Let me first say Merry Christmas to the good people of Aro Kingdom. We return all gratitude to God Almighty, who in His infinite mercies, and powers, have weathered the storms of the challenges of this time; and have preserved us, to celebrate this year’s Christmas with our kith and kin.
While I was considering what I will share with the great citizens of Aro Kingdom this special season, the Lord reminded me, of one of the sermons, preached by our Vicar; in the month of October. One special thing about this sermon is that, it touches on the reality of our society of today, in a special way.
Talking about the society, the Society as we know is, “the aggregate of people living in a more or less ordered community/environment “. On the other hand, “ aggregate is defined as, “ a whole formed by combining several separate elements “. From my little understanding of the two meanings , I can say that a society is a collection of different kinds of human beings, with different idiosyncrasies. A collection of people who vary in understanding, and character. A coming together of the good, the bad, and the ugly.The society can be said to be our country, our community, or our Kingdom. I forgot to also mention that, these human collections are bounded by actions, and activities because, one family is not limited to a particular idiosyncrasy; varieties are always abound.
Now to the special sermon. He titled it “ Prophet 401”; and took his text from 1 Kings Chapter 22. I will paraphrase the story here, and hope that you can make time to read it from the Scripture because I know, it will definitely make more meaning to you.
In this account, King Jehoshaphat visited King Ahab, the King of Israel, who was preparing for war against Aram. He requested that King Jehoshaphat join him against his perceived foes. King Jehoshaphat answered him that, that is not a problem ; after all, Israel, and Judah are one. However, there is every need, for them to seek the counsel of the Lord, if they should go to that war. So, King Ahab summoned 400 Prophets; who prophesied to the him that the Lord will grant them victory when they go against Aram. But King Jehoshaphat was not satisfied that the 400 Prophets prophesying were the same thing. So he asked, “ Is there not a Prophet of the Lord here whom we can inquire of ? “. This simply infers that the 400 Prophets that prophesied victory for them, where not speaking from God, but rather, what the King want to hear .
The King of Israel answered him, “ There is still one man through whom we can inquire of the Lord, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me, but always bad”. Jehoshaphat replied, “The King should not say that “. So, on the prompting of Jehoshaphat, the King of Israel sent his official, to go and bring Micaiah son of Imlah, who is now the Prophet 401.
When the messenger got to Prophet 401, he told him, “ Look, as one the other Prophets are predicting success for the King. Let your word agree with theirs, and speak favorably “. But Micaiah replied, As surely as the Lord lives, I can tell him only what the Lord tells me “. So, when he got there, and the King asked him, if they should go for war? He first aligned to what the other 400 Prophets had earlier said, but the King was not comfortable with his prophecy, because, though he hates him, he however acknowledged that there is something special about him. So he said, “ how many times must I make you swear to tell me nothing but the truth in the name of the Lord ?”Then Prophet 401 said, “ I saw all Israel scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd, and the Lord said, “ These people have no master. …” Then the King of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “ Didn’t I tell you that he never prophesies anything good about me, but bad ? “
The end of this account is that, the King ordered that Prophet 401 be remanded in prison for speaking the truth, until he returns from war. But another truth is that, the prophecy of Prophet 401 , came to pass. The King of Israel never returned from that battle.
It may sound like a boring bible story to some people, but the truth remains that, today, we live in a country , and society , where truth has taken its flee. Some elders, leaders, preachers and stakeholders in our communities are gradually enjoying the tongue- in -cheek game. Looking the other way when evil is being perpetrated is also becoming a norm, or, do I even say a custom? People who are bold, and courageous to speak up the truth like Prophet 401, are hated, and even attacked, physically, and emotionally. The 400 Prophets, who speak what the leaders, congregations, stakeholders , elders and even citizens want to hear, have taken over every available microphones.
Let me dare ask, in your home, society, church and community, is there anything that, as a father, mother, pastor, community leader, stakeholder, elder, etc , that you have failed to do, or say, because, you think you should not be the one to say it ? I want to say that, there are so much that we have closed our eyes to. Which ones have you closed your eyes to? One basic truth is, if we choose to close our eyes here, we shall one day, open them where we don’t have option, but to answer the questions therein.
Do we prefer to play sycophancy, supporters club, etc, so that we will remain in the good books of whoever that is a culprit, and not offend him, or her? Prophet 401 refused to do that. He did not say, “ It is not from me, that the king will hear the truth about his fall”.
Aro has ironically made , O maazam n’onu an axiom- It will not come out from my mouth, I will not be the one to say it. The question is, if it does not come out from your mouth, where else, or whose mouth will it come out from? If you will not be the one to say it, who will ? Some people think that this is a diplomatic approach, or any form of wisdom, but I beg to prove you wrong. The last time I asked, I was told that it is an ironic display of cowardice. Only cowards hide from the truth. Only cowards do things against their will. Only cowards can vote for candidates against their wish in an open ballot. It is said that,” the problems of the society are not the perpetrators of evil, but those who see evil being perpetrated, and look the other way”, Ask yourself, “ am I aiding, or abating evil by any means ?” Though Prophet 401 was imprisoned for saying the truth, it did not stop the manifestation of that truth.
Sometimes, I tell myself that, many people should not have any business going to church. Why? because, if one who hears, and reads the word of God regularly, and even preaches it, turns to see truth as a premium item, then, that person has no business going to church, and even being in leadership positions in the community. A leader must be open to truth always. I have patiently listened to lectures like , “ You shouldn’t have said that. Yes, we know that you are right, but, you shouldn’t have said it. Must you be the one to say it ? There are other ways to handle such people, etc. And I ask, which other ways, or language, is appropriate? If nobody says it , who will say it? Since we have established the first fact that, what was said was right? The controversy here is, we are not supposed to tell our leaders in the church and community, or elders, or even our parents that they are wrong, when we obviously know that they are wrong? Nobody should say anything at all? Isn’t that dangerous?
It is for the fear of Omaazam n’onu, that people will prefer to praise, and hail someone they know, and acknowledge that is not getting it right in his presence, but turns behind to “murder” same person. A case of sin, begetting sin.
Persons who are morally bankrupt have been elected into leadership positions because, o maazam n’onu. Community leaders will comfortably help themselves with public funds, tactically refuse to be accountable, yet, they will be given more responsibilities, because, Oma zam n’onu. Integrity is no longer recognized, while moral bankruptcy is being celebrated. Isn’t it a shame ?
People use their leadership positions to glory in immorality, and we see it as a personal business. No wahala. Young girls now give birth to children, like chicken laying eggs, yet parents and relations are comfortable with it because, omazam n’onu. No wahala.
As I said earlier, O maazam n’onu,is gradually pushing integrity to the back wall . A situation where leaders who are not accountable to their stewardship, can boldly take front seats in public gatherings, call for questions.
Let me close with these. As 2021 ends, and we gloriously match into 2022, dare to be that Prophet 401. Refuse to join the league of sycophants, be bold to declare the truth without insulting anybody. Refuse to form a clique against anybody because, when the time comes, we must answer individually. Have a mind of your own, don’t work, or speak to impress anybody, rather work, and speak to edify the name of God because; ezi ava ka ego (good name is better than silver and gold). Note that the society is a collection of mixed multitude; do not allow yourself to be contaminated by the negative idiosyncrasies of others. Remember that truth cannot be hidden for life, it can only be delayed. Also note that, though the king hated Prophet 401, and even imprisoned him, it did not stall the truth he said. The King never returned from that battle. Our society will surely get better, if we individually become the change we want to see in the society.
May The Lord grant us the boldness to always stand for the truth. Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.
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