Seldom do we find one so bold as to stand for the Truth in the face of what could be certain death. Yet, there is a prophet of God that did just that. His name is Micaiah and his story is found in 1 Kings. 22.

When we look at this section of scripture, we see a person who stood, not before one, but before two kings who ruled over Israel and Judah, kings who had within their power the right of life and death.

Jehoshaphat of Judah and Ahab of Israel were discussing whether they should go and fight against Ramoth-Gilead. To help convince Jehoshaphat to go with him, Ahab calls his prophets together and asked what he should do. Of course, these paid men of the king all told him that he should go into battle and he would win a great victory. Jehoshaphat is not full convinced and asks if there is someone else they could ask.

Ahab reluctantly sends for one more prophet, a person he detests. Micaiah, the hated prophet, comes before the two kings and ends up telling them that they would lose the battle and Ahab would lose his life. It was the message Jehoshaphat wanted to hear, but that which Ahab did not want to hear.

As we think about these events going on, we see a prophet of God whom we should imitate in our lives. He told the truth regardless of any personal consequences that could come his way. This is even more impressive when we read that the messenger from the king had told Micaiah to tell Ahab what everyone else was telling him. Micaiah had been given the chance of saving his life by lying to the king (1 Kings. 22:13). Micaiah initially mocks king Ahab and his prophets by saying go right ahead! ! The king knew better and told Micaiah to say what he came to say. Micaiah gives the grim news and Ahab says to Jehoshaphat, "You see! He never prophesies anything but bad news!" Ahab should have listened to God's prophet. Micaiah was thrown into prison, but what he prophesied came true as king Ahab was killed in battle.

As we think about our lives, if we were faced with a similar situation, would we be faithful to God? We see so many today who compromise the truth so they will not "suffer" in this world. Under less dangerous circumstances so many yield to the pressures of the world to save their own lives.

Micaiah helps us to understand what we should do when asked to teach or do that which is contrary to God's will. His answer to the messenger of the king found in 1 Kings. 22:14 is what should be on the tongues of every Christian today - "As the Lord liveth, what the lord saith unto me, that will I speak". Micaiah was not going to give in at all. He was the prophet of God and God's message is what they would hear from him, whether popular or not.

This reminds me of the passage in 2 Tim. 4:2 where we are commanded to preach the word both in season and out of season, whether popular or not. Let us follow the example of Micaiah in our lives.

Eric