In 1 Kings Chap 22 and 2Chronicles chap 18 we see Ahab was tricked to go in for a war with Syrian King. Ahab was one of the worst kings that Israel had and he and his wife Jezebel always did evil things to provoke the anger of God by worshiping the pagan god of Bal and depending on the prophets of Bal.
Because of this persistent disobedience, God planned to destroy him. As there has to be a reason and situation for everything, the evil mind always dig their own pits of disaster. As it is said “ VINASA KALE VIPAREETHA BUDHI’’ suddenly an idea come to his mind. Why don’t I try to capture Ramoth from Syrians ? He asked the help of King Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah to which he agreed. Ahab then called the prophets of about 400 to know if god will give him victory. All of them prophesied , he will win and advised him to go to war with Syrian king and capture Ramoth. Then at the insistence of Jehoshaphat who was a god fearing and good king of Judah , Ahab sent for another prophet , named, Micaiah who told Ahab what was going to happen in War. He told the King that he saw all the Israel is scattered without a shepherd . He also saw the Lord sitting on His throne and all creatures in heaven around Him, and Lord asked who shall persuade Ahab and as they were talking, finally one spirit came forward and said ‘’ I will go out, and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets’’ As God’s will has to be done ,in spite of hearing this truth , Ahab went ahead to Ramoth for war and he get killed there.
If we read the above chapters , there are some very important lessons for every one to learn, especially for the leaders.
1. The evil and stubborn leaders always dig there own pits of destruction. At a time when there complete peace , one evil thought come to his mind so that the punishment of God come upon him for his enormous inequities and this one foolish action lead to his own destruction. This is what happen when people obstinately refuse the word of God and continue with their wicket ways. Kuwait Marthoma parish was a pride of Marthoma church and it was a comfort to many needy people and sponsoring lot of evangelists and other programs of church but then a foolish thought come to some wicked minds to abolish the parish and spirit of lies worked in their heart and the result is the chaos that we witness today , it has now become a liability for the church, the leaders are on the run to look for sponsors for their ILL CONCEIVED BABIES from getting aborted at a pre-mature stage.
2. The fate of Ahab is the fate of leaders who HATE THE TRUE NEWS and LOVE GOOD NEWS, they always wish to hear only what is comforting to their ears. King Ahab called 400 prophets but was reluctant to hear from prophet Micaiah because while the other prophets were interested to tell Ahab only what he likes to hear but Micaiah tell only the truth that is revealed to him. The messenger who went to bring Micaiah said ‘’ Behold, the words of the prophets declare good to the king ...., be like one of theirs, and speak thou good’’ and Micaiah replied ‘’ what my God saith, that will I speak’’ Not only it is the case of current Methrapolitha and most of leaders in top hierarchy of the church , through out the world the main reason for the failed leaders were the coterie of lairs around them who always trick and mislead their masters to disaster ends. One hardcore supporter and well wisher recently suggested that our Methrapolitha and other leaders should have private jets not benz car ! Omeone in is continuous research to invent new and new reasons to justify a criminal murder. These good friends always make sure that their leaders never see the truth and live in a dark world of ignorance so that they don’t need other enemies to take them to their slaughter house.
3. Disguising does not help to escape the wrath of God. We read ‘’ the king of Israel disguised himself; and they went to the battle’’ Ahab was so evil that he asks his good friend Jehoshaphat to put on his royal robes but he disguise himself as an ordinary soldier so that he thought he will be safe even if his friend is killed. Still he could note escape. Jehoshaphat was god fearing and god protects him and he come back safely. But some one aimlessly sent a bow and hit it straight on Ahab and he was killed in that battle. It was like god directly make the aim to punish this wicked king. All the leaders and supporters who disguise and scheme evil plans should remember, your identity is not hidden from god, you could dress up as angels and present to be pious in dress and exterior robes and symbols , can adopt nice names like carol(song) or slow breeze ( indicating presence or arrival of God as we see God coming to talk to Elijah and Adam) etc but still the truth will be revealed at some time.
4. Even when the leader is wicked, God saves the people. The battle lost , the king is killed and people are scattered without a leader but the people come back safely because God worked in the heart of Syrian King who instructed his commanders not to attack anyone except Ahab. Around 5000 of Kuwait Marthomites are now without leaders but still not lost. They r now in similar position as that of Israel before the 1st King, Saul, when God himself was their King. Till the time Lord raise a good shepherd for His folk , they will be in the protection of the Good Shepherd.
5. There will be a day the prophets of lies will have to run to hide . The liar prohet, Zedekiah, slapped Miciaiah for telling the truth and to which Micaiah said’’ thou shalt see in that day, when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself” Those who stood for the truth will one day see all the liars running to hide in shame.
Sajan