Unit 3: Courageous Prophets of Change
Micaiah: Speaking Truth to Power Bible Background • 1 KINGS 22:1-40 | Printed Text • 1 KINGS 22:15-23, 26-28 Devotional Reading • 1 JOHN 3:23-4:3; DEUTERONOMY 18:19-22
AIM FOR CHANGE
By the end of this lesson, we will IDENTIFY with Micaiah’s boldness in declaring the word of the Lord, ASPIRE to be like Micaiah when speaking the word of the Lord, and COMMIT to tell those in power what the Lord has said.
IN FOCUS
Martin Fairchild stared at the spreadsheet. There was no way around it, his family would not be able to go on a vacation this year. There just was no money for it. He thought about all the fun vacations they had had in years past and how much the kids looked forward to the week of adventuring. Even though they were teens now and too cool to admit it. But with the extra costs of college admission tests and application fees, plus a new transmission for the car, there just wasn’t the extra money. He broke the news to his family at dinner. The kids quickly offered new ways of getting the money.
“What if we just borrow some money from Uncle Phil?” Raymond asked. “What if we skip just a week or two of tithing?” Denise asked. Mrs. Fairchild shook her head. “Your father has made the wisest decision he can in this situation.”
Martin nodded to his wife, thanking her for the support. “We are not going into debt just to go someplace. And we are certainly not going to forget to give back to the Lord. I know it’s not what you want to hear, but it’s what God has provided for us this time.”
How have you followed God’s guidance even when others didn’t like what God had to say?
FOCAL VERSES
KJV 1 Kings 22:15 So he came to the king. And the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall we forbear? And he answered him, Go, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the king.
16 And the king said unto him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou tell me nothing but that which is true in the name of the LORD?
17 And he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master: let them return every man to his house in peace.
18 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would prophesy no good concerning me, but evil?
19 And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left.
20 And the LORD said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner.
21 And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will persuade him.
22 And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so.
23 Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee.
26 And the king of Israel said, Take Micaiah, and carry him back unto Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king’s son;
27 And say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I come in peace.
28 And Micaiah said, If thou return at all in peace, the LORD hath not spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, O people, every one of you.