GOD IS LEFT OUT! 1 Kings 22:29-40
29 So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramothgilead.
30 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and enter into the battle; but put thou on thy robes. And the king of Israel disguised himself, and went into the battle.
31 But the king of Syria commanded his thirty and two captains that had rule over his chariots, saying, Fight neither with small nor great, save only with the king of Israel.
32 And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, Surely it is the king of Israel. And they turned aside to fight against him: and Jehoshaphat cried out.
33 And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots perceived that it was not the king of Israel, that they turned back from pursuing him.
34 And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: wherefore he said unto the driver of his chariot, Turn thine hand, and carry me out of the host; for I am wounded.
35 And the battle increased that day: and the king was stayed up in his chariot against the Syrians, and died at even: and the blood ran out of the wound into the midst of the chariot.
36 And there went a proclamation throughout the host about the going down of the sun, saying, Every man to his city, and every man to his own country.
37 So the king died, and was brought to Samaria; and they buried the king in Samaria.
38 And one washed the chariot in the pool of Samaria; and the dogs licked up his blood; and they washed his armour; according unto the word of the Lord which he spake.
39 Now the rest of the acts of Ahab, and all that he did, and the ivory house which he made, and all the cities that he built, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
40 So Ahab slept with his fathers; and Ahaziah his son reigned in his stead.
GOD IS LEFT OUT! 1 Kings 22:29-40
GOD IS LEFT OUT! 1 Kings 22:29-40
Observe how Ahab left God out right from the planning stage of the battle to the final engagement with the enemies (vs.1-4). Ahab was not led by any word of prophecy as at other times (20:13&22), except those who came to sing his praise and offer false assurance of victory. He went to battle ill-prepared emotionally (angry, v.26), spiritually (v.27), and without any battle plans while his opponent prepared his own army (v.31). Of what use was Jehoshaphat’s desire to be guided by God when he was not ready to obey Him. Very often, when people say they want to hear God’s word, what they really want is a confirmation of their own intentions. Notice however how he escaped death (vs. 32&33)? We also must repent of our errors and call out to God for deliverance whenever we find ourselves in a wrong place (v.32). What a sad end for Ahab! He could not escape God’s judgment (vs.37&38, cf. 21:19). The Lord controlled even what happened “at random” (v.34). GOD IS LEFT OUT! 1 Kings 22:29-40
Missions: TOGO-Bible translation remains a major ministry challenge. The whole Bible is completed in Kobiye, one of two indigenous languages used in schools. Four languages have definite Bible translation needs. Work in more than 12 languages is in progress, thanks to WBT. Audio resources are vital in this low-literacy nation. Training for translators and audio resource materials producers is needed
Prayer: Grant me the grace, dear Lord, to part way with any evil friends before it is too late.
GOD IS LEFT OUT! 1 Kings 22:29-40
Bible In One Year: Ezekiel 22-24
Key Verse: There is a way which seemeth night unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. (Prov. 14:12)
