1 Kings 14:1-5: a reflection

1At that time Abijah the son of Jeroboam became sick. 2Jeroboam said to his wife, “Please get up and disguise yourself, so that you won’t be recognized as Jeroboam’s wife. Go to Shiloh. Behold, Ahijah the prophet is there, who said that I would be king over this people. 3Take with you ten loaves of bread, some cakes, and a jar of honey, and go to him. He will tell you what will become of the child.” 4Jeroboam’s wife did so, and arose and went to Shiloh, and came to Ahijah’s house. Now Ahijah could not see, for his eyes were set by reason of his age. 5The LORD said to Ahijah, “Behold, Jeroboam’s wife is coming to inquire of you concerning her son, for he is sick. Tell her such and such; for it will be, when she comes in, that she will pretend to be another woman.”

King Jeroboam's son falls ill, and Jeroboam wants to consult the prophet Ahijah about what will happen. But because Jeroboam has led Israel into sin, he does not want the prophet to know it is his wife who is asking; so he sends her in disguise, dressed as an ordinary woman. It is an elaborate deception. But it is useless: before she even arrives, God tells the aged, blind prophet exactly who is coming and what she will ask. The disguise fools the prophet's eyes, but not God.

Notice the futility of the disguise. Jeroboam went to trouble to conceal his wife's identity, thinking to deceive the prophet; but God saw through it entirely, and told Ahijah in advance. No disguise, no deception, no concealment could hide the truth from God. Jeroboam could fool a blind old man's eyes, but he could not fool the God who sees all; the elaborate pretense was pointless before the One who knew everything already.

That is a truth worth remembering: we cannot disguise ourselves or our intentions before God. We may present a false front to others, conceal our true motives, dress up our intentions to appear other than they are; and we may fool people. But we cannot fool God, who sees through every disguise to the reality beneath. There is no point in pretending before God; he knows us fully already. Do not waste effort trying to hide or disguise yourself before God, presenting a false front as though he could be deceived. Come to him honestly, as one fully known; drop the disguises, for they are useless before the God who sees all. Since you cannot fool him, be honest with him, and with yourself before him.

Lord, when Jeroboam sent his wife in disguise to deceive the prophet, it was useless: you told the blind prophet exactly who was coming and what she would ask. No disguise could hide the truth from you. Remind me that I cannot disguise myself or my intentions before you. I may present a false front to others, conceal my true motives, dress up my intentions to appear other than they are; and I may fool people. But I cannot fool you, who see through every disguise to the reality beneath. There is no point in pretending before you; you know me fully already. Keep me from wasting effort trying to hide or disguise myself before you, presenting a false front as though you could be deceived. Help me come to you honestly, as one fully known; help me drop the disguises, for they are useless before you, who see all. Since I cannot fool you, help me be honest with you, and with myself before you.