How does 1 Kings 20:37 demonstrate obedience to God's instructions? Setting the Scene • After Israel’s victory over Ben-hadad, a prophet receives an unusual assignment from the LORD (1 Kings 20:35–43). • To dramatize God’s forthcoming judgment on King Ahab, the prophet must appear wounded. • He therefore asks a fellow Israelite to strike him. The first man refuses and is immediately killed by a lion (vv. 35-36). The Command and the Response “Then he found another man and said, ‘Strike me, please.’ So the man struck him and wounded him.” (1 Kings 20:37) What makes this action a picture of obedience? • Recognition of divine authority – The request comes from a prophet speaking under direct command of God (v. 35). – To obey the prophet is to obey God Himself (cf. Deuteronomy 18:18-19). • Immediate, unquestioning compliance – The second man acts without hesitation, even though the order is painful and seemingly irrational. – His swift response contrasts sharply with the first man’s refusal and subsequent death, underlining true obedience (cf. James 2:17). • Participation in God’s larger purpose – By wounding the prophet, he enables the prophetic parable that condemns Ahab’s leniency toward Ben-hadad (vv. 38-42). – Obedience here becomes a crucial link in communicating God’s judgment to the king and the nation. The Cost of Obedience • Physical cost: he inflicts real injury, illustrating that obeying God can be uncomfortable and sacrificial (Romans 12:1). • Social cost: striking a prophet could appear disrespectful; yet loyalty to God overrides human perceptions (Acts 5:29). Lessons for Today • God’s commands may challenge logic or comfort, but full compliance aligns us with His sovereign plan. • Delayed or partial obedience is disobedience (1 Samuel 15:22-23). • Every believer’s prompt obedience, however small the task, can advance God’s broader redemptive work (Luke 16:10). Scripture Cross-References • 1 Kings 13:20-24 – another lion incident stressing instant obedience. • Proverbs 3:5-6 – trust beyond understanding. • John 14:15 – love proved by obedience. • Matthew 7:24 – wise builder hears and does the Word. |
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