Thus and Thus You Shall Say to Her

2026-10-09

1 Kings 14:5 And the Lord said to Ahijah, “Behold, the wife of Jeroboam is coming to inquire of you concerning her son, for he is sick. Thus and thus shall you say to her.”

This was meant for yesterday, 8th September 2026. I didn’t feel like I had much to write from 1 Kings 14, and this happens to be more of a brief personal reflection than it is an exhortation like most previous devotionals have been. When Jeroboam sends his wife to prophet Ahijah to consult him about their sick child, God instructs the blind prophet beforehand of the King’s wife’s coming, and tells him what he is to say to her: thus and thus you shall say to her.

I think this to be especially important considering the errand on which Jeroboam had sent his wife. The boy was sick and they must have been hoping for a good word from, and healing perhaps by the prophet. Jeroboam, who had been so disobedient and had turned an idol-worshipper now remembered that there had been a prophet who promised him that he would be king (1 Kings 14:2). In the face of such an urgent and desperate consultation, the prophet had to be keen to say only what God told him to say. He was not to look pitifully at the sick child and on that account declare Jeroboam’s house forgiven after all his grave sins.

Often when we seek counsel, and especially when we need it desperately, we usually have a vague idea of what we want told us. A mother with a sick child in her hands would be so glad for the assurance that the child will live, and she might be tempted to seek out the kind of prophet who would tell her exactly that, even if it is a lie. But anyone who speaks for God does not do so to please the inquirer, he must speak exactly as God has spoken to him, never adding to the words or subtracting from them. He must give the bad news even if it will displease the king and put the messenger’s life in danger, as was often the case with the prophet Jeremiah.

To have no clear counsel from the Lord is of course another matter, and no one should ever say ‘thus says the Lord’ when the Lord hasn’t said anything at all. Adding that suffix at the end of our own words does not miraculously make them God’s words. Here we must follow Paul’s example when he openly wrote in 1 Corinthians 7:25, “Now concerning the betrothed, I have no command from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy.” Counsellors, Pastors, and Teachers, if God gives an instruction, relay it as it is, without mincing words, and if he appears to be silent about a matter, humbly say so. Still, with no such direct command, you may be required, like Paul, as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy, to give your judgement.

Prayer:

Omniscient and all-glorious God, while we might be blind, you are not. You see all things, know all men, and understand all matters. Thank you for the noble office you have granted our teachers, pastors, and counsellors. Often, the temptation would be to speak more in line with the plight of the seeker than with faithful commitment to what you say. Forgive our presumption and disobedience concerning this matter. Help us by your grace to always be close to you in order to know your will and hear you clearly when you speak to us, so that we might always have something to say to those who consult us. In Jesus Name. Amen.