 'for God will give it into the king's hand.'" Verse 5b.
"Then Zedekiah son of Kenaanah went up and slapped Micaiah in the face. 'Which way did the spirit from the Lord go when he went from me to speak to you?' he asked."
This exchange took place when King Jehoshaphat of Judah went up to see King Ahab of the northern tribes of Israel. Ahab had urged Jehoshaphat to join with him in a military venture (to attack the city of Ramoth Gilead). Jehoshaphat wanted to inquire of the Lord first, so Ahab (an ungodly king) had all of his fake prophets come to prophesy before the two of them. These prophets came and delivered their fake prophecies before the kings saying the kings would prevail, "'Go,' they answered, 'for God will give it into the king's hand.'" Verse 5b.
When Jehoshaphat challenged Ahab over these fake prophets, Ahab relented and had a true prophet, Micaiah, brought in. When the true prophet Micaiah contradicted the false prophets, one of them, Zedekiah responded to Micaiah as we see in our verse above.
As I read the account I wonder if Zedekiah had any idea he was slapping a real prophet from the real God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. You see, when you don't know true spiritual things, you are unaware that others just might. You are limited to see beyond your own capacity. Since Zedekiah was a fake prophet, he didn't know the Lord, he didn't know true statements from the Lord, and I am quite sure he was entirely ignorant of the things of God.
It is from that perspective Zedekiah might have acted toward Micaiah. On the other hand, maybe he was aware of the things of God, but simply clung to his sin rather than turn to God. In any event, this is how the exchange went.
I also can't help but think of all the fake and false religions, their officials, their alleged "expert" theologians and fake doctrine they cling to today. It is all around us today. And, at times we are all treated to their fake stuff and I suspect many of them are really unaware that there is real truth, real revelation from the one true God - that has been revealed to others.
Talk about a wake-up call when they arrive in the next life!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
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Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
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