Today’s Devotion
Topic: Don’t Give The Enemy An Inch! – Part 2
(Self Assessment 131)
Background: Today’s Bible study is a continuation of our discussion from last Friday and Saturday. It seeks to reveal how relentless the enemy can be in his quest to destroy the people of God. You remember how Ben-Hadad (King of Aram) laid claims on the silver, gold, wives and children of Ahab (King of Israel). When the latter gave in, Ben-Hadad went on to demand for every other thing they had. But Israel didn’t give in this time, so he threatened war.
But the God of Israel was on their side. He sent a prophet to assure them that He was going to use the young officers of the provincial command to defeat the Aramean army. And He did. The Arameans ran before Israel while Israel advanced and overpowered them. (1 Kings 20: 13- 21). Ben- Hadad restrategised for a second war with Israel but was heavily defeated. This time he is hiding away in an inner room.
Let us see what ensued after Israel’s second victory over the Arameans. Our focus will be on some of the mistakes we make by falling for the tricks and traps of the enemy and signing treaties with him; forgetting that his fight with us is indirectly a confrontation against our great God.
Text: 1 Kings 20: 31- 34
31 His (Ben-Hadad) officials said to him, “Look, we have heard that the kings of Israel are merciful. Let us go to the king of Israel with sackcloth around our waists and ropes around our heads. Perhaps he will spare your life.” 32 Wearing sackcloth around their waists and ropes around their heads, they went to the king of Israel and said, “Your servant Ben-Hadad says: ‘Please let me live.’” The king answered, “Is he still alive? He is my brother.”
33 The men took this as a good sign and were quick to pick up his word. “Yes, your brother Ben-Hadad!” they said. “Go and get him,” the king said. When Ben-Hadad came out, Ahab had him come up into his chariot.
34 “I will return the cities my father took from your father,” Ben-Hadad offered. “You may set up your own market areas in Damascus, as my father did in Samaria.” Ahab said, “On the basis of a treaty I will set you free.” So he made a treaty with him, and let him go. AMEN
Questions:
i. The enemy, instead of giving up the fight and letting Israel be, decided to rather change tactics. What is the new strategy he adopts this time since he lost the first two military confrontations against Israel? (Vrs 31)
ii. Ahab immediately called Ben-Hadad his ‘brother’ when he heard the plea to spare his life. How is this a reflection of how we often carelessly enter into ‘brotherly’ alliances with the same devil who has been seeking to steal, kill and destroy us; just because this time around, he disguised himself as a harmless weakling?
iii. Read vrs 33 again. How does the verse expose another of the enemy’s cunning ways when we offer him a place in our lives though he doesn’t deserve it at all?
iv. Ben-Hadad made Ahab an offer:
a) What offer was it?
b) Did the offer merit the signing of a treaty to let this enemy go unpunished who had caused the destruction of many and defied the God of Israel?
c) What are some of the compromises we make and the treaties we sign with the devil, especially after God has given us victories over him?
d) What do you think Ahab should have done with Ben-Hadad when he came disguised as a humble servant of Ahab to plead for his life?
v. What have you learnt from today’s Bible study?
Next week, we will bring you the concluding part of this series (not today as earlier announced). Our focus will be on God’s reaction to Ahab’s treaty with Ben-Hadad and the lessons we can learn from that.
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