Do you admire those who exhibit courage? Calvin Miller once said about John the Baptist, “If he had not made somebody angry by 9AM, he was having a bad day.” Do you know Micaiah’s story? We know the names of Elijah, Elisha and so many of the writing prophets. Micaiah did not suffer from co-dependence. He didn’t walk around asking people what they thought of him. His confidence derived from time spent in the counsel of our Holy God. Micaiah lived for an audience of One.
When Ahab, King of Israel was trying to enlist Jehoshaphat, King of Judah to join him in a battle against Ramoth Gilead, the latter wanted to be sure they were doing God’s will. These two men differed on so many things. Ahab flouted God’s rule, while Jehoshaphat embraced it. So before they committed to battle, Jehoshaphat asked for a prophet to tell them whether God was with them as they went into battle. Ahab’s court prophet lackeys who served Baal all told him what he wanted to hear. “What about a prophet of the Lord?” asked Jehoshaphat. “Well, there is Micaiah but he never says anything good about me,” responded King Ahab.
At this point, Jehoshaphat should have run. If Micaiah, the Lord’s prophet always spoke ill of Ahab, Jehoshaphat should have left immediately. When they sent for Micaiah, he explained he could not placate the king. Perhaps, in a sarcastic tone, Micaiah told the kings to go to battle. But when he spoke positively, Ahab questioned him and said, “Tell me the truth.” “You are going to die,” Micaiah answered. “I knew it,” said Ahab insisting they go to war anyway. Again. Run Jehoshaphat. Instead, he switches garments with Ahab making himself the target. One must question his wisdom.
In Texas, Joe T. Grizzle, pastor of a Baptist Church in West Texas followed Micaiah’s example. When called upon to preach the funeral for a Senator, he stood up and said the Senator had rejected Christ when he tried to share with him and that unless he had changed his mind he was in hell. The dignitaries who had come to the funeral were appalled at this lack of decorum and respect. But the following Sunday several adults in the town came to church for the first time in a long time and received Christ.
Who speaks truth to power? We cannot finally separate a person’s character from their conduct. When they tell us who they are, we should believe them. Jesus said, “A good tree cannot bear bad fruit and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit... every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” We will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ, our audience of One. How will that be?
