I have been learning today about the book of Kings and a lesser-spotted prophet called Micaiah. Micaiah is now a bit of a hero of mine because of his flagrant sarcasm. You can look him up in 1 Kings 22 trying to sort out King Ahab, who was a whining, Jezebel-dating, baby-burning type of guy. Micaiah also winds up a lot of other prophets, one of whom is so cross he gives him a stout slap on the cheek – hooray! Micaiah is so not fazed by any of this.
It is a bonkers, almost farcical, story which descends quickly into disguises and poetic justice and I am sure it must have been a campfire favourite in the ancient storytelling tradition of the Jews. Try reading it in The Message version.
It also features the good king Jehosaphat, who ruled the neighbouring kingdom of Judah at the time, who seems like a jolly decent chap with at least half a brain and some dignity to go with it. Maybe I'm still in panto-mode, but all this battle and wit and good verses evil just seemed like good fun to me today. Don't think me too ghoulish, we are meant to see the irony in the gory end to the story, even if you wouldn't call it out-rightly humorous...
Morals?
1) When you're in a position of influence, don't lead people astray.
2) When you hear God speaking to you, don't pretend you don't and just charge ahead anyway.
3) Don't be cocky if you don't want to get slapped.
Right. That's the new year's resolutions sorted then.
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Happy new year everyone!
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