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But Jehoshaphat said, “Is there not still a prophet of the Lord here, that we may inquire
of Him?” So the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “There is still one man by whom we
may inquire of the Lord; but I hate him, because he never prophesies good concerning
me, but always evil. He is Micaiah the son of Imla.” – 2 Chronicles 18:6-7
There are times in life when we must stand alone. This can often lead to rejection,
mockery, and sometimes a deprivation of our rights. However, the good news is that
these consequences are usually temporary, as expressed in the scripture: “…our light
affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal
weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 4:17).
A prime example of this is Micaiah the Prophet. Although he was unpopular in his time,
he remained genuine in fulfilling his prophetic duties. This article aims to explore
Micaiah’s uniqueness in standing out amidst the crowd during his era. Micaiah had a life
to live and a ministry to uphold, which he did faithfully. What are some important
lessons we can learn from Micaiah’s life and ministry?
Micaiah Was One Man Who Was Known to Be Different: “The king of Israel said to
Jehoshaphat, ‘There is still one man we may inquire of the LORD; but I hate him
because he never prophesies good concerning me—only evil…’” This response from
King Ahab to King Jehoshaphat clearly shows that God still has His ‘seven thousand’
prophets present everywhere—“there’s still one man…”. In Micaiah’s case, he stood
alone, yet he was not truly alone because God was with him. From this scripture, it is
evident that King Ahab was aware of Micaiah’s stance on matters related to God’s will.
This recognition is likely why Micaiah was the last prophet to be consulted. While other
prophets might speak from impulse or favor toward the king, Micaiah chose to take the
unpopular path of communicating God’s truth. He was unapologetic in delivering God’s
verdict on any matter, demonstrating firmness in his convictions. Micaiah did not keep
his beliefs secret; he publicly expressed his position, regardless of the consequences.
As a result, Micaiah was known for who he was and what he stood for.
The voice of the crowd isn’t always the voice of God.
However, one who stands with God is always in the majority.
Micaiah Didn’t Mingle with the Crowd: At a time when all the other prophets were in
agreement, supporting the king’s decision to go to war, Micaiah chose to stand apart.
He could have easily been influenced by the majority’s opinion, but he opted to be
different. Many individuals, even when they know the right thing to do, often go along
with the crowd to avoid being seen as rebels. God warns us in Exodus 23:2a: “You shall
not follow a crowd to do evil…” The voice of the crowd isn’t always the voice of God.
However, one who stands with God is always in the majority. When we take a stand for
God, He stands with us, even during the most challenging times. This truth is
demonstrated in the lives of several biblical figures such as Elijah, Daniel, Shadrach,
Meshach, Abednego, and Paul the Apostle. None of these individuals were abandoned
by God; He proved Himself faithful in their lives.
When we take a stand for
God, He stands with us, even during the most challenging times.
Micaiah Spoke the Truth Even When It Hurt: “And Micaiah said,
“As the Lord lives, whatever my God says, that I will speak.” – 2 Chronicles 18:13. The
truth is not always pleasant or welcoming; at times, it can be difficult and uninviting.
Micaiah was not prepared to dilute the truth, even when warned by the servant who
called him to speak in alignment with the other prophets. He resisted the pressure to
conform and made a difference by boldly proclaiming the truth, even when it was
painful. For Micaiah, it did not matter who might be hurt by the truth; what mattered was
that the truth had to be told. In the presence of two kings and 400 prophets who were all
saying the same thing, Micaiah stood firm and communicated the mind of God, even
though he stood alone. His viewpoint seemed strange to the majority of the misguided
prophets, yet he remained undeterred and chose to be unique. To make a difference,
we must be resolute in upholding the truth, even when faced with threats and
opposition. Our opinions may be perceived as outdated or peculiar, but we must be
prepared to stand firm like Micaiah.
To make a difference, we must be resolute in upholding the truth, even when faced with threats and opposition.
Micaiah Was Ready to Please God at the Expense of His Life: The king of Israel
commanded, “Take Micaiah and return him to Amon, the governor of the city, and to
Joash, the king’s son. Say to them, ‘Thus says the king: “Put this man in prison and
feed him with bread and water of affliction until I return in peace.”’” – 2 Chronicles
18:25-26. Despite the threat, Micaiah remained committed to pleasing God, even at the
cost of his life. He did not waver in the face of the kings of Israel and Judah or the
supportive voices of the 400 prophets; instead, he was determined to convey God’s
message. Even after being struck by one of the prophets (2 Chronicles 18:23), Micaiah
stood firm and upheld his beliefs. He was unafraid of the threat of imprisonment as long
as he was speaking for God. He preferred to die defending his faith rather than live as a
coward under the rule of a transient earthly king. The possibility of being imprisoned and
suffering did not shake his conviction. He acted like Moses, of whom it is said that he
“…did not fear the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is invisible”
(Hebrews 11:27). Christ rightly declared, “He who finds his life will lose it, and he who
loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matthew 10:39). True to His word, everyone who
courageously laid down their lives for Christ ultimately did not lose out.
Micaiah Was Consistent Even Under Threat: Micaiah, the man of God, remained
steadfast in his principles even when he had to stand alone. King Ahab expressed his
disdain, saying, “There is still one man by whom we may inquire of the Lord; but I hate
him because he never prophesies good concerning me, but always evil. He is Micaiah
the son of Imla” (2 Chronicles 18:7). Ahab’s words highlight Micaiah’s unwavering
commitment to condemning the king’s wicked actions, especially as Ahab had willingly
given himself to evil under the influence of his wife, Jezebel. Unlike wavering reeds,
Micaiah stood firm like a rod. Even the wicked Queen Jezebel could not corrupt him as
she had done with other prophets who dined at her table. Micaiah was willing to endure
hardship and suffering to remain faithful to the truth. This demonstrates what it truly
means to make a difference.
A Prophecy Fulfilled: The Four Hundred Versus One Irony
Micaiah’s prophecy was firm and convincing, yet the king could not heed God’s warning.
While the other prophets were still speaking in favor of the king, Micaiah remained
steadfast and true to God’s word. In front of everyone present, Micaiah boldly declared
to Ahab, “If you ever return in peace, the Lord has not spoken by me.” He added, “Take
heed, all you people!” True to his word, King Ahab never returned from the battle alive.
Micaiah’s prophecy was fulfilled: “The battle intensified that day, and the king of Israel
propped himself up in his chariot, facing the Syrians until evening; and at sunset, he
died.”
This demonstrates the impact of one man who chose to be different and stand for the
truth. God proved him right, while the four hundred prophets were shown to be wrong.
The fact that the majority of the prophets shared the same message did not change
God’s verdict concerning Ahab. This indicates that the voice of the majority is not
always the voice of God. Regardless of who supports us on any issue, we must always
seek God’s verdict on every matter in life.
Regardless of who supports us on any issue, we must always
seek God’s verdict on every matter in life.
A Lesson for Us Today
Friends, you may feel alone and face challenges for being misunderstood and
dismissed because you choose to stand with God. Cheer up, because with God on your
side, you are on the winning side. In your situation, what are you known for? Do you
take a stand when it matters, or do you bend like a reed without a clear position? Do
you often feel isolated in your office or business environment and feel pressured to
compromise your faith? Remember, you do not have to yield to the pressures of the
world. Avoid being like a chameleon that changes its color to fit its surroundings;
instead, be determined to stay true to who you really are, regardless of the threats or
opposing forces you encounter.
Be determined to stay true to who you really are, regardless of the threats or opposing forces you encounter.
Rest assured that if God came through for Daniel, He will come through for you. If He
supported Elijah, He will surely support you. If He was with Micaiah, you can trust that
He will be with you, too. You are never alone because He has promised never to leave
or forsake you. No matter what the crowd thinks, decide not to give in but to stand out.
Be blessed!
World Changers Magazine 