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Which Way Did He Go? The Disobedient Prophet
Which Way Did He Go? The Disobedient Prophet
First Kings 13 is one of the most puzzling chapters in the Bible, but becomes clearer when we realize the comparison is not between the man of God and the old prophet, but the man of God and King Jeroboam.
In this story, God tore ten tribes of Israel away from the house of David (1 Kings 11). God chose Jeroboam to lead those tribes and promised him success if he would simply be faithful. Sadly, King Jeroboam proved fleshly-minded and unfaithful, setting up Bethel and Dan as unauthorized places of worship for God’s people (1 Kings 12). God sent a man of God to travel up from Judah to confront King Jeroboam. “While he was standing by the altar,” the man of God “cried” out against and destroyed his sinful altar. King Jeroboam wished to spend time with this man of God, but he refused because God had commanded him: go to Bethel, leave immediately by a different route, don’t eat or drink.
Then, in 13:11-19, an old prophet of Bethel chases down the man of God. He invites him home. When he refuses, the old prophet lies, saying God told him to bring him home. So, the man of God accompanies him to eat. But suddenly, “as they were sitting down at the table,” the old prophet “cried” out against the man of God a message from God, that He would punish his disobedience, and his body would never make it into the grave of his people. The man of God borrowed a donkey and departed, but sure enough, a lion killed him on his way.
Now, it’s certainly fair to pick up a few lessons about messages from God. Old prophets who should be worthy of respect can lie to advance their career; let us stay true to God’s word no matter who claims to have new revelation from God (Gal. 1:6-9). But if this is the main point, we are left unsatisfied, without a lot of help determining how to actually distinguish false messages from true. Besides, the old prophet of Bethel is never judged for his lie!
Look at the story again. The man of God material (13:1-32) appears right smack in the middle of the King Jeroboam material (12:25-33, 13:33-34). The old prophet of Bethel is largely a bystander to the real action; his main purpose is to bear witness to how the man of God illustrates King Jeroboam. The man of God, who was appointed by God and who initially carried out God’s word, later turned from God’s way and was judged harshly. King Jeroboam, who was appointed by God and who initially carried out God’s word, must now consider the cost of turning from God’s way. Sadly, “after this event, Jeroboam did not return from his evil way” (13:33-34) and led Israel deeper into sin. Soon, the prophet Ahijah announced that the bones of Jeroboam would not come to the grave (14:12-13). We see that God’s anointed can become God’s target if he doesn’t remain obedient!
What’s the takeaway? The man of God was an object lesson to Jeroboam of God’s power to keep His word. If God always upholds His word, where do you want to be in relation to it? If God says, “worship with fear,” then shows you Nadab and Abihu, you should obey. If God says, “be faithful,” then shows you the walls of Jericho, you should obey. If God says, “salvation is in Christ,” then shows you the Ethiopian eunuch, you should obey.
At least see glimpses of God’s kindness toward the man of God. The lion does not devour but guards his body; the old prophet provides him an honorable burial; his legacy is honored by King Josiah three centuries later (2 Kings 23:15-18). In a sense, he gave his life (though not without fault) so that Israel might see the consequences of sin, and so that God’s name might be glorified. Perhaps he anticipates another Man of God mounted on a donkey, this Man without fault, who gave his life so that Israel might see the consequences of sin, and so that God’s name might be glorified. This Man would provide not just a warning of judgment, but the hope of eternal life. --John Guzzetta
