TALE OF TWO PROPHETS – IS THIS HAPPENING TODAY?
© 2023 by Tom Boynton (editing by Kathy Boynton)
The children of Israel had previously owned vast lands the Lord had given them. The city of Ramothgilead had been selected as a city of refuge. As time passed, however, Israel was divided into two separate kingdoms called Judah and Israel. The gentile kingdom of Syria had taken over the area called Ramothgilead.
At this time, Israel was ruled by an extremely wicked king named Ahab. Judah was ruled by King Jehoshaphat who had a desire to follow the one true God. During the past three years, they had lived at peace with Syria. Now, wicked King Ahab wanted to conquer Ramothgilead currently under Syria’s control. He asked Jehoshaphat to join him in this conquest. Jehoshaphat asked Ahab to check whether this was really God’s will.
“…Enquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to day.” (1 Kings 22:5)
So wicked king Ahab gathered 400 wicked prophets, led by Zedekiah, to tell him what he wanted to hear.
“Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall I go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for the Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king.” (1 Kings 22:6)
Jehoshaphat, however, wanted to hear from a real prophet of God. Ahab responded,
“… There is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may enquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil…” (1 Kings 22:8)
Micaiah told King Ahab that God would destroy him in the battle. King Ahab commanded that Micaiah be put in prison until he got back from the battle. But King Ahab died in that battle as God’s true prophet, Micaiah, had prophesied. An arrow directed by God pierced him between the joints of his armor.
Today, as with Ahab’s false prophets, hundreds of self-appointed experts claim to “verify” truth. Few refer to God’s Word, the source of truth. If they did, they would stop promoting what God prohibits. His Word is still true. What He says goes!
“… So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11)
God’s Word tells us we are sinners needing salvation. It also tells us that God the Son, Jesus Christ died, and rose again, paying sin’s penalty to save all who trust Him.
“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” (John 3:36)
What source do you use to verify truth?
You may leave comments for Tom & Kathy (website administrators) below.