1 Kings 22:8, 18 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, Micaiah, the son of Imlah, by whom we may enquire of the Lord: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so….And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat. “Did I not tell that he would prophesy no good concerning me, but evil.
King Jehoshaphat of Judah was meeting with the king of Israel, discussing whether or not to go to war with Ramoth-Gilead. He would not go into battle unless they asked the Lord first. Four hundred lying prophets said, “Go up.” Jehoshaphat asked for another prophet of the Lord. Ahab responded, “There is another prophet, but I hate him for he prophesies bad things about me.” Sure enough, Micaiah prophesied bad things if they went up to battle, and Ahab himself lost his life by a stray arrow.
Sometimes the Word and preachers of the Word say bad things about us and our future judgment. But we want to hear only good things, sweetness and light, and not words of hell and damnation. However, the Good News of forgiveness, life, and salvation is empty and meaningless unless it is spoken into the context of bad news, sin, and judgment. Instead of saying,”I don’t want to hear that,” we can respond by repenting, “That’s me; I am the sinner. Have mercy on me.”
God’s Word does not tell us what we want to hear, but what we need to hear. So we listen with faith to Law and Gospel and apply it all to ourself.