NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH!

Sunday, September 2, 2018

NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH!

2 Chron 18:12-17

12 And the messenger that went to call Micaiah spake to him, saying, Behold, the words of the prophets declare good to the king with one assent; let thy word therefore, I pray thee, be like one of theirs, and speak thou good.

13 And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, even what my God saith, that will I speak.

14 And when he was come to the king, the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And he said, Go ye up, and prosper, and they shall be delivered into your hand.

15 And the king said to him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou say nothing but the truth to me in the name of the LORD?

16 Then he said, I did see all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master; let them return therefore every man to his house in peace.

17 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would not prophesy good unto me, but evil?

To conserve a bit of space I have selected these six verses although the entire story takes up most of the eighteenth chapter. King Jehoshaphat made an alliance with neighboring King Ahab (18:1) and convinced him to go to war with him against Ramoth-gilead (18:2). Being religious, or more accurately superstitious, they invited 400 prophets to reveal the outcome of their campaign. All 400 prophets said it would be a good and successful campaign. “Go up; for God will deliver it into the king's hand” (18:5).

In spite of all the smiling prophets and flag waving patriotism, Jehoshaphat wanted a second opinion and he asked, “Is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we might inquire of him?” (18:6) Well, there was one man whose prophecies could be trusted but he was a bit “negative!” So they called upon Micaiah to come and give his prophecy.

Now, every other prophet was smiling so broadly that their faces hurt and the messenger encouraged Micaiah to not be so negative and to make the prophecy in agreement with the others. Surely 400 prophets in agreement was a confirmation of truth! Yet, Micaiah said he would only prophecy whatever God revealed to him (18:13).

Upon entering the throne room of the two kings Micaiah looked around and saw their pomp. Both were seated on thrones in a room too big for either of them. Sarcasm washed over him like a flood and he simply repeated what all the other 400 smiling prophets had proclaimed. “Surely God will deliver Ramoth-gilead into your hand! How could it be otherwise since so many had declared it?”

Suspicious of the dripping sarcasm, the king demanded to know the truth and nothing but the truth! Micaiah said “what I see is your armies scattered all over the countryside and they have no leader. It will not go well with you in your campaign against Ramoth-gilead. You will be defeated.”

Now, here is the question, although it took a long time to arrive here! How important is the truth and nothing but the truth? An army preparing for battle needs good intelligence. They need to know the strength of the opposition, their strategies and how they will be arrayed. A person who is sick does not need a smiling and optimistic doctor. He needs the truth so that he can take measures to restore health. They need the truth and nothing but the truth.

A soul speeding toward eternity needs to know the truth! They do not need fast formulas for happiness and earthly success. They need the truth! That soul does not need some smiling prophet who never mentions his sin or the deadliness of it. He needs the truth even if it is somewhat negative.

The truth is the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ. He that covers his sins shall not prosper but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. Prov 28:13

Dear Lord, today help me to speak the truth in love to those who need it. Give me a heart that desires the truth and nothing but the truth. AMEN