Fri,’s Devo - The End of Ahab

Read 1 Kings 22:1-53, Acts 13:16-41, Ps. 138:1-8, Pr. 17:17-18 For the first time the king of Judah is visiting with the king of Israel in a peaceful meeting. They discuss the fact that Ramoth Gilead is part of their land but Aram has controlled it and they need to take it back. Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, agrees to help Ahab but first wants to ask the prophets if they will succeed. Ahab has found himself more false prophets after Elijah had his other ones killed. They all prophesied that they should go to war and that they would win. Jehosaphat asked if there might be a prophet of God they could ask. Ahab knows only one, Micaiah, and doesn’t like him because he never prophesies anything favorable to Ahab. Jehoshaphat rebuked him for dishonoring the prophet so they sent for him. Micaiah lied at first and agreed with the other prophets. Finally, he told the truth and prophesied defeat for the army and Ahab’s death if he went to war. Instead of heading the warning, they put Micaiah in prison and prepared for war. I think it would have been better for the kings not to have asked the prophet than to ask and not listen. It happened just like Micaiah said and a random arrow found the small crack in Ahab’s armor and he was killed. There is little good found in Ahab and his reign however Jehoshaphat walked in the ways of his father Asa who walked in the ways of God. He personally did what was right but he didn’t make sure his people honored God and allowed them to worship their gods with incense and sacrifices. His son Jehoram succeeded him as king over Judah and Ahaziah, son of Ahab, became king of Israel. In Acts, Saul is preaching in the synagogue and takes the people through their history as a nation. He preached Jesus crucified, buried and resurrected. He gave them the good news that now everyone can be justified. He told them they were watching the prophecies of the Old Testament be fulfilled. We are also seeing prophecy fulfilled before our eyes. We are definitely close to the end of time so God is doing amazing things. Lord, we want to be aware of the times we live in and participate with You.