The preacher with a reputation for the prophetic calls the man forward. He begins to prophesy to the congregation that "thus saith the Lord" this man is called and anointed to be the pastor of this assembly. A brand new bottle of olive oil sits perched on the pulpit. The evangelist opens the bottle and pours its entire contents upon the man who has been declared the pastor of the church until the bottle is empty. The newly declared pastor falls to the floor speaking in tongues.
The following Sunday a business meeting has been scheduled. The purpose is to elect a new pastor. The anointed man is elected by a majority. He has now become the new pastor.
If the man is called of God to pastor this assembly, then time will prove the prophet a prophet. Time will prove the favor of God and the anointing will be apparent. However, if the man became the pastor by the will of man and the arm of the flesh, time will bear this out as well. The prophet will be exposed as a false one, and the supposed anointing will be worth no more than the price paid for the bottle of oil: $7.98.
Ahab asked Jehoshaphat in
I Kings 22 if he would ally with him in war against the king of Syria. Jehoshaphat, a descendant of David had enough of a conscience to request that the king of Isreal enquire of the Lord before going to battle. So Ahab assembled 400 prophets to prophesy concerning the proposed battle. The word of the Lord that they declared was to "go up for the Lord will deliver it into the hand of the king."
Jehoshaphat knew a true prophet when he saw one. He could see that these prophets were "hired guns", men who for political gain and some shekels would declare anything to the king that he wanted to hear. So he asked "Is there not a prophet of the Lord here that we may enquire of him?" Ahab responded, "There is one, but I hate him because he never prophesies good concerning me, only evil!" Jehoshaphat ordered to fetch the man.
Zedekiah, one of the 400, made a show before the people with two iron horns and declared, "Thus says the Lord: 'With these you shall gore the Syrians until they are destroyed.'" All the other prophets prophesied so, saying, "Go up to Ramoth Gilead and prosper, for the Lord will deliver it into the king's hand."
As they were summoning Micaiah, the true prophet of God, the messenger who called him made it clear, "Listen, the prophets are all speaking with one voice. Make sure to speak words of encouragment to the king." Micaiah assured him he would speak whatever God would tell him.
Standing before the king, Micaiah echoed the words of the 400 prophets. It might have been his delivery. It might of been in the tone of his voice. It might have been the fact that Micaiah NEVER spoke the same words that the 400 spoke. Whatever the case, King Ahab knew that Micaiah was not speaking what God had told him. Ahab demanded, "Tell me the truth!"
Micaiah spoke differently this time. His shoulders squared, he cleared his throat. "I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd. And the Lord said, 'These have no master. Let each return to his house in peace.'" And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "Did I not tell you he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?"
Then Micaiah said, “Therefore hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing by, on His right hand and on His left. And the Lord said, ‘Who will persuade Ahab to go up, that he may fall at Ramoth Gilead?’ So one spoke in this manner, and another spoke in that manner. Then a spirit came forward and stood before the Lord, and said, ‘I will persuade him.’ The Lord said to him, ‘In what way?’ So he said, ‘I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ And the Lord said, ‘You shall persuade him, and also prevail. Go out and do so.’ Therefore look! The Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these prophets of yours, and the Lord has declared disaster against you.”
Since Ahab wanted to be deceived, God accommodated him.
Micaiah was smitten, bound and thrown in prison. Ahab went to battle in disguise believing he could act any way he wanted without consequence. The Bible says that a Syrian drew his bow "at random" and just happened to strike Ahab between the joints of his armor. Mortally wounded, Ahab instructed his driver to turn back from the battle. Arriving at his royal palace made of ivory, Ahab bled to death and died. His blood covered chariot was washed near one of the public pools and the "dogs licked up his blood, while the harlots bathed."
Man of God, beware of the voices of 400 that declare what you wish to hear. Child of God, beware of the prophet who makes a show before the people to declare "thus saith the Lord" and instructs you to "go up, for the Lord has delivered it into your hands". Christian, beware of the prophet for hire, for he may be prophesying under the influence of a lying spirit.
Son of God, listen to the lone voice, the contrary voice that speaks painful words, but words that are true, accurate and from the throne of glory. Friend, humble yourself before the Lord because He resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.
Ahab wanted Naboth's vineyard, he felt entitled to it, and he got it. In the end, it was very small profit for the dear price that Ahab had to pay.
We are entitled nothing. We deserve nothing. We are not owed anything. We are called to be faithful, submitted and contrite. When we feel we are kings who can ignore the Word of the Lord, we are in grave danger.
Pray for the will of the Lord. Pray for a conscience. Pray for God's timing. Pray for those in authority over you. Pray that you will be found faithful. And pray for a true anointing, not a $7.98 one.
Linear Mode
