Random

6/18/2016

2 Chronicles 18.33-34 33 But someone drew his bow at random and hit the king of Israel between the breastplate and the scale armor. The king told the chariot driver, “Wheel around and get me out of the fighting. I’ve been wounded.” 34 All day long the battle raged, and the king of Israel propped himself up in his chariot facing the Arameans until evening. Then at sunset he died.

Have you ever noticed the difference in tone between the writer of the Kings, and the writer of the Chronicles? It is obvious to me that they are two very different people with two very different perspectives. The writer of Chronicles took a less-than-regal stance in his reporting. (Just a random thought about the writing styles of the unknown authors of the Kings and the Chronicles…no extra charge!)

Speaking of random, how about that bow-shot in the battle between the Arameans and the Israelis!? Someone (not sure if it was friendly fire or not) drew his bow and randomly fired an arrow into the air and it just so happened to hit king Ahab in the slats (between the breastplate and the scale)…wow. And Ahab died. Wow.

Ahab was never big on God; he did prefer the Baals though. The problem with Ahab’s preferences was, they weren’t God’s. There’s a disconnect! Ahab was God’s man in Israel (the northern kingdom) and he didn’t care about God – God seemed always to rain on his parade (See 2 Chronicles 18.7). And Ahab whined about it. Whiny leaders are dangerous leaders; whininess is a huge character flaw… and whininess fuels self and sin.

So, whiny Ol’ king Ahab tried to fool the enemy by showing up in battle in disguise and someone (nameless, faceless archer) shoots an arrow into the air and where it landed he knew not where – but God did. It’s like me and my golf game – perfect shot at the green but into the rough, and it lays there to this moment because I couldn’t find it…I thought it was on the green!

To me, there’s a couple lessons here: One: listen to God. If He tells you, through His prophet, not to go to war, then don’t go (disguised or not). Two: don’t try to outwit God, just obey; it’s simpler, less whiny, and random shots wind up somewhere beyond the green but not between your breastplate and scale. God had appointed Ahab king in Israel and God expected Ahab to cooperate with Him. God never changes His mind about the people He calls or the gifts He gives (Romans 11.29) – even ancient whiny kings.

My takeaway is this: Paul, listen and obey. Embrace the discomfort and listen and obey. Be slow to talk (whine) and quick to listen. Then obey. Life is much simpler that way. It’s safer than random.

Father, You were not fooled by Ahab, nor are You fooled by me. I want eyes to see, and ears to hear, and a heart that responds. It’s all about trusting You. Aram was no match for You, but Ahab couldn’t - wouldn’t believe that, and unbelief cost him. I want a heart that believes that no matter what, You come through for Your obedient children. Thank You. Amen.