The prophet is a member of the fivefold ministry, a term derived from the Apostle Paul’s revelation in Ephes. 4: 11-12 which outlined the five ministries and the reason for them.
“Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.”
“The prophet guides, he is the body’s eyes and ears. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the body sees and hears what God has done, is doing, and will do” (https://us8.campaign-archive.com). By implication, the prophet should not lie as this goes against God’s laws.
Jehoshaphat
There was however, in the time of Ahab and Jehoshaphat, 400 of Ahab’s prophets who claimed they were hearing from the Lord but were lying through their unsanctified lips. The story was told in 1 Kings 22 when Ahab enticed Jehoshaphat the king of Judah to join him in attacking Assyria to reclaim Ramoth in Gilead which belonged to the children of Israel but was under the control of Assyria. This was after three years of peace between the two nations.
So, Jehoshaphat spoke well of the unity between Judah and Israel, and then he asked a question of Ahab king of Israel – “… Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “Please inquire for the word of the Lord today” (v. 5 – NKJV). So, Ahab called up 400 of his prophets and asked them if he should go up to fight or not. “So, they said, “Go up, for the Lord will deliver it into the hand of the king.” (v.6e). One wonders which “Lord” they were talking about and apparently so did the king of Judah.
Prophet Who?
‘And Jehoshaphat said, “Is there not still a prophet of the Lord here, that we may inquire of Him?” ‘(v. 7). To this Ahab answered – ‘So the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “There is still one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may inquire of the Lord; but I hate him, because he does not prophesy good concerning me, but evil” ‘
Prophet who?
Micaiah the son of Imlah. King Ahab sounded like a petulant child who didn’t like to be told the truth. The name means – “who is like God.” Here is what prophet Micaiah did – He told the truth. After king Ahab quickly sent for him and asked the same question about going into battle the prophet at first toying with them said – “Go and prosper, for the Lord will deliver it into the hand of the king!” (v. 15 c). But Ahab insisted that he spoke the truth so he did – ‘Then he said, “I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd. And the Lord said, ‘These have no master. Let each return to his house in peace’ ” ‘ (v.17). ‘And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Did I not tell you he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?” ‘ (v. 18).
Now here is the clincher.
‘Then Micaiah said, “Therefore hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing by, on His right hand and on His left. And the Lord said, ‘Who will persuade Ahab to go up, that he may fall at Ramoth Gilead?’ So, one spoke in this manner, and another spoke in that manner. Then a spirit came forward and stood before the Lord, and said, ‘I will persuade him.’ The Lord said to him, ‘In what way?’ So, he said, ‘I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ And the Lord said, ‘You shall persuade him, and prevail. Go out and do so.’ ‘“Therefore look! The Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these prophets of yours, and the Lord has declared disaster against you” (vv. 19-23).
God’s Word Came to Pass
Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah slapped him in his face, and Ahab told them to take him to be imprisoned until he, Ahab returned in peace to which Micaiah responded – “If you ever return in peace, the Lord has not spoken by me.” And he said, “Take heed, all you people!”
As expected, when a true prophet spoke – God’s Word came to pass and Ahab was killed in battle and the children of Israel were scattered and each man returned to his house.
True Prophets vs. False Prophets
A true prophet is more afraid of God than the consequences of speaking the truth. We only heard this single story about this prophet, but we know that he was truly hearing from God. Let us be aware that lying prophets do exist and we should ask the Lord for discernment to tell the true prophet from the false ones.