Today's Scripture Reading (February 28, 2026): 2 Chronicles 18
I admit that I struggle
with contemporary politics. One of my problems is that decisions are too often
drawn along political party lines rather than based on what works for certain
areas or on a 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. Beyond that, a politician's vote is often dependent on which
party proposed the course of action, not on whether it is prudent or would
benefit the people of the nation. And so, we often find ourselves in ridiculous
circumstances where the political right proposes a move opposed by the
political left simply because of who authored the motion. And when power
switches, we often must endure the ridiculous situation where the left presents
the same action they had opposed not that long ago, but now the right opposes it,
even though they 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.
Which 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 previously lost to Ben-Hadad, the King of Aram-Damascus,
located in present-day Syria. The territory had been promised 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 an alliance and go to
war for the Israelite 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 aren't many of those men
still in Israel. There was 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: 2 Chronicles 19
No comments:
Post a Comment