Attacking the Messenger

[!NOTE] Primary Scripture Reading: Ezekiel 33:1-11

I. 1 Kings 22:1-28: Background

A. After the nation Israel divided into two kingdoms, the northern kingdom became more wicked while the southern kingdom had some faithful kings to rule them

B. One of the most despised kings of the Bible was King Ahab

C. Overview

D. Historically, he was a powerful and successful king. Spiritually, he was bankrupt.

E. He was considered one of the most wicked kings, 1 Kings 16:29-34

F. His wife Jezebel was a foreign princess—marriage with foreigners was prohibited—and a very wicked woman

G. 1 Kings 18:4 – She slew the Lord’s prophets1 Kings 21:25 – She stirred him up to wickedness Ahab’s father, Omri, was considered the most evil king (1 Kings 16:25) yet Ahab excelled his father in wickedness God sent several prophets to Ahab and it was under his rule that the role of the prophets became prominent.

H. Incident under consideration

I. Israel defeated Syria a few years before, but only because the Syrians blasphemed God’s name and God fought to defend his name.

J. Perhaps thinking that it was his power that defeated the Syrians, Ahab told Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, that he wanted to take Ramoth Gilead.

K. Jehoshaphat agreed to help Ahab Jehoshaphat was generally a good king but his association with Ahab caused him some problems

L. Before the left, Jehoshaphat wanted to inquire of God

M. The false prophets told Ahab and Jehoshaphat that they would be successful in battle, 1 Kings 22:6-7 Apparently Jehoshaphat was not impressed with them, 22:7

N. Read 1 Kings 22:8-18

II. Ahab: “I hate him because he only speaks evil about me.”

A. Some dislike, or even hate, God’s messenger when he speaks against them

B. Ahab disliked the greatest of prophets, Elijah

C. The drought

D. Elijah prophesied that there would be no rain on the earth until he prayed again—a period that lasted three years. Elijah came to Ahab to proclaim an end to the drought and was welcomed in a very strange way1 Kings 18:17-18: Ahab called Elijah the “troubler of Israel” because “he” brought the drought upon Israel In reality, Ahab “troubled” Israel because his wickedness led God to bring the drought on the land.

E. Naboth’s vineyard

F. When Ahab, incited by Jezebel, framed and killed an innocent man, Naboth, in order to take his vineyard, God sent Elijah to condemn him and prophesy about the punishment that would come upon him. When Elijah approached Ahab, he was once again welcomed with a sarcastic comment.1 Kings 21:19-20 – “Have you found me, O my enemy?” Actually Elijah was the friend of Ahab because he tried to turn Ahab from his wickedness; Ahab’s friends were his enemies because they led him into further wickedness. Ahab hated Michaiah because he prophesied the truth In the New Testament, the Jews killed Stephen because they did not like his message of Israel’s stubbornness and disobedience, Acts 7:51-60 Jesus explained the reason for this reaction, John 15:18-25

G. As a preacher, I know that I will have to preach on some unpopular subjects, sometimes words of rebuke and exhortation that some will dislike me for the message from God’s word

H. Some fail to realize that often the preacher does not want to preach the difficult message but is obligated to.

I. Ezekiel 33:1-11 – Watchman Jeremiah 20:7-12 – Message burned within even though he was imprisoned for teaching the truth Revelation 10:9-10 – God’s word was good but was bitter inside of him

J. People will not like you when you teach against some practice dear to them

K. Fornicators do not like to be told that they are living in sin Homosexuals do not like to be told that their “alternative lifestyle” is an abomination before the Lord Some religious people do not like to hear someone insist on Bible authority for practices and that God will condemn some religious people. You may be persecuted, mocked, laughed to scorn, beaten or killed. Darkness cannot grasp the truth but we must still preach, Eph 5:8-13

III. “Let your word be like the others [false prophets]”

A. Don’t rock the boat

B. It is easy to preach good things—even if wrong—if others are preaching it It is difficult to preach the truth when people readily accept false teachers2 Timothy 4:2-5 Some will find preachers to teach what they want to hear

C. Michaiah could have been tempted to conform but his obligation was to God alone—he had to teach the truth

D. The false prophets were very impressive (v.11)

E. A person might teach with a lot of flash but still be wrong The substance of the message is important, not the messenger

F. When you teach the truth, you may be reluctant to speak when you know that those in your class, office, family, or neighborhood will not agree with you

G. A voice inside may say, “Agree with the false teaching,” or, more likely, “Do not say anything to oppose it.” Instead, we must please God

H. Michaiah sarcastically agreed with the prophets but the king saw through it and demanded the truth.

I. Michaiah did tell the truth, v17 The king again attacked the messenger instead of listening to him. Though others may reject us or attack us for teaching the truth, we must not give into the pressure to conform or be quiet.

IV. What will be our response when we hear difficult messages?

A. Will we oppose the messenger?

B. Galatians 4:16 – “Have I become your enemy?” A friend would not let another friend perish but would warn him? We must be willing to put friendships on the line to save souls.

C. Will we conform to the message?

D. James 1:22-25 – We must let God’s word change us Luke 6:46-49 – How shall we build?