THE TRUE PROPHET OF GOD (PART 1) - THE TRUE PROPHET OF GOD IS UNWAVERING IN SPEAKING THE TRUTH

Dear Members in Christ,                                                                                                                   

The true prophet of God (Part 1) - The True Prophet of God is unwavering in speaking the truth

What does it mean when someone says, “This preacher is a faithful servant of God”? Or what does it mean if we were to hear of a certain minister that, “he is faithful to the truth of God’s Word”? Today’s article is an example of how a true servant of God unwaveringly speaks the truth of God’s Word. This man is the Prophet Micaiah, of whom it is recorded,

“And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, what the LORD saith unto me, that will I speak.” 1 King 22:14

This man who is a true and faithful prophet of God spoke before kings, and he was unafraid to speak the truth. In a previous article, we examined this passage in the light of the compromising King Jehoshaphat. The compromising King Jehoshaphat was invited by King Ahab the idolatrous king of the Northern kingdom to attack the Syrians. This alliance with King Ahab was about to set off to battle the Syrians. As it was the custom in those days, kings would consult a prophet or seer to help them determine the outcome of the battle.

The evil King Ahab had assembled four hundred prophets of Baal to give their prognosis. No surprise at all, all four hundred false prophets of Ahab had prophesied success for the Alliance. However, Jehoshaphat, was unconvinced by the false prophets of King Ahab. He called for a true prophet of the Lord.  

A. The opposition – a false prophet called Zedekiah promises victory

During this drama of prophetic proclamations before both kings at the Samarian gate, a spectacular display was prepared by a false prophet called Zedekiah. The name Zedekiah means “righteousness of God” or “Justice of God”. But what he spouted forth was neither righteous nor just. The Bible records his dramatic act in these words,

“And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him horns of iron: and he said, Thus saith the LORD, With these shalt thou push the Syrians, until thou have consumed them. And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramoth-gilead, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the king's hand.” 1 King 22:11, 12

By using horns of iron which were fabricated at some great cost for visual effect, Zedekiah plan to carry a message of power and victory to the Jehoshaphat-Ahab alliance. The falseness of their message was that “the Lord” was going to prosper their military expedition. This falsehood will lead many to their death. There are like false ministers who preach a false gospel, or a diluted gospel, easy on the ears, but deadly to the lives of the hearers.

Dearly beloved, do not be easily swayed by the wiles of the evil one. Spectacular displays of lighting, emotional music, and so-called “dynamic” speakers in some fallen churches are able to draw many into the fold of deception. Like Zedekiah, they may promise prosperity, good health and wealth to the hearer. But unlike Micaiah, their message is not true to the Word of God. They speak a message soothing to the ears, warming to the foolish heart, but it is not a message which brings true salvation to the hearers.

B. The true prophet of God speaks the truth without fear or favour

Watch now how the true prophet of God responds when asked to speak the Word of God. Before anything happens, a messenger was sent to Micaiah to prompt him to prophesy in agreement with the four hundred false prophets. This is an ancient rendition of a modern day practice of “prepping the witness”. The idea is in its most basic form to “tell the teller what to tell”.

“And the messenger that was gone to call Micaiah spake unto him, saying, Behold now, the words of the prophets declare good unto the king with one mouth: let thy word, I pray thee, be like the word of one of them, and speak that which is good. And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, what the LORD saith unto me, that will I speak.” 1 Kings 22:13,14

The instruction to Micaiah was to prophesy “with one mouth” just as the four hundred false prophets have spoken. But, Micaiah’s response was firm and uncompromising “As the LORD liveth, what the LORD saith unto me, that will I speak.” His was a message of doom for the Ahab and his allies. The battle will end in disaster and their troops will be scattered. “And he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master: let them return every man to his house in peace.” 1 Kings 22:17.

When Micaiah the true minister of God declared “As the Lord liveth”, he was swearing an oath, that he will speak nothing but the truth that God has revealed to him. The message he delivered is hard and abrasive, but it is godly instruction that will bring deliverance instead of death. 

Brothers and sisters, let us be discerning in our hearing. Many willingly surf the internet for sermons and online lessons that are “inspirational” or “uplifting”, but little do they know that some of these sermons are coupled with falsehood and half-truths. Some of these sermons are nothing more than “positive thinking” slogans that are sprinkled with Bible verses (often out of context) for an appearance validity. Dearly beloved, let us be spiritually discerning, test every doctrine against the Scriptures. As John the Apostle exhorts, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1.

May God guide us in our study of His Word, and in our spiritual growth. Amen.

In His Service,
Rev. Lim Seh Beng, Pastor