Today’s chapter is another lengthy reading in the story of Ahab’s reign in Israel. As we dive in, a couple things to remember from yesterday, and this morning’s sermon, are this:

1. God has given Elijah instruction to anoint new leadership in both Israel and Aram, both nations we see in 1 Kings 20 going to battle.

2. God works in ways that we do not fully understand to set up the Messianic lineage but also to keep His promises to people like Abraham and David. Much of the waring in the Old Testament is God doing this, but also some time’s it is the instrument of His judgment.

Let’s jump in to our reading.

So, seemingly randomly Ben-hadad rallies 32 kings to his cause of setting siege to the capital of Israel which is the city of Samaria, and he sends a letter of terms to Ahab. Ahab cowers and gives in so Ben-hadad sends a more demanding letter that Ahab refused. Ahab actually gives us a really good line of wisdom there in verse 11, “A warrior putting on his sword for battle should not boast like a warrior who has already won.” We may also know a line like this, “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.” That’s always good wisdom for us.

I always try not to be too hard on people in the scripture who do not have the personal relationship with God, nor the thousands of years of hindsight that we have today, but Ben-hadad really doesn’t seem too wise. The God of Israel isn’t just the God of the hills, He is the God of all creation. And get this, that means he is the only one qualified to take care of every problem you will ever face.

Now, remember, God’s plan was to replace Ben-Hadad with a guy named Hazael, Ahab was supposed to end Ben-hadad, but he didn’t.

Sheesh, there are some stories in scripture that are intense, and this is one of them. For me, and this is just the way my mind works, so you can take it or leave it, if a prophet ever asks me to do something, I think I’ll do it!

I know the prophet Nathan is long dead and gone, but this was almost the same tactic that he used to confront David when he sinned in the Bathsheba chronicle. Tell a story and let the king condemn himself, works like a charm!

So how in the world are we to draw any practical application for our lives here today from this chapter!? Well, here is how this scripture speaks to me:

• God is not worried about the odds, He is worried about obedience.

  • Much like Elijah in yesterday’s reading, Ahab faced a massive outnumbering of troops and military might. He would have never experienced victory had he not obeyed the word of the Lord.

• God sets kings and kingdoms, republics and democracies, and even dictatorships in place.

  • It is always a good reminder in an election year that the Lord, the God of the Bible is the one moving the chess pieces. His will, will be done! Do not worry about tomorrow but do your best to make an impact for His kingdom today!

• Sometimes we need to be tactful in sharing the Gospel!

I am not saying that we need to let someone punch us in the face so that we garner more attention, but I am saying that our methods of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ must be tactful, relevant, and impactful. This is what I have been sharing with our denominational leadership, and my fellow pastors. Our message, the saving and sanctifying message of Jesus Christ, never changes! Our mission, to go and make disciples baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, does not change! But our methods of delivering and living out those truths need to reach a multi-demographic and multi-generational world who are in desperate need of that message! Let’s get creative in sharing the Gospel!