Ahab asked for the truth and he was given it—straight from the mouth of the faithful "Cushite."

The mountains of Bashan rose up in Zedekiah, the palace prophet, and he was driven to violence and blasphemy:

But Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went near, and smote Micaiah on the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of the Lord from me to speak unto thee? (I Kings 22:24)

Ahab and Jehoshaphat went to the battle. Ahab disguised himself but he died at Ramoth Gilead.

And the battle increased that day: and the king was stayed up in his chariot against the Syrians, and died at even: and the blood ran out of the wound into the midst of the chariot. (I Kings 22:35)

This is the end of all who deceive themselves by preferring to listen to the mountains of Bashan.

We can imagine what happened to Zedekiah, the son of Chenaanah, when he attempted to hide himself because Micaiah's word was fulfilled and Zedekiah was revealed as a false prophet.

And Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see in that day, when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself. (I Kings 22:25)

Jesus and the Priests

Christ Himself, the truest of all prophets, the most faithful of all the "Cushites," came to earth. He spoke only the truth—the good and the bad, the positive and the negative, the delightful and the dreadful.

There were numerous peaks of Bashan in those days, as there always have been and always will be until the only lawful King returns with his crucified and risen saints.

The Shechinah of Israel walked the streets of Judaea. The Glory was splendid. It was a foretaste of the day when the Glory of God covers the earth as the waters cover the sea.

The common people heard Him gladly. He healed the sick, cast out demons, raised the dead, and taught the wondrous laws of the Kingdom of God.

Soon the leaders of Israel, the "important" among the people, the guardians of the Law, became aware that this Jesus, this nobody, was being exalted and revered by the multitude.

The priests and elders had striven for many years to gain the preeminence and reverence that came to the Lord Jesus by Divine right.

The mountains of Bashan began to leap with envy.

The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him. (John 12:19)

There have been a number of instances in the world's history when self-seeking people have gone to absurd lengths to protect their position against the encroachments of the truth. Perhaps one of the most remarkable was the attempt of the chief priests to kill Lazarus so people would not realize Jesus had raised him from the dead.

But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus. (John 12:10,11)

To be continued.