Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 13; Psalm 76
At the Lord’s command, a man of God from Judah went to Bethel, arriving there just as Jeroboam was approaching the altar to burn incense. Then at the Lord’s command, he shouted, “O altar, altar! This is what the Lord says: A child named Josiah will be born into the dynasty of David. On you he will sacrifice the priests from the pagan shrines who come here to burn incense, and human bones will be burned on you.” That same day the man of God gave a sign to prove his message. He said, “The Lord has promised to give this sign: This altar will split apart, and its ashes will be poured out on the ground.” – 1 Kings 13:1-3
King Jeroboam did not appreciate the words of the man of God, nor did he fear God enough to respect what the prophet had to say. He stretched out his arm, pointed towards the man of God, and commanded he be seized. Instantly his arm froze in place and he could not pull it back. At the same time, the altar cracked and ashes poured out, just as the man of God said it would.
Jeroboam cried out for the prophet to ask God to restore his hand, and he did. God displayed his power, and then He displayed His grace, yet Jeroboam did not turn from his evil ways. His hand was restored but his heart remained self-seeking.
Just like he had done with the Israelites, Jeroboam attempted to shower the man with hospitality in order to win his loyalty. He invited the man of God to come to the palace for a meal and a gift, but the man refused for the Lord had commanded him not to eat or drink anything while he was there. God had given him specific instructions — to go, do what he had been called to do, and then get back home. He was to avoid distractions and temptation.
AVOID DISTRACTIONS SO THAT YOU CAN STAY FOCUSED ON COMPLETING THE MISSION TO WHICH GOD HAS CALLED YOU.
An old prophet that was living in Bethel heard about Jeroboam’s hand and he rushed to catch up with the man of God. After finding him resting under a tree, he invited him back to his house for a meal. The man of God again denied, for the Lord had specifically commanded him not to eat or drink anything while on this journey. He needed to stay focused on completing the mission in full obedience.
For some unknown reason, the old prophet lied to the man of God next. He told him that an angel had appeared to him, telling him to bring the man of God back to his house for a meal. Something he said must have persuaded the man of God, and he allowed himself to get sidetracked on his journey home. He went to the old prophet’s home and enjoyed a meal.
Then while they were sitting at the table, a command from the Lord came to the old prophet. He cried out to the man of God from Judah, “This is what the Lord says: You have defied the word of the Lord and have disobeyed the command the Lord your God gave you. You came back to this place and ate and drank where he told you not to eat or drink. Because of this, your body will not be buried in the grave of your ancestors.” – 1 Kings 13:20-22
HOW OFTEN DO WE BELIEVE WHAT WE WANT TO BELIEVE RATHER THAN TRUSTING IN THE LAST INSTRUCTIONS THE LORD GAVE US?
How often has someone used the phrase “the Lord told me” on you? How are you supposed to respond? It is wise to ask the Lord for discernment. If what someone is saying is a direct contradiction to what God has commanded of you in scripture or through a word you have received from Him, it is wise to remain committed to obedience.
On his way home, a lion attacked the man of God and killed him. The old prophet retrieved his body, which the lion had left intact, and buried the man of God, grieving his death.
As I read this bizarre story in 1 Kings 13, I asked God what I am supposed to do with this passage. I found myself questioning how God could allow the audacity of a king who had experienced God’s power firsthand (literally), yet refused to turn from his wicked ways, while responding with a death sentence to the man of God who chose to believe the lie of the old prophet. So out of these three men in the story, the idolator and the liar get to live, and the man of God has to die. What do we do with this?
HOW ARE WE SUPPOSED TO RESPOND WHEN WE DO NOT SEE GOD MOVING AS WE EXPECT HIM TO?
We are ALL called to obedience — kings, prophets, messengers, and everyone in between. God is calling all of us to the kind of relationship where we respond in submission and love to what God is asking of us. No one gets a pass, and no unrepentant heart will be rewarded for their denial of the lordship of Christ. When we do not see the hand of God responding to the injustices in this world, He is asking us to trust His heart and His timing.
Make vows to the Lord your God, and keep them.
Let everyone bring tribute to the Awesome One. – Psalm 76:11
Father, help us to be consistent in our walk with you. May our private life match our public ministry so that you are glorified through our lives. Give us discernment to know when you are speaking into our lives through other people and when we need to block out the opinions and thoughts of others. Thank you for being a God who allows us to bring our questions to you, and a God we can trust as we leave our questions at your feet. Amen.