1st Kings 13 CHANGING TIMES It is inevitable as generations pass, things that were once practiced and believed, are no longer considered important or even necessary by the new generation and the society in which they live. Those who know the Lord, follow Him and are guided by the Holy Spirit through the word of God, cannot follow the path of society if it discards and disregards God's word. The Lord sent a prophet, a man of God from Judah, to Jeroboam with a prophetic message. Even as he told the message, the altar split and the ashes poured as a foreshadowing of the long-term prophecy three hundred years later. God knows what is going on now in our lives and is able to give indications of the seriousness of sin to us even before the main event takes place.
There had been no miracles recorded since the time of Samuel, but in this chapter a number of miracles took place authenticating the prophetic words that revealed God's displeasure at what was happening among His people. Jeroboam's arm stuck out like a stick and his hand shriveled up as the altar broke and the ashes spilled on the ground. When a person thinks they are in control of a situation, they need to be sure they have not imposed their own will and way into an area of service God has not given them. To change divine orders and to insert man's ideas into the worship of the Lord is almost like daring God to do something about it. God has His own way of dealing with those who would usurp His authority.
In grace God listened to His man who interceded for Jeroboam. Jeroboam knew who "the Lord your God" was, and also knew he was out of line with the Lord. The healing response from the Lord should have moved Jeroboam to repentance. Perhaps his invitation to the prophet to come to his home was an attempt to regain the prestige he would have lost with the people when his withered hand stuck out in front of him on his stiffened arm. Even when consequences follow bad judgment and wrong choices, it is hard for us to admit our guilt, and humble ourselves in true repentance that brings correction and change. If the invitation was accepted it would have indicated that everything was alright. Outward actions and forms do not always indicate inward repentance and change. That is evident when guilt and wrong are admitted and forsaken. How displeasing it is to God when apostate worship takes place at the house of God!!
The "old prophet in Bethel" probably had proclaimed God's word faithfully in times past, but he remained in Bethel where he was content to be associated with the changing practices of the changing times. He no longer spoke for God and was willing to lie to the man of God from Judah to undermine the message God had given. When our work for the Lord makes people uncomfortable, we need to be on our guard. There are those who are willing to deceive those who want what is right by claiming the authority of age and experience. Any contradictory message that comes from the position of "I think," one's imagination, or "that will make the people uncomfortable," needs to be carefully examined in the light of "thus saith the Lord," in the scriptures of truth. All the man of God said and did at Bethel was negated when he disobeyed God's instructions. His public act for personal interest undermined the respect for the divine authority behind all he had said and done. We must disregard what others claim to be messages from God if it contradicts what the Bible says. Avoid hearsay and trust the word of God.
What a startling awakening it must've been when the old lying prophet predicted what would happen to him because of disobedience to the word of the Lord. In changing times, the responsibilities to "try the spirits" or "test the teachings" of others is of great importance. How important it is that we take seriously all that God says, even when something is taught by an apparently spiritual believer that goes against the tried and proven instructions of the word of God.
The old prophet knew how far he had strayed, so when he buried the one who had delivered a true message but failed personally, he gave instructions to bury him beside that man. He had delivered a lying message and wanted to be known as one who was true personally. There is really no way to make amends for deliberate and fatal deception. The practice of lying and deception has become very common, and even acceptable, in these changing times. One's word cannot be relied on for the most part, and one's handshake and promise to most people is not binding.
Jeroboam's disobedience brought the downfall of spiritual worship in the northern kingdom of Israel. The evil practices he had started, he continued, even after the miracle of the withered hand and stiff arm, and the recovery. Instead of Levites only as priests, he allowed anyone who wanted to be a priest, to take a counterfeit priesthood. In these changing times many "choose to be a minister" rather than being set apart by the Lord "for the work that is set before them." In such cases, those people have made the work of the Lord a person's own chosen occupation instead of a "call from God."
1Kings 13:8. “And the man of God said unto the king, if thou wilt give me half thine house, I will not go in with thee, neither will I eat bread in this place:”
CONFLICTING MESSAGES. I must always remember God does not change Even His Word is settled forever. Sometimes His commands to others seems strange To alter them in any way I must never For any reason attempt to change it for any other Person who gives a conflicting message – It would be wrong – even though he is a brother, For God is the Author of every passage.
When I’ve been given a task to perform By the Spirit of God through His Word – And the pressure is on me to the world to conform, I am in danger of leaving the will of the Lord: It is important that I never hesitate or deny The charge that He gave me so clear – To do so leaves me open to consequences that I Am not able to overcome or bear.
The subtle voices of men are only just that – Often, they are used by an evil enemy To turn me from God’s purposes by trying to attract Me to abandon truth, for a large company. When a message I hear is different from what I heard when God gave it to me at the first – I need God’s grace to preserve me from that: It is God Himself, for whom I hunger and thirst.
“O All-Knowing God: I am praying here today that I might give a true interpretation and useful application of Thy Word tonight. May the truths Thou hast laid on my heart be passed on in a clear and understandable way. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”