How should we respond when God sends a message through His servants? Setting the Scene “Suddenly a man of God from Judah came to Bethel by the word of the LORD while Jeroboam was standing beside the altar to burn incense.” (1 Kings 13:1) King Jeroboam had established a counterfeit worship system in Bethel. Into that scene God sent an unnamed prophet with an uncompromising word of judgment. The moment is a living lesson in how we should respond when the Lord speaks through His servants. Why God Sends Messengers • To confront sin (2 Samuel 12:1–7) • To guide and warn (Ezekiel 3:17) • To build faith and obedience (Romans 10:17) • To protect His people from the ruin of disobedience (Proverbs 13:13) Jeroboam’s Wrong Response • He resisted: stretched out his hand to seize the prophet (1 Kings 13:4). • He suffered: his hand instantly withered. • He repented only superficially: asked for healing but never dismantled the false altar (1 Kings 13:6; 13:33–34). Lessons for Us: The Right Response • Listen attentively – “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” (Hebrews 3:15) • Test by Scripture – “Now the Bereans were more noble… examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” (Acts 17:11) • Humble yourself – “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit.” (Psalm 51:17) • Obey promptly – “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” (Luke 11:28) • Honor the messenger – “Believe in the LORD your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.” (2 Chronicles 20:20) • Persevere in the truth – “But be doers of the word and not hearers only.” (James 1:22) Practical Takeaways 1. Clear your schedule when God’s word confronts you—delay deepens danger. 2. Open your Bible alongside any sermon, article, or counsel: confirmation guards against deception. 3. Replace prideful defensiveness with confession; God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). 4. Act on what you know right now; partial obedience is disobedience. 5. Cultivate gratefulness for those courageous enough to deliver hard truths. 6. Keep walking in obedience after the initial conviction passes; lasting fruit proves genuine response. Encouragement to Finish Well Jeroboam’s story warns, but it also motivates. When God still speaks, there is still hope. “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.” (2 Timothy 4:2) Receiving that preached word with faith leads to life, renewal, and steadfast joy. |
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