1 Kings 13
Pastor Mark Hudson
Here is a chapter where the reader has questions at every turn, but few answers are given. This chapter continues the idolatry we find in chapter 12. But as Jeroboam begins his idolatrous worship a prophet from Judah rebukes his entire plan. The prophet prophesies of the coming King and names him! Then the prophet tells Jeroboam that this altar will be destroyed, and the ashes poured out. Basically, all that Jeroboam is doing will come to naught. This is the ministry of a prophet.
After a God-ordained paralysis, and a prayer of restoration, the king is rebuked again. The prophet refuses to come and eat with him due to God’s specific command. As we read of the next lying prophet, it becomes apparent that the theme of this section is the word of God. Nine times we read of the word of Yahweh (vs. 1, 2, 5, 9, 17, 18, 20, 26, 32). Then add these phrases, what Yahweh ‘spoke’ (vs. 3, 26) or what Yahweh ‘commanded’ (vs. 9, 21).
For some reason, the first prophet is bold as a lion rebuking the king publicly, but does cave when the other prophet tells him he received a word from an angel that contradicts God’s word to the first prophet. So, the prophet eats and drinks. While it is clearly a challenge to not eat or drink, he had to walk about 7 miles so he could have made it. Why the second prophet lies we can only guess.
Then the lying prophet receives a word from God telling the first prophet that God will judge him so we will not be buried in ‘the tomb of your fathers.’ To show his death is God’s judgment, the lion kills the prophet but does not eat the body nor attempt to kill the donkey. Strangely, to underscore divine judgment, the prophet’s body just lies there with the lion looking at both the donkey and the dead man.
Looking at Jeroboam, he would fit right into many churches in North America. He created his own worship that ‘he had devised from his own heart’ 12:33. Oprah would love that. What freedom! What ingenuity! Surely that is the way to attract young people to our church. But when Jeroboam did hear the word of God, he severely resisted it. He did not want, nor did he want others to hear God’s word. God is distant to him. He says in v. 6, “Entreat now the favor of the Lord your God” as if Jeroboam did not claim God as his own. Then in the next verse, instead of repenting, he wants to reward the very person Jeroboam earlier tried to kill.
This first prophet is more of an enigma. He is bold and obeys God . . . until he doesn’t. He delivers a message that almost got him killed. Hungry and thirsty, he refuses to dine with the king. Another example of obedience. But then when the second prophet speaks spiritual gooble de gook (a Hebrew word you wouldn’t understand), he decides to defy God as he tosses God’s word aside. The prophet knew the command since he repeated it twice. He still disobeyed. So, he meets an untimely death. If you teach that word, that is an honor and privilege. But one can’t simply teach the word. You have to obey the word. This is the essence of knowing and loving God. There is no substitute for loving and obeying God. Both go together.
The second ‘lying’ prophet is also hard to understand. Was he actively serving God? He may not have rebuked Jeroboam. Maybe he wanted to stay alive fearing the king’s wrath. If he is a true prophet, he had an obligation to rebuke Jeroboam. Maybe he did but it is not stated. Clearly, he should not have lied to the prophet. But after hearing that the prophet was given a command by God he lies for some reason. Yet, God still speaks through him. He lies, is given a prophecy, and cares for the body of the man of God from Judah. The word of the Lord does not lay heavy on him either.
We need to be very careful if we are talking about the Word, teaching the Word but still full of pride, anger, bitterness, passion, and love anything more than God. We always stand under the Word. We try to understand the Word by submitting to the One who wrote it or standing under God. We ask the Spirit to enlighten our minds when we read, study, or hear the word. We seek to be mastered by the word and by the One who inspired the Biblical authors.
Like these various responses we can also set aside what we know. Mark Twain reportedly said, “Most people are bothered by those passages of Scripture which they cannot understand; but as for me, I have always noticed that the passages of Scripture which trouble me most are those which I do understand.” We are people of the Book. But if that Book is from God, God is not really into changing His views on marriage, abortion, sexual perversion, deceit, etc. He is a God who commands, not merely suggests.
Take a look at your own life right now. Are you giving time to the Word? Are you seriously trying to obey God or are you focused on other things? Are you learning more, and do you see a hunger in your own life for God? If you search for the truth, God will show you if you are honestly seeking and examining yourself. If you know you are not seeking God, start today.
Dear heavenly Father, You talk, command, warn, comfort, remind, and encourage. We need to heed all Your words because everything you say is true and right. You speak for our good and Your glory, yet we resist Your Holy Spirit thinking you don’t want us to experience joy or true fulfillment. We can hear Your Word one day and disregard You the next. Keep us diligent, ever vigilant over our hearts that we listen to obey. Forgive us and dig out our ears so we can listen to You when You speak.