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SATAN’S STRATAGEM TO DECEIVE AHAB
IN order to have a correct view of Scripture truths, we must consider particularly the style in which the Scriptures are written. They are accommodated to the weak apprehensions of fallen man. Hence in various descriptions of the Deity, he is represented as having eyes and ears and hands, and as deliberating and acting according to circumstances, just as if he were a man like unto us. But we must not therefore conceive of him as a man, but only as ordering his dispensations towards us with unerring wisdom. In like manner he is represented in the text as holding a conference with Satan, and as adopting a plan proposed by him for the effecting of purposes originating with himself. But we must not therefore suppose that God did not know how to effect his own purposes without any help from Satan: we must only understand that God overruled the devices of that wicked fiend for the accomplishment of his own will.
Indeed the particular representation here given, has an evident reference to what had actually taken place between the two confederate kings. They had put on their royal robes, and seated themselves on thrones in the midst of all their courtiers [Note: ver. 10.], in order to receive the counsel of the prophets respecting the projected war: and, agreeably to that, the prophet represents the Deity as enthroned amidst all the heavenly hosts, and holding a counsel with them about the best method of inflicting on Ahab his deserved punishment. It is not intended that we should construe this literally, as if all these questions and answers were really uttered by the different parties in a public assembly; but merely that God determined to make the designs of Ahab the means of his destruction.
There is however one point which may obviously be collected from this account, namely, the power of Satan to deceive men; and it will form a very profitable subject for our present consideration. Let us then inquire into,
I. The sources of his power—
Satan has from the beginning been the great deceiver of mankind. But whence has he this power to deceive? We answer,
1. From his having so many other spirits under his command—
[The fallen angels are many in number, and so numerous, that one single person possessed by devils called Himself “Legion,” because of the exceeding greatness of the number that dwelt within him. Of these there are different ranks and orders, just as there are of the good angels; and they are all united under one head, even “Beelzebub, the prince of the devils.” Of Ahab’s prophets there were four hundred; and, through the influence of one spirit, they were all possessed by spirits perfectly united with each other for the accomplishment of one end. Now this gives them an immense advantage. Had there been but one, or only a few, we might have hoped to escape their notice, or be visited by them but seldom: but there is reason to believe that they are immensely more numerous than the human race, so that there is not a human being that is not infested with them, nor a moment of time when they are not ready to take advantage of us.]
2. From his wisdom and subtlety—
[” The serpent was the most subtle of the brute creation,” and was therefore made use of by Satan as an instrument whereby to deceive our first parents: and in reference to that event, Satan is called “that old serpent, the Devil [Note: Rev_12:9.].” Of his subtlety there is much spoken in the Holy Scriptures. Like a fowler he spreads his net, and “takes men alive in his snare [Note: 2Ti_2:26. The Greek.]:” and so deep are his “wiles” and “devices,” that no human wisdom can fathom them, no human sagacity escape them. As a spirit, he is a pure intelligence, like the holy angels, disrobed indeed of his holiness, but not of his intellectual powers. He knows what is suited to the dispositions of men, and what is most likely to prevail with them under all the circumstances wherein they are placed. In his assaults on our blessed Lord, he seized the moment most favourable for his purpose, and urged the temptations most likely to prevail: and it is reasonable to suppose, that the experience of six thousand years has contributed not a little to his proficiency and advancement in every species of guile.]
3. From his easy access to the minds of men—
[A material being would have found difficulty in presenting himself to men on many occasions: but an immaterial or spiritual being finds no obstacles, except what arise from the internal principles of those whom he would assault. He has access to one as well as another at all times. What an immense advantage does this give him! Indeed, if it were not that we have good angels also attendant on us and ministering unto us, and, above all, that we have the Spirit of the living God continually dwelling in us for the express purpose of counteracting and defeating his influence, we could have no hope whatever of escaping from his toils.]
4. From the number and influence of his confederates—
[There is not a wicked man in the universe who is not actuated by him, and made subservient to his designs: from all of them therefore he derives much support; but especially from those, whose situation in life gives them greater sway over the public mind. If he can prevail on a prince or monarch to exert his influence, he will gain a rapid ascendency over a whole kingdom. The instant that Jeroboam set up his golden calves, the whole people of Israel “willingly ran after his commandment.” And if he can prevail on those in the prophetic office to sanction error by their preaching, or iniquity by their conduct, he will easily draw in their train the great mass of their followers. The text shews us how the united testimony of four hundred prophets deceived even the pious Jehoshaphat: and the more pretensions to piety such prophets make, the more useful to Satan will their labours be; since he never exerts himself with more effect than when he “transforms himself into an angel of light [Note: 2Co_11:13-15.].”]
5. From the willingness of men to be deceived—
[This perhaps is the greatest source of his power. Men are not impartial judges of good and evil, or of truth and error: their judgment is warped: they have corrupt inclinations which bias them [Note: Isa_44:20; Jer_8:5; Jer_9:6.]: their own “heart is deceitful and desperately wicked:” and hence, when Satan has undertaken to assault them, he finds traitors in their own bosoms ready to open the gates to him, and to admit him into the very citadel, before they are aware of his approach. The truth of this is manifested whenever an attempt is made to suppress evil or inculcate good. We see in a moment to which side men lean, and that arguments are weighed, not according to their real solidity, but according to the aspect they bear on our favourite propensities. Of course, this is extremely favourable to the interests of Satan, who needs only to present things to us in a specious view, and is sure beforehand that we shall be as ready to comply with his temptations, as he is to solicit our compliance. The case of Ahab is one of daily occurrence: thousands there are who hate the light, and say to their ministers, “Prophesy unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits [Note: Jer_5:31.].” It is obvious therefore that Satan finds in the very dispositions of men the most successful advocate, and able coadjutor.]
Having seen the sources of his power to deceive, we proceed to point out,
II. The limits—
Doubtless his power is inconceivably great, since he deceived man even in his state of innocence, and from that time has “deceived the whole world [Note: Rev_12:9.].” But his power is limited,
1. In its duration—
[Satan shall not always have the ascendant that he now has: there is a time coming, (and, we hope, at no great distance now,) when he shall “be bound, and deceive the nations no more for the space of a thousand years [Note: Rev_20:1-3; Rev_20:7.].” What a blessed period will that be! What peace, and joy, and holiness will abound in the Church, when that wicked fiend shall cease from defiling and troubling the souls of men [Note: Zec_14:20-21 with Isa_30:26; Isa_60:19-22.]! — — — O that the happy period were arrived! May “God hasten it in his time!”]
2. In its objects—
[Wide as his influence is, it is not universal; for God has delivered his chosen people from his malignant influence. We say not indeed that there are any so delivered, but that they need to be continually on their guard against him [Note: Zec_4:1; Mat_26:41; 2Co_11:3.]. But our Lord has assured us, that “it is not possible for him to deceive the elect [Note: Mat_24:24.]:” and the reason of this is, that God has discovered to them his devices [Note: 2Co_2:11.], — — — and armed them against his assaults [Note: Eph_6:11.], — — — and engaged to “guide them by his counsel, till he receives them to glory [Note: Psa_73:24.].” — — — A further reason is, that Jesus, our all-prevailing Advocate, “intercedes for them, that their faith may not fail [Note: Luk_22:31-32.]:” and hence it was, that, whilst “Satan desired to have Peter, as well as Judas, to sift him as wheat,” he could prevail over him only for a season; so that Peter rose again and overcame him, whilst Judas hanged himself, and became the everlasting prey of the destroyer.]
3. In its operations—
[Satan could only “persuade” Ahab; he could not compel him; nor can he influence any man in opposition to his own will. He is “a roaring lion;” and all before him are but as lambs: yet in prosecuting his malignant purposes against them, he destroys those only “whom he may devour,” not those whom he would [Note: 1Pe_5:8.]. This is a most encouraging circumstance: for, if only we cry to God for grace to desire, and strength to do, his will, we may defy all the hosts of hell: such resistance overcomes Satan, and makes him flee [Note: 1Pe_5:9 and Jam_4:7.]. No fiery dart that he can cast at us will pierce the shield of faith; nor all his skill enable him to withstand the sword of the Spirit [Note: Eph_6:16-17.], when wielded by a believing hand — — —]
Advice—
1. Guard against obstinacy in sin—
[A wilful perseverance in sin constrains God to give men over to their own lusts [Note: Psa_81:11-12; Rom_1:24; Rom_1:26; Rom_1:28; Isa_66:4.], and to leave them in the hands of their great adversary. To what a fearful extent God will proceed against us in this way, we cannot even read without horror [Note: 2 These. 2:11, 12.]. Beloved Brethren, let me entreat you not so to provoke your God, as to bring upon yourselves this fearful curse. If once God say, “He is joined to idols, let him alone [Note: Hos_4:17; Hos_9:12.],” it were better for you that you had never been born.]
2. Seek an interest in the Lord Jesus Christ—
[Christ has vanquished that great enemy of God and man, agreeably to what was foretold to man in Paradise [Note: Gen_3:15.]: in the garden, and upon the cross, he vanquished him [Note: Mat_4:10; Col_2:15.]; and he has engaged to “bruise him under our feet [Note: Rom_16:20.].” Seek then an interest in his death, to ransom you; in his intercession, to preserve you; and in his grace, to strengthen you: so shall you “be more than conquerors through Him that loved you,” and shall enjoy the fruits of victory in heaven, when “the deceiver of mankind shall be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone” to receive the due reward of his exertions in everlasting torment [Note: Rev_20:10.].]