TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES

1 Kings 22:1–10 NLT

For three years there was no war between Aram and Israel. Then during the third year, King Jehoshaphat of Judah went to visit King Ahab of Israel. During the visit, the king of Israel said to his officials, “Do you realize that the town of Ramoth-gilead belongs to us? And yet we’ve done nothing to recapture it from the king of Aram!” Then he turned to Jehoshaphat and asked, “Will you join me in battle to recover Ramoth-gilead?” Jehoshaphat replied to the king of Israel, “Why, of course! You and I are as one. My troops are your troops, and my horses are your horses.” Then Jehoshaphat added, “But first let’s find out what the Lord says.” So the king of Israel summoned the prophets, about 400 of them, and asked them, “Should I go to war against Ramoth-gilead, or should I hold back?” They all replied, “Yes, go right ahead! The Lord will give the king victory.” But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there not also a prophet of the Lord here? We should ask him the same question.” The king of Israel replied to Jehoshaphat, “There is one more man who could consult the Lord for us, but I hate him. He never prophesies anything but trouble for me! His name is Micaiah son of Imlah.” Jehoshaphat replied, “That’s not the way a king should talk! Let’s hear what he has to say.” So the king of Israel called one of his officials and said, “Quick! Bring Micaiah son of Imlah.” King Ahab of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah, dressed in their royal robes, were sitting on thrones at the threshing floor near the gate of Samaria. All of Ahab’s prophets were prophesying there in front of them.

INTRODUCTION:

I. AN UNHOLY ALLIANCE (1 KINGS 22:1-4)

1 Kings 22:1–4 NLT

1 For three years there was no war between Aram and Israel. 2 Then during the third year, King Jehoshaphat of Judah went to visit King Ahab of Israel. 3 During the visit, the king of Israel said to his officials, “Do you realize that the town of Ramoth-gilead belongs to us? And yet we’ve done nothing to recapture it from the king of Aram!” 4 Then he turned to Jehoshaphat and asked, “Will you join me in battle to recover Ramoth-gilead?” Jehoshaphat replied to the king of Israel, “Why, of course! You and I are as one. My troops are your troops, and my horses are your horses.”

A. There is a temptation to make alliances with the enemies of god.

1. A common goal is not a good enough reason to form an alliance.

2. Why are unholy alliances wrong?

a. Because of an inescapable yoke.

(2 Corinthians 6:14)

2 Corinthians 6:14 NLT

14 Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness?

b. Because the methods of God’s enemies is unholy.

(Psalm 10:2-3)

Psalm 10:2–3 NLT

2 The wicked arrogantly hunt down the poor. Let them be caught in the evil they plan for others. 3 For they brag about their evil desires; they praise the greedy and curse the Lord.

(1 Thessalonians 5:18-22)

1 Thessalonians 5:18–22 NLT

18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 19 Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. 20 Do not scoff at prophecies, 21 but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. 22 Stay away from every kind of evil.

c. Because such alliances lead us down a dangerous path.

(Psalm 1:1)

Psalm 1:1 NLT

1 Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.

(James 1:15)

James 1:15 NLT

15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.

B. There are scriptural commands to stay away from such allowances.

1. Do not conform to the world and its ways.

(Romans 12:1-2)

Romans 12:1–2 NLT

1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

2. Good morals are corrupted by evil companions.

(1 Corinthians 15:33)

1 Corinthians 15:33 NLT

33 Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for “bad company corrupts good character.”

3. Solomon is a prime example.

a. His heart was corrupted by some of his pagan wives.

II. AN UNHEALTHY ATTITUDE (1 KINGS 22:5-18)

1 Kings 22:5–18 NLT

5 Then Jehoshaphat added, “But first let’s find out what the Lord says.” 6 So the king of Israel summoned the prophets, about 400 of them, and asked them, “Should I go to war against Ramoth-gilead, or should I hold back?” They all replied, “Yes, go right ahead! The Lord will give the king victory.” 7 But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there not also a prophet of the Lord here? We should ask him the same question.” 8 The king of Israel replied to Jehoshaphat, “There is one more man who could consult the Lord for us, but I hate him. He never prophesies anything but trouble for me! His name is Micaiah son of Imlah.” Jehoshaphat replied, “That’s not the way a king should talk! Let’s hear what he has to say.” 9 So the king of Israel called one of his officials and said, “Quick! Bring Micaiah son of Imlah.” 10 King Ahab of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah, dressed in their royal robes, were sitting on thrones at the threshing floor near the gate of Samaria. All of Ahab’s prophets were prophesying there in front of them. 11 One of them, Zedekiah son of Kenaanah, made some iron horns and proclaimed, “This is what the Lord says: With these horns you will gore the Arameans to death!” 12 All the other prophets agreed. “Yes,” they said, “go up to Ramoth-gilead and be victorious, for the Lord will give the king victory!” 13 Meanwhile, the messenger who went to get Micaiah said to him, “Look, all the prophets are promising victory for the king. Be sure that you agree with them and promise success.” 14 But Micaiah replied, “As surely as the Lord lives, I will say only what the Lord tells me to say.” 15 When Micaiah arrived before the king, Ahab asked him, “Micaiah, should we go to war against Ramoth-gilead, or should we hold back?” Micaiah replied sarcastically, “Yes, go up and be victorious, for the Lord will give the king victory!” 16 But the king replied sharply, “How many times must I demand that you speak only the truth to me when you speak for the Lord?” 17 Then Micaiah told him, “In a vision I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, like sheep without a shepherd. And the Lord said, ‘Their master has been killed. Send them home in peace.’ ” 18 “Didn’t I tell you?” the king of Israel exclaimed to Jehoshaphat. “He never prophesies anything but trouble for me.”

A. Contrasting attitudes:

1. The attitude of the righteous man.

(1 Kings 22:5)

1 Kings 22:5 NLT

5 Then Jehoshaphat added, “But first let’s find out what the Lord says.”

(Psalm 1:1-2)

Psalm 1:1–2 NLT

1 Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. 2 But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night.

a. Desires to hear what God says.

b. Desires to follow God’s instructions.

c. Encourages others to be open to God’s Word.

2. The attitude of the unrighteousness man.

(1 Kings 22:6-8, 16-18)

1 Kings 22:6–8 NLT

6 So the king of Israel summoned the prophets, about 400 of them, and asked them, “Should I go to war against Ramoth-gilead, or should I hold back?” They all replied, “Yes, go right ahead! The Lord will give the king victory.” 7 But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there not also a prophet of the Lord here? We should ask him the same question.” 8 The king of Israel replied to Jehoshaphat, “There is one more man who could consult the Lord for us, but I hate him. He never prophesies anything but trouble for me! His name is Micaiah son of Imlah.” Jehoshaphat replied, “That’s not the way a king should talk! Let’s hear what he has to say.”

1 Kings 22:16–18 NLT

16 But the king replied sharply, “How many times must I demand that you speak only the truth to me when you speak for the Lord?” 17 Then Micaiah told him, “In a vision I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, like sheep without a shepherd. And the Lord said, ‘Their master has been killed. Send them home in peace.’ ” 18 “Didn’t I tell you?” the king of Israel exclaimed to Jehoshaphat. “He never prophesies anything but trouble for me.”

a. Despises God’s truth.

b. Pretends to want to hear God’s word, but rejects it.

B. Compromise with unrighteousness is to court disaster.

1. Jehoshaphat’s compromise with Ahab is going to lead Jehoshaphat and his troops into disaster.

2. Joshua made an alliance with the unholy Gibeonites because he did not seek God about it.

III. AN UNTRUTHFUL ADVISOR (1 KINGS 22:19-25)

1 Kings 22:19–25 NLT

19 Then Micaiah continued, “Listen to what the Lord says! I saw the Lord sitting on his throne with all the armies of heaven around him, on his right and on his left. 20 And the Lord said, ‘Who can entice Ahab to go into battle against Ramoth-gilead so he can be killed?’ “There were many suggestions, 21 and finally a spirit approached the Lord and said, ‘I can do it!’ 22 “ ‘How will you do this?’ the Lord asked. “And the spirit replied, ‘I will go out and inspire all of Ahab’s prophets to speak lies.’ “ ‘You will succeed,’ said the Lord. ‘Go ahead and do it.’ 23 “So you see, the Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouths of all your prophets. For the Lord has pronounced your doom.” 24 Then Zedekiah son of Kenaanah walked up to Micaiah and slapped him across the face. “Since when did the Spirit of the Lord leave me to speak to you?” he demanded. 25 And Micaiah replied, “You will find out soon enough when you are trying to hide in some secret room!”

A. Beware of anyone who blesses those who reject Godly counsel! (1 Kings 22:6, 10-12)

1 Kings 22:6 NLT

6 So the king of Israel summoned the prophets, about 400 of them, and asked them, “Should I go to war against Ramoth-gilead, or should I hold back?” They all replied, “Yes, go right ahead! The Lord will give the king victory.”

1 Kings 22:10–12 NLT

10 King Ahab of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah, dressed in their royal robes, were sitting on thrones at the threshing floor near the gate of Samaria. All of Ahab’s prophets were prophesying there in front of them. 11 One of them, Zedekiah son of Kenaanah, made some iron horns and proclaimed, “This is what the Lord says: With these horns you will gore the Arameans to death!” 12 All the other prophets agreed. “Yes,” they said, “go up to Ramoth-gilead and be victorious, for the Lord will give the king victory!”

1. Ahab rejected godly counsel, yet was blessed by his false prophets.

2. God will never bless those who reject Him and His word.

(Matthew 5:18)

Matthew 5:18 NLT

18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved.

(Revelation 22:18-19)

Revelation 22:18–19 NLT

18 And I solemnly declare to everyone who hears the words of prophecy written in this book: If anyone adds anything to what is written here, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book. 19 And if anyone removes any of the words from this book of prophecy, God will remove that person’s share in the tree of life and in the holy city that are described in this book.

B. Beware of ungodly counsel.

1. If the counsel does not agree with the clear teachings of scripture, it is not of God.

2. If the counsel contradicts specific scriptural directions already received, go back to your “burning bush.”

a. Moses: The counsel of Israelite leaders who wanted to return to Egypt contradicted God’s call to Moses at the burning bush.

IV. AN INESCAPABLE FATE (1 KINGS 22:26-38)

A. The path of rebellion against God is dangerous. (1 Kings 22:26, 34-35)

1 Kings 22:26 NLT

26 “Arrest him!” the king of Israel ordered. “Take him back to Amon, the governor of the city, and to my son Joash.

1 Kings 22:34–35 NLT

34 An Aramean soldier, however, randomly shot an arrow at the Israelite troops and hit the king of Israel between the joints of his armor. “Turn the horses and get me out of here!” Ahab groaned to the driver of his chariot. “I’m badly wounded!” 35 The battle raged all that day, and the king remained propped up in his chariot facing the Arameans. The blood from his wound ran down to the floor of his chariot, and as evening arrived he died.

1. Rebellion always leads to judgment.

(Hebrews 9:27)

Hebrews 9:27 NLT

27 And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment,

(Hebrews 10:26-27)

Hebrews 10:26–27 NLT

26 Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins. 27 There is only the terrible expectation of God’s judgment and the raging fire that will consume his enemies.

2. Continuing in rebellion without repentance guarantees judgment.

(Luke 13:3,5)

Luke 13:3 NLT

3 Not at all! And you will perish, too, unless you repent of your sins and turn to God.

Luke 13:5 NLT

5 No, and I tell you again that unless you repent, you will perish, too.”

B. Supporting rebellion is also dangerous. (1 Kings 22:30-33)

1 Kings 22:30–33 NLT

30 The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “As we go into battle, I will disguise myself so no one will recognize me, but you wear your royal robes.” So the king of Israel disguised himself, and they went into battle. 31 Meanwhile, the king of Aram had issued these orders to his thirty-two chariot commanders: “Attack only the king of Israel. Don’t bother with anyone else!” 32 So when the Aramean chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat in his royal robes, they went after him. “There is the king of Israel!” they shouted. But when Jehoshaphat called out, 33 the chariot commanders realized he was not the king of Israel, and they stopped chasing him.

1. T give support to rebellious people puts you at risk.

a. It identifies you with the rebellion.

b. God views support of rebellion as serious.

(Romans 1:31)

Romans 1:31 NLT

31 They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy.

CONCLUSION: