"A FOOLISH DISGUISE"
The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "I will enter the battle in disguise, but you wear your royal robes." (1 Kings 22:30)
The Books of Kings describe the history of the kings of Israel and Judah in the light of God's covenants. The central thesis is that the welfare of Israel and her kings depended on obedience to their obligations under the Mosaic covenant. The kings who receive the most attention in the books seem to be those whose reign either honored God's covenant or breached it. King Ahab is an example of the latter, husband of the infamous Jezebel.
When Ahab was preparing to go to battle for the city of Ramoth-Gilead, God's prophet Micaiah warned the king that he would die on the battlefield. Despite the forewarning, Kings Ahab and Jehoshaphat assembled their soldiers and moved out. As they neared the city, Ahab's courage failed him. Thinking he could divert attention from himself, Ahab discarded his royal regalia and disguised himself as a common soldier. As predicted, Ahab died on the battlefield. Wounded by a random arrow, he bled to death in his chariot, wearing a disguise rather than his royal robes and insignia. With their king dead, the Israelites withdrew dispiritedly and returned home.
Not unlike Ahab, we have all tried to escape reality with the help of a disguise. We change jobs, move to a new town, even change spouses. Personally, I have used disguises many times in an effort to conceal internal struggles or conflicts. I suspect I am not alone.
Likewise, when facing life's crosswinds, we are tempted to conceal from others, even from ourselves, the struggle going on within us. We worry that admission of fear, weariness, or despair is admission of weakness. When we feel helpless or uncertain, we are inclined to don the disguise of self-confidence and forge ahead with false courage. To do otherwise feels too much like lack of faith.
Clearly, we must always use discretion when opening up to or confiding in other people. How foolish, though, to disguise our struggles from our Creator, foolish and impossible. Jesus, in an expression of deep compassion, said, "Come to me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." To disguise our internal struggles, to deny when we are burdened is to refuse God's promise to help.
The Books of Kings describe the history of the kings of Israel and Judah in the light of God's covenants. The central thesis is that the welfare of Israel and her kings depended on obedience to their obligations under the Mosaic covenant. The kings who receive the most attention in the books seem to be those whose reign either honored God's covenant or breached it. King Ahab is an example of the latter, husband of the infamous Jezebel.
When Ahab was preparing to go to battle for the city of Ramoth-Gilead, God's prophet Micaiah warned the king that he would die on the battlefield. Despite the forewarning, Kings Ahab and Jehoshaphat assembled their soldiers and moved out. As they neared the city, Ahab's courage failed him. Thinking he could divert attention from himself, Ahab discarded his royal regalia and disguised himself as a common soldier. As predicted, Ahab died on the battlefield. Wounded by a random arrow, he bled to death in his chariot, wearing a disguise rather than his royal robes and insignia. With their king dead, the Israelites withdrew dispiritedly and returned home.
Not unlike Ahab, we have all tried to escape reality with the help of a disguise. We change jobs, move to a new town, even change spouses. Personally, I have used disguises many times in an effort to conceal internal struggles or conflicts. I suspect I am not alone.
Likewise, when facing life's crosswinds, we are tempted to conceal from others, even from ourselves, the struggle going on within us. We worry that admission of fear, weariness, or despair is admission of weakness. When we feel helpless or uncertain, we are inclined to don the disguise of self-confidence and forge ahead with false courage. To do otherwise feels too much like lack of faith.
Clearly, we must always use discretion when opening up to or confiding in other people. How foolish, though, to disguise our struggles from our Creator, foolish and impossible. Jesus, in an expression of deep compassion, said, "Come to me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." To disguise our internal struggles, to deny when we are burdened is to refuse God's promise to help.
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