DEVOTIONAL

In the passage today, Syria challenges the presence and power of the God of Israel. As King Ahab of Israel relishes in the victory over Syria twice, Ahab has all the reason to draw close to God. We see him take a rollercoaster ride with his pride steering back and forth between worshipping idols and worshipping God. By the time the rollercoaster stops, does Ahab find authentic faith in God or does his pride lead to destruction? Buckle up, we are about to find out.

The first incline on the ride, God gives victory to Israel over Ben-hadad the king of Syria. Things are off to a great start even though I feel like 1 Kings 20:11 is Ahab baiting Ben-hadad when he says, “let not him who straps on his armor boast himself as he who takes it off.” Do not get ahead of yourself to celebrate victory before the battle has begun. Is this really from God or Ahab’s prideful heart? I am not sure. Even so, what happens is Syria confidently rejects the presence and power of the God of Israel and God is about to show up to prove them wrong. Visualize with me the numbers of the Syrian army against Israel in 1 Kings 20:26-30. Israel is the size of two little flocks of goats. And Syria? They fill the country. This translates to a handful going up against the masses. Remember, God is with the handful. And He wins. Every. Single. Time. The first victory over Syria declares to all nations that the God of Israel is, in fact, the God of the hills and the valleys. He is not limited. Isn’t it funny how God knows me so well to repeat a lesson over and over because He knows I am forgetful? A few chapters back, we read how God sent down fire to burn up the sacrifice, altar, and lick up the water in the trench to testify God is not limited like Baal. And here, God does it again in the battle with Syria.

Q: How many times do I limit God by the prayers I pray? God cannot possibly make a way here, or heal this person, or provide enough for this need. I waste God’s time when I pray for the one thing that feels central in my life. What if we silenced these lies by asking God for one “big” prayer to answer in the next year?

Following the second victory over Syria, the ride takes a nosedive with a surprising turn. Pick up with me in 1 Kings 21. It is interesting to me in verse 25 how elaborate the author describes the character of King Ahab for us. He is very evil in the eyes of God and worships idols in an aggressive way against God. Also, Ahab leads Israel to sin against God and is heavily influenced by his manipulative wife, Jezebel. My initial reaction is frustration and feeling let down to read the mercy of God on Ahab in 1 Kings 21:27-29.

Have you noticed how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself, I will not bring this disaster in his day,

1 Kings 21:29

God’s mercy is greater than His anger toward Ahab. God chooses not to destroy Ahab in this moment. The burning need for justice inside of me screams “why”? I do not understand why God forgives someone as horrible as Ahab, but it is God’s mercy to decide what to do with it based on Matthew 20:15 which says, “Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?” I am stopped in my tracks when I ponder the depth of what this really means about God and for us.

After the surprising turn upward, it is not long before the rollercoaster runs off the tracks to crash and burn. Ahab rebels one more time against God and the promise of God is fulfilled when Ahab bleeds out in a chariot because of Ahab’s greed to take over Ramoth-gilead without the blessing of God. How did Ahab get there? Let’s fill in the story between God’s mercy in 21:29 to Ahab’s destruction in 22:37-38. After King Ahab repents for what he did with Naboth’s vineyard, greed surfaces again in the form of Ramoth-gilead. It is a strategically placed city for trade between the Red Sea and Damascus. The city technically belongs to Israel, but has been claimed by Syria for years. What’s my first question? Why does this just now bother King Ahab? Is he grabbing at straws because there is something deeper going on inside of his heart he wants to avoid? I could possibly be speaking from experience. The scene in 1 Kings 22 is much more intense than what plays out in my life when I strive for approval or affirmation or explore other avenues to fill the gaps where I feel less than. Maybe you can relate too.

As Ahab pulls Jehoshaphat king of Judah into his scheme to take Ramoth-gilead from Syria, I love the response of Jehoshaphat. Next time, we will look closer at King Jehoshaphat, but for the context of today’s passage what is important to know is Jehoshaphat follows God and leads Judah to worship God. Therefore, Ahab and Jehoshaphat are like mixing oil and vinegar in my mind. In 1 Kings 22:5-6 Jehoshaphat tells Ahab to ask God first whether it is the right thing to do before they act. Ahab tries his best to rush through the formality of asking God as he gathers the prophets he knows are in his corner. These prophets affirm what Ahab wants to hear every single time. No real devotion to God, but fully devoted to Ahab. Does Jehoshaphat know this? Because he challenges Ahab in 1 Kings 22:7, “is there not here another prophet of the Lord of whom we may inquire?” I can see the steam come out of Ahab’s ears. Look, I fulfilled your first ask and the prophets said in unison without blinking, yes go for it. Why do we need a second opinion?

As I read the exchange with Micaiah the prophet of God and King Ahab, I laugh because sometimes similar situations happen in my life. When I have a decision to make and the obvious “right” choice is not what I really want, but I want to pick the not so right choice and feel good about it, I go to friends or social media to tell me that what I want is right. This is Ahab. He wants Ramoth-gilead. Maybe he thinks this powerful city under his control validates his kingship or provides great prosperity and happiness. He believes the lie instead of listening to the truth. Because Ahab aggressively worships idols and not God, he hates Micaiah who speaks the truth of God. He shuts down the voice of God. He turns to whatever satisfies himself. This is a dangerous place. And yet, there is hope when you look at the life of Micaiah who firmly plants his life on the truth of God. As a prophet, Micaiah spends time in prayer, faithful obedience, and demonstrates wisdom described in James 3:17. Over time, Micaiah grows content and confident in God while at the same time Ahab comes to the end of his life killed by the chase of self-exaltation.

Life is a rollercoaster with ups and downs and unexpected turns. We know this because we experience it. As you are buckled in, make the decision right now in who you will trust. Will you trust empty idols like Ahab? Or will you trust the God of Israel who is the God of the hills and the valleys?

Q: Does my life right now point to God or idols? Am I grabbing for a promotion, a spouse, acceptance, etc? Confess the idols in your life and ask God for greater trust in Him.

Additional reading: 2 Chronicles 18