1 Kings 20:26-30 - When good things happen to bad people
Scripture:
1 Kings 20:26-30
26 At the turn of the year, Ben-hadad mustered the Arameans and went up to Aphek to fight against Israel.
27 The sons of Israel were mustered and were provisioned and went to meet them; and the sons of Israel camped before them like two little flocks of goats, but the Arameans filled the country.
28 Then a man of God came near and spoke to the king of Israel and said, "Thus says the Lord, 'Because the Arameans have said, "The Lord is a god of the mountains, but He is not a god of the valleys," therefore I will give all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am the Lord.'"
29 So they camped one over against the other seven days. And on the seventh day the battle was joined, and the sons of Israel killed of the Arameans 100,000 foot soldiers in one day.
30 But the rest fled to Aphek into the city, and the wall fell on 27,000 men who were left. And Ben-hadad fled and came into the city into an inner chamber.
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Thoughts:
The king of Israel at this time, Ahab, was an evil man. In fact, the writer of Kings tells us that up to his reign, none were as wicked as he was:
1 Kings 16:30
30 Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord more than all who were before him.
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It is troubling then to see the Lord is blessing the wicked King Ahab with this amazing military victory. But note that it is not because God is pleased with him. The two reasons stated for God's defeat of the Arameans (verse 28) are: 1. because they have mocked God, saying He is limited in power; and 2. that king Ahab will know that the Lord is God.
It seems natural for us to infer when bad things come into a person's life, this means God is displeased, and that when good things come, God is pleased with them. Clearly from Ahab's life though, this is not always the case. God may have other purposes we know nothing about. In this instance, God is bringing this good in part to convince Ahab that He is God, not the false gods that he is following, and leading the nation to do the same.
It's tempting to make this same inference with regards to ministry, as well. A ministry that seems to be flourishing, we assume God's hand is behind it. Whereas a ministry that is struggling financially, or in number, we assume is not blessed by God. In the same way, these inferences may or may not be true.
Prayer:
Lord, keep me from pride and discouragement, two polar responses to my circumstances. Pride when things are going well as I seek to give some glory to myself. Discouragement when they are not going well, thinking something must be wrong with me, which may or may not be. Let me be content and joyful in You, no matter my circumstances:
Philippians 4:12-13
12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
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Amen
posted by Steve @ 1:35 PM
