Preschool
Peace, be still. Mark 4:39
True or False
Memory Verses
Primary
And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. Mark 4:39
Junior
And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. Mark 4:39
Background Scripture: 1 Kings 22
Lesson Scripture: 1 Kings 22:6–8, 13–23
Introduction
It is essential to know the truth. The truth may be sought in the courtroom by one side, while the other side seeks to hide it. The buyer seeks the truth of a product while the salesman tries to stretch the truth. A person seeking medical assistance usually wants to know a true diagnosis. However, people often overlook God’s Word and the simple truths found there, seeking rather the counsel of men to determine their course in life. May this lesson inspire us to “know the truth, and the truth shall make [us] free” (John 8:32).
Key Verse
We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error (1 John 4:6).
Lesson Scripture
1 Kings 22:6 Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall I go against Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for the Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king.
7 And Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the Lord besides, that we might inquire of him?
8 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may enquire of the Lord: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.
13 And the messenger that was gone to call Micaiah spake unto him, saying, Behold now, the words of the prophets declare good unto the king with one mouth: let thy word, I pray thee, be like the word of one of them, and speak that which is good.
14 And Micaiah said, As the Lord liveth, what the Lord saith unto me, that will I speak.
15 So he came to the king. And the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go against Ramoth-gilead 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 Ramoth-gilead? 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.
Studying the Lesson
Jehoshaphat was the fourth king of Judah and is recorded as the second of five who were godly kings after Solomon’s kingdom was divided. Jehoshaphat built upon the godly reign of his father Asa, yet the high places remained in the land that Jehoshaphat did not purge. He and his father together reigned for about sixty years.
Ahab ascended the throne of Israel just before Jehoshaphat became king of Judah. Ahab was a very wicked king and “did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him” (1 Kings 16:33). Six chapters of the Bible describe Ahab’s reign, more than any other king after Solomon. The Lord tried to speak to Ahab numerous times, including the time of no rain, the test at Mount Carmel, and the time he stole Naboth’s vineyard. Elijah delivered a curse to Ahab after he killed Naboth, and Ahab apparently humbled himself before God. God delayed bringing evil upon him, but Ahab’s repentance did not last.
Israel and Judah enjoyed a period of peace between them during this time. We wonder at the alliance between Jehoshaphat and Ahab—there was surely some political benefit. Did Jehoshaphat not recognize King Ahab’s wickedness? Jehoshaphat made an official visit to Israel during which Ahab brought his request for Judah to join him in the conquest of Ramoth-gilead. Ramoth-gilead, a city of refuge, had been captured earlier by the Syrians. Jehoshaphat readily agreed to join him but desired to know the Lord’s will. The prophet Micaiah was called; he was faithful in delivering the truth to the two kings, but Ahab refused to accept this message.
After the showdown on Mount Carmel, Elijah had slain 450 prophets of Baal, but the prophets of the groves had not been destroyed. Likely these were the 400 prophets that Ahab called. The Lord sent a lying spirit from the mouth of the false prophets to persuade King Ahab that he would go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead. Different times God spoke very clearly to Ahab; however, Ahab always chose his own way and finally met his disastrous end.
Practical Truths for Today
“What is truth?” Pilate’s question remains an echo in people’s hearts. In our world today the truth is perceived as being fluid. Much depends on the circumstances and ideals of those involved as to their perception of truth. Yet God’s truth stands as a Rock for men and women everywhere to anchor their soul as they seek and find the answers for life’s questions. God truth is simple enough that even a child need not be confused.
The requirements for us to discern and follow truth are the same today as they have been through the ages. We must surrender our own thinking and selfish desires, be receptive to the Spirit’s voice, and love the Word of God to understand God’s will. A Christian is eager to know the Word of the Lord. He realizes that his own pursuits, when done in his own wisdom, are unprofitable. Unless directed by the principles of Scripture with a desire for God’s way, they have no eternal value. Even as Jehoshaphat called for the prophet of the Lord, so the true believer realizes that the world’s advice is not true, and he will seek the direction of God. This direction may come from his brethren in the church.
The world is constantly experimenting to find ways of bringing the most fulfillment and happiness to life. Although the Bible says that many evils have their root in the desire for money, financial security is promoted by the world about us. Better health through diet and exercise, including a careful balance of work and leisure, is acclaimed; however, these benefits are often overrated. Some try to do acts of service to humanity, seeking recognition as a way to fulfillment and happiness. Parents at a loss with their delinquent children seek new and novel methods of child training, only to be disappointed.
The Christian seeks and finds his answers in the Word of God. He realizes that only in aligning his life with the Bible will he find fulfillment. There he finds direction for stewardship in all aspects of his life. In the Word of God is the definition of sin together with the moral law. The Bible contains the solution for sin and the way of salvation. The experiences of men and women in Scripture, both good and bad, are examples and warnings to us. There is counsel for each phase of life. Wisdom is freely offered, and promises are extended to encourage us. We find comfort for our weary spirits. Heaven is described to quicken our steps. As we let the Word penetrate our heart and guide our life, we find that the Holy Spirit has free course to “guide [us] into all truth” (John 16:13).
Micaiah’s first answer to Ahab was a blessing on his conquest. But Ahab seemed to know in his heart that his plans were not blessed of the Lord, and he pressed the prophet for the truth. The truth must have been a source of frustration to him. He even disguised himself when he went into the battle in order to escape the judgment upon him. Is there not a voice of truth in every man’s heart to point him to the right way? However, if we persist in taking our own way, that voice becomes uncertain and eventually silent. We will be in danger of deception, and our foundation will be as the foolish man who built upon the sand. If we choose to follow the truth, we establish our foundation upon the Rock.
Questions
- Is a desire to prove something before believing it the proper way to approach the Bible?
- Is the conservative approach to life the safest way?
- If I view the truth as hard, cold, and restricting, will I come to love and embrace the truth as my own?
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Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).