Remember that man of God who was instructed by the Lord to leave Judah and go to Israel to speak against Jereboam’s altar in Bethel? Part of the Lord’s instruction to him was: “do not eat bread or drink water. And do not return by the way that you came.” 1 Kings 13:9 The instructions were clear. And obviously the man of God understood them because when king Jereboam invited him to eat, the man of God not only refused the king’s invitation but he also reiterated God’s instruction. He then began his journey home to Judah by another road. If the story ended here all would have been well,... but it does not.
An old prophet that lived in Bethel chased after the man of God and invited him to return to Bethel to eat and drink in his house. When the man of God declined the invitation explaining what God had commanded him, the old prophet:
1) identified himself as a prophet of God and then proceeded to
2) lie to the man of God. He claimed that an angel of God had told him that he should return with him to eat bread and drink water. 1 Kings 13:18.
Why did this old prophet lie, I don’t know. But we do know what happened next.
The man of God agreed to return with the old prophet to eat with him. While they were eating, the word of the Lord came to the old prophet. God said, “because you were rebellious ... and did not keep the commandment that the Lord commanded you, ....your body will not be buried in the tomb of your fathers.” 1 Kings 13:21-22. Later while the man was returning to Judah, a lion met him on the road and killed him.
Undoubtedly the primary message of the greater context is to show how God tried to warn Jereboam against leading the Israelites into idolatry. (See 1 Kings 12:26-33; 13:3,33). But, this story also stands as a strong warning to be faithful to God’s word regardless of who says, “Don’t worry about this, it’s OK” or “I got a new message from the Lord.” It does not matter who might claim that “this other way is OK.” What counts is, what did God say?
God held the man of God responsible for disobeying. The fact that he was deceived by a prophet who deliberately misrepresented God’s will did not release the man of God from his responsibility to obey God. In personal Bible studies I occasionally hear, “well, I know the Bible says that, but I don’t think it really matters.” If God’s message has been accurately understood, to make such a statement reveals a heart whose goal is something other than submission to God. I prefer simple obedience ... I don’t particularly like lions.
Barry Newton, Copyright © 1998
Other Articles of Interest Might Include:
Is Sincerity Enough? (Title: "But I Thought It Was OK")