After this event Jeroboam did not return from his evil way, but again he made priests of the high places from among all the people; any who would, he ordained, to be priests of the high places. (verse 33)
Message: A Disobedient Prophet
Time: The author of 1&2 Kings (originally 1 book) is not known. First Kings follows the history of this divided kingdom from the death of David around 971 BC through the year 853 BC. First Kings reveals Solomon’s relationship with Yahweh and introduces the prophet Elijah who pronounces judgment on the evil northern king Ahab. Like other books, it helps us to understand the history of Israel and Judah.
What the Lord is Saying: Jeroboam sought an alternative for his people, setting up places to worship God, crafting golden calves. At this time in history, worship and sacrifice was to occur at the temple. The people of Israel had planned to go to Jerusalem but he gave them another way. But the text doesn't say that he consulted God on this. He came up with a different way and possibly a way where he could kept control. Verse 1 of chapter 13 mentions a man of God coming to Jeroboam. He is unnamed. His mission is to speak from the word of the Lord (a prophet), to confront the unauthorized worship taking place at Bethel. The man speaks of Josiah coming in the future (prophecy); one who will come and restore and deal with these false forms of worship (verse 2). It is made clear that the altar set up will be split and the ashes of the sacrifices will be rejected (verse 3).
Jeroboam didn't like what was being said and told his guards to seize the man but in the process Jeroboam's hand withered and he could not complete his plan (verse 4). Instead the altar was split and ashes spilled out (verse 5). Jeroboam's cries out for mercy that the man of God would intercede and restore his hand (verse 6). Jeroboam asks the man to have a meal, but the man says the word of the Lord said to him, "You shall eat no bread, nor drink water, no return by the way which you came" (v. 7-9); he was to have nothing to do with Jeroboam. Instead he returned home a different way (v.10).
A different, old prophet, was told of what had occurred by this unnamed man by his son and so the old prophet went after this man, confronted him, to have him come back with him, but the unnamed prophet refused citing what he had told Jeroboam, but this old prophet said an angel of the Lord spoke to him telling him to come to his house and the unnamed prophet did (verse 11-19). Then a word came from the Lord to the old prophet of the unnamed man being disobedient to the Lord in coming back with him. The man saddled him a donkey and on the way back a lion met him and killed him and this was told to the old prophet (v. 20-25). The old prophet had him men retrieve the body and he brought it back and buried it in his grave and said that when he dies he wants to be buried in the same grave - "lay my bones beside his bones (v. 26-31).
And "Jeroboam did not return from his evil way" (verse 33).
This is a strange story and unsure its significance. There is a word of the Lord spoken by the first prophet - and his outcry that Jeroboam had committed false worship seems reasonable. But the idea that another prophet would lead him astray and then be killed, while the other prophet remains alive seems odd.
I think the lesson here is once hearing from the Lord we must be very careful when hearing someone else speak a new word that contradicts the previous word. God can make new covenants with His people. But I think in those instances, we need to consider all of the evidence with those new words. The first prophet too quickly had his mind changed. There really was no reason for this old prophet to go after the first prophet so it is an odd story. The loss of life was the result. And it is hard for me to understand why this prophet must be killed. Disobeying God at these times often resulted in end of life. And often stating it from the Lord. That is hard to reconcile.
Summary: A prophet is sent to speak judgment toward Jeroboam's alternative worship plans for his people. In returning home, the prophet is taken off course by another man which eventually results in his death from that disobedience.
Promise: Be very careful about being led off course from an original word from the Lord.
Prayer: God, you are Holy. I am not. But Lord, I am not understanding this passage and why it is in the Bible and what it means to me. I read explanations and yet I am not sure of the application. It seems that when you give me a Word that I need to be careful of anyone changing my mind. In this passage, the simple changing of one's mind led to an untimely death. I don't see those radical outcomes today. Thus, it is hard to make sense of these words. But, perhaps I need not get too hung up on this passage. It definitely should not change my mind - long-term - even if I found it contradictory. It is one passage of many in the Bible and overall your message remains clear, but if there is a word of promise or teaching that is clear, show it to me. Thank you for listening.
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