What does 2 Chronicles 18:21 mean?
"And he said, I will go out, and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And the LORD said, Thou shalt entice him, and thou shalt also prevail: go out, and do even so." - 2 Chronicles 18:21
2 Chronicles 18:21 (KJV) reads, "And he said, I will go out, and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And the Lord said, Thou shalt entice him, and thou shalt also prevail: go out, and do even so."
This verse comes from the Old Testament of the Bible, specifically in the book of 2 Chronicles. It is part of a larger narrative that tells the story of King Ahab of Israel seeking the advice of the prophets before going to war against Ramoth-Gilead. Ahab's prophets told him he would be successful in battle, but Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, had doubts and requested to hear from a prophet of the Lord. Ahab reluctantly summoned Micaiah, who prophesied that Ahab would be defeated and killed in battle. This verse is part of Micaiah's response to Ahab's question about how the prophets had come to their unanimous decision.
The context of this verse is a powerful and cautionary tale about the dangers of false prophecy and the consequences of ignoring the word of the Lord. Ahab's prophets were motivated by their desire to please the king, rather than to speak truthfully on behalf of God. Micaiah, on the other hand, spoke the truth despite the personal risk, and ultimately, his prophecy was fulfilled.
The verse reveals several important themes that are also present throughout the Bible. One of these themes is the sovereignty of God. The fact that God allowed a lying spirit to deceive Ahab's prophets shows that God is in control of all things, even using deceptive spirits to accomplish His purposes. This serves as a reminder that God is ultimately in charge, and His will cannot be thwarted by human or spiritual forces.
Another important theme in this verse is the consequences of false prophecy. Ahab's choice to listen to the false prophets and disregard the true word of the Lord had dire consequences for both him and his people. This serves as a powerful warning to all believers about the dangers of being led astray by false teachings and the importance of discerning and following the truth.
The verse also highlights the presence of spiritual warfare. The lying spirit in the mouths of the prophets is indicative of the ongoing battle between good and evil in the spiritual realm. It reminds believers that they are engaged in a spiritual warfare and need to be vigilant in discerning the spirits and standing firm in the truth.
Furthermore, the symbolism in this verse is profound. The lying spirit represents the deceit and falsehood that permeates the world. It serves as a reminder that believers should not be easily swayed by smooth words or empty promises, but instead, should seek discernment and hold fast to the truth of God's Word.
In conclusion, 2 Chronicles 18:21 is a powerful and thought-provoking verse that encompasses profound themes such as the sovereignty of God, the consequences of false prophecy, the presence of spiritual warfare, and the symbolism of deceit. It serves as a cautionary tale and a reminder for believers to stay grounded in the truth of God's Word and to be discerning in the face of deceit and falsehood. It also highlights the importance of standing firm in faith, even in the face of opposition or personal risk.
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2 Chronicles 18:21 - "And he said, I will go out, and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And the LORD said, Thou shalt entice him, and thou shalt also prevail: go out, and do even so."
"And he said, I will go out, and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And the LORD said, Thou shalt entice him, and thou shalt also prevail: go out, and do even so." - 2 Chronicles 18:21
2 Chronicles 21:18 - "¶ And after all this the LORD smote him in his bowels with an incurable disease."
"¶ And after all this the LORD smote him in his bowels with an incurable disease." - 2 Chronicles 21:18
2 Chronicles 18:9
2 Chronicles 18:9
2 Chronicles 20:21
2 Chronicles 21:9
2 Chronicles 20:18
1 Chronicles 21:18 - "¶ Then the angel of the LORD commanded Gad to say to David, that David should go up, and set up an altar unto the LORD in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite."
2 Chronicles 4:21 - "And the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs, made he of gold, and that perfect gold;"
2 Kings 14:18 - "And the rest of the acts of Amaziah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"
2 Chronicles 18:1 - "Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance, and joined affinity with Ahab."
1 Chronicles 18:2 - "And he smote Moab; and the Moabites became David's servants, and brought gifts."
2 Kings 15:21 - "¶ And the rest of the acts of Menahem, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?"
2 Chronicles 24:21 - "And they conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of the LORD."
2 Chronicles 17:18 - "And next him was Jehozabad, and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war."
2 Chronicles 18:6 - "But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we might enquire of him?"
2 Chronicles 18:28 - "So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth-gilead."
2 Chronicles 23:21 - "And all the people of the land rejoiced: and the city was quiet, after that they had slain Athaliah with the sword."
2 Chronicles 21:8 - "¶ In his days the Edomites revolted from under the dominion of Judah, and made themselves a king."
2 Chronicles 18:20-21 - "Then there came out a spirit, and stood before the Lord, and said, I will entice him. And the Lord said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go out, and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And the Lord said, Thou shalt entice him, and thou shalt also prevail: go out, and do even so."
2 Chronicles 21:2 - "And he had brethren the sons of Jehoshaphat, Azariah, and Jehiel, and Zechariah, and Azariah, and Michael, and Shephatiah: all these were the sons of Jehoshaphat king of Israel."
2 Chronicles 21:16 - "¶ Moreover the LORD stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines, and of the Arabians, that were near the Ethiopians:"
2 Chronicles 13:21 - "¶ But Abijah waxed mighty, and married fourteen wives, and begat twenty and two sons, and sixteen daughters."
2 Chronicles 18:13 - "And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, even what my God saith, that will I speak."
2 Kings 21:25 - "Now the rest of the acts of Amon which he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"
2 Chronicles 33:21 - "¶ Amon was two and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned two years in Jerusalem."
2 Chronicles 18:8 - "And the king of Israel called for one of his officers, and said, Fetch quickly Micaiah the son of Imla."
2 Chronicles 4:18 - "Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundance: for the weight of the brass could not be found out."