Now, let’s examine another record in Scripture to confirm the way in which God accomplishes His will by His dealings with unbelieving rulers … the story of Ahab.

God predicted King Ahab’s death because of his disobedience. He was instructed to defeat the Arameans and kill their king. However, instead, Ahab saved King Ben-Hadad’s life and made a treaty with him.

1 Kings 20:34 NIV
[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.”

God’s judgment fell on Ahab.

1 Kings 20:42-43 NLT
[42] “The prophet said to him, (Ahab), “This is what the Lord says: Because you have spared the man I said must be destroyed, now you must die in his place, and your people will die instead of his people.” [43] So the king of Israel went home to Samaria angry and sullen.”

After this incident, there followed Ahab’s theft of Naboth’s vineyard, bringing God’s final judgment down on his head.

1 Kings 21:18-19 NLT
[18] “Go down to meet King Ahab of Israel, who rules in Samaria. He will be at Naboth’s vineyard in Jezreel, claiming it for himself. [19] Give him this message: ‘This is what the Lord says: Wasn’t it enough that you killed Naboth? Must you rob him, too? Because you have done this, dogs will lick your blood at the very place where they licked the blood of Naboth!’”

How did God fulfill this prophecy? I Kings 22 tells the story.

Ahab, together with Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, planned a reprisal war against the Arameans.

In order to lure Ahab to his death through a lying spirit, the false prophets of Baal predicted victory against the Arameans. Behind the scenes, God planned, through His divine council, the course and outcome of this battle.

After all the favourable prophecies of victory, God’s prophet, Michaiah, called in to tell the truth about the outcome of this battle, revealed God’s plan to King Ahab and King Jehoshaphat of Judah.

1 Kings 22:17, 19-23 NLT
[17] Then Micaiah told him, “In a vision I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, like sheep without a shepherd. And the Lord said, ‘Their master has been killed. Send them home in peace.’”…

How did the Lord get Ahab to go to war against the Arameans to fulfil this prophecy?

[19] Then Micaiah continued, “Listen to what the Lord says! I saw the Lord sitting on his throne with all the armies of heaven around him, on his right and on his left. [20] And the Lord said, ‘Who can entice Ahab to go into battle against Ramoth-gilead so he can be killed?’ “There were many suggestions, [21] and finally a spirit approached the Lord and said, ‘I can do it!’ [22] “‘How will you do this?’ the Lord asked. “And the spirit replied, ‘I will go out and inspire all of Ahab’s prophets to speak lies.’ ‘You will succeed,’ said the Lord. ‘Go ahead and do it.’ [23] “So you see, the Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouths of all your prophets. For the Lord has pronounced your doom.”

Angry and defiant, Ahab disregarded the prophecy, tried to outwit the Aramean army by disguising himself as an ordinary soldier, and was hit by a random Aramean arrow that pierced him through a joint in his armour, killing him as predicted.

1 Kings 22:29, 34-38 NLT
[29] “So King Ahab of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah led their armies against Ramoth-gilead….
[34] An Aramean soldier, however, randomly shot an arrow at the Israelite troops and hit the king of Israel between the joints of his armor. “Turn the horses and get me out of here!” Ahab groaned to the driver of his chariot. “I’m badly wounded!” [35] The battle raged all that day, and the king remained propped up in his chariot facing the Arameans. The blood from his wound ran down to the floor of his chariot, and as evening arrived he died. [36] Just as the sun was setting, the cry ran through his troops: “We’re done for! Run for your lives!” [37] So the king died, and his body was taken to Samaria and buried there. [38] Then his chariot was washed beside the pool of Samaria, and dogs came and licked his blood at the place where the prostitutes bathed, just as the Lord had promised.”

The conclusion? God did exactly as He predicted through Ahab’s own decision.

And the outcome?

God was glorified – His determined plan in everything He does to accomplish His will on earth in and through people. One thing is sure…

Isaiah 42:8 NIV
[8] “I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols.”

What of South Africa?

I see two things happening in the current scene. The whole world is watching little, insignificant South Africa because of two things…

First, South Africa’s case against Israel at the ICJ.

Egged on and paid for by Iran, so it is alleged, South Africa initiated a massive attack on Israel through the International Court of Justice, sparking global outrage against Israel. Bad decision!

Second, South Africa’s insane internal policies, for example, its NHI plan, its Expropriation Without Compensation (EWC) bill, and its foreign policies, alienating the west, especially the USA, and climbing into bed with pro-terrorist countries like Russia, China, and Middle Eastern nations has angered our allies.

Third, by alienating our country from our historical allies, the ruling party is setting us up for isolation from Western trading partners.

With the spotlight on South Africa, God can show the world what He will do with arrogant, stubborn rulers who are espoused to demonic spirits and who refuse to listen to reason and wisdom.

Just as Pharoah entrenched his antagonism towards the Israelites, so our leaders are entrenching their policies against Israel and the poor masses in South Africa, enriching themselves through corruption instead of taking care of the nation.

God’s ultimate plan is twofold, to destroy the gods of the nation and to reveal His glory to the whole world by destroying its wicked rulers just as He did to Egypt and King Ahab.

Habakkuk 2:14 NIV
[14] “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.”

To be continued…