1 Kings 13 - The Man of God from Judah

LINK: 1 Kings 13

BACKGROUND

Now we are back to the Jeroboam I, King of Israel (931-910 B.C.). Since we are doing this chronologically, you will need to be switching back and forth between 2 Chronicles and 1 & 2 Kings now. It is really helpful to look at the "Kings of Israel and Judah" link on the upper right-hand side of this blog page.

The anonymous man of God from Judah made a remarkable prophecy that would be fulfilled 290 years later. He prophesied that Josiah, of the house of David, would sacrifice the priests of the high places on the altar in which Jeroboam stood. Josiah reigned from 640-609 B.C. and did just that in 2 Kings 23:15-20! A shriveled hand and split altar confirmed the prophecy as coming from God. Notice that Jeroboam I refers to Yahweh as "your God" and not "my God" when he asks the prophet to ask God to restore his hand. The prophet obeyed God and would not accept Jeroboam's hospitality, but he was seduced (through deception) into disobeying God by an older prophet in Israel. Commentators do not know why this older prophet seduced the anonymous prophet. He must have been an apostate prophet if he was living with an apostate king. The anonymous prophet died and was buried in Israel because he listened to this prophet instead of obeying God.

Despite this doom-filled prophecy, Jeroboam I did not change his evil ways. Stay tuned for the outcome of this poor decision.

No REFLECTION or APPLICATION today. 

Keep reading and try the application from yesterday! It is helpful to listen and obey every day. Try to make it a habit. It is helpful to write down what God tells you, so you do not forget. Since God often says things to me in the shower, I have a shower crayon so that I can write what he tells me on the wall. :) 

PRAYER

Lord, teach us to listen to and be obedient to Your voice above the voice of hearsay. Help us to be discerning and not accept what people say as truth unless it lines up with Your Word. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.