But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, "First seek the counsel of the LORD." – 1 Kings 22:5

Today's Scripture Reading (January 11, 2023): 1 Kings 22

I admit that I struggle with the state of contemporary politics. One of my problems is that decisions are too often drawn on political lines instead of what works for certain areas or the politician's well-considered beliefs. More and more votes come down to party lines, and in some nations, like Canada and Britain, that vote is almost mandated. A politician's vote is often dependent on what party suggested the course of action and not whether the course of action is prudent or would benefit the nation's people. And so, we often have ridiculous circumstances where the political right suggests a move that is opposed by the political left simply because of who authored the motion. And when power switches, the left presents the same action that is now opposed by the right who first suggested the course of action in the first place. Politics is no longer the place where prudent motions become law but is now a place where we support whatever wild ideas are presented, as long as the idea comes from people who wear the same political label that we wear or with which we identify.

This brings us to the situation between Jehoshaphat and Ahab. The two nations, Judah and Israel, are considering an alliance so that Israel, the Kingdom under the leadership of Ahab, can regain territory lost in a previous battle with Ben-Hadad, the King of the Aram-Damascus, an empire located in present-day Syria. The territory had been promised to be returned to Israel in exchange for leniency following the defeat of Aram, but it had apparently never been returned. Jehoshaphat of Judah is willing to make the alliance and go to war for the territory, but first, he wants to ensure that God wills such an alliance. And so, Jehoshaphat makes what is really a bold request; "Let's ask God whether this is a good alliance before we put our plans into action." The problem is that Ahab has a difficult relationship with the prophets of God. Under Ahab's persecution, most had left the nation or at least had been driven deep underground. Ahab had raised up a company of Prophets who would agree with the King in all circumstances, not because they had inquired of God but because they had been trained never to contradict the King.

But Jehoshaphat is asking for a real inquiry, one that can be trusted, and there simply aren't many of those men still in Israel. There is one, but Ahab dislikes him because he feels that he is a contrarian who stands against whatever it might be that Ahab wants to do. His name is Micaiah, son of Imlah, and on this day, it is this contrarian for whom Ahab reluctantly sends.  

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Obadiah 1