Ahab & Simple Obedience
Synopsis 1Kings 20:35-43 6/25/2019
Israel had won a resounding victory over Aram. Despite this, King Ahab let go Ben-hadad. And because God had targeted Ben-hadad for destruction, He was displeased.
As a result, a prophet received a word from the Lord. In it, he was to give a prophetic word to Ahab. But in order to convey the word as God desired, he needed to sustain an injury. So, he asked another prophet to strike him. But the second prophet refused to harm the first. And so, the second prophet was cursed with a lion attack. And almost immediately, a lion attacked and killed the second prophet.
For the second time, the prophet asked an ordinary man to strike him. And this man struck the prophet and injured his head. So, the injured prophet waited until Ahab came by. And when he did, the injured prophet prophesied against Ahab for releasing Ben-hadad.
The prophecy disturbed Ahab. And, it made him angry.
Ahab’s Disobedience
God gave Ahab victory over Aram in the first battle as evidence of His sovereignty. And so, when Ben-hadad’s advisors claimed that the God of Israel was only a God of the mountains, God had further opportunity to demonstrate His absolute sovereignty in the affairs of men.
By releasing Ben-hadad, Ahab gave away the fruit of the victory. And so, the prophet came to inform him of his error. And this vexed him.
Simple Obedience
In Proverbs 10, it is written, ”Where words are many, sin is not wanting; but those who restrain their lips do well”.
When my heart wants to justify itself, I use words. Sometimes I talk to myself. And when I do, I use words that clearly demonstrate my superior understanding of my situation.
Of course, sometimes I talk with others. And then I use words to persuade most anyone who will listen that I am right – and implicitly that everyone else is wrong.
But it’s not really the words that are the problem. The problem is found in a heart that wants to avoid simple obedience.
But Samuel said: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to the LORD’s command? Obedience is better than sacrifice, to listen, better than the fat of rams” (1Sam 15:22)
