The account of the disobedience of the Prophet of Judah is a poignant narrative found in 1 Kings 13. This account serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of obedience to God's commands and the severe consequences of deviating from His instructions.

Context and Background

The narrative unfolds during the reign of King Jeroboam of Israel, a time marked by idolatry and rebellion against God. Jeroboam had established golden calves in Bethel and Dan, leading the people of Israel into sin. In response, God sent a prophet from Judah to Bethel to deliver a message of judgment against the altar Jeroboam had erected.

The Command of God

The Prophet of Judah was given explicit instructions by God. He was to deliver the message against the altar and then return home without eating bread or drinking water in Bethel, nor was he to return by the way he came. This command is clearly articulated in 1 Kings 13:9 : "For this is what I was commanded by the word of the LORD: ‘You must not eat bread or drink water or return by the way you came.’”

The Act of Disobedience

After delivering the prophecy, the Prophet of Judah began his journey home. However, an old prophet living in Bethel deceived him. The old prophet claimed to have received a word from an angel, instructing the Prophet of Judah to return to his house and eat and drink. Despite the clear command from God, the Prophet of Judah succumbed to the deception and disobeyed God's directive.

1 Kings 13:19 records this pivotal moment: "But the man of God went back with him, ate bread in his house, and drank water."

The Consequences

The consequences of the Prophet of Judah's disobedience were immediate and severe. As they sat at the table, the word of the LORD came to the old prophet, declaring judgment upon the Prophet of Judah for his disobedience. 1 Kings 13:21-22 states: "and he cried out to the man of God who had come from Judah, 'This is what the LORD says: Because you have defied the word of the LORD and have not kept the command that the LORD your God gave you, but you went back and ate bread and drank water in the place where He told you not to eat or drink, your body will never reach the tomb of your fathers.'"

As the Prophet of Judah departed, a lion met him on the road and killed him, fulfilling the word of the LORD. His body was left on the road, a stark testament to the seriousness of disobeying God's commands.

Theological Implications

The account of the Prophet of Judah underscores the importance of unwavering obedience to God's word. It highlights the dangers of being swayed by false teachings or deceptive influences, even those that appear to come from seemingly credible sources. The narrative serves as a cautionary tale, emphasizing that God's commands are not to be taken lightly or altered by human reasoning or persuasion.

This account also illustrates the sovereignty and justice of God. Despite the deception involved, the responsibility for obedience rested with the Prophet of Judah. His failure to adhere to God's explicit instructions resulted in dire consequences, demonstrating that God holds His servants accountable for their actions.

Lessons for Believers

For believers, the account of the Prophet of Judah is a call to discernment and faithfulness. It encourages Christians to remain steadfast in their commitment to God's word, resisting the temptation to compromise or rationalize disobedience. The narrative serves as a reminder that true obedience requires both hearing and doing the will of God, regardless of external pressures or contrary voices.1 Kings 13:1
And, behold, there came a man of God out of Judah by the word of the LORD to Bethel: and Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense.
Nave's Topical Index

The Blessing of God on Filial Piety.
... The prophet then proceeded to remind them of the warnings which had ... injunctions,
he might have no power to punish their disobedience; but the God of Israel ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxiii the blessing of.htm

That David Made Great Preparations for the House of God; and That ...
... silver; but God prohibited me by the prophet Nathan, because ... And I pray that the
promises of God may be ... if not, expect adversity upon thy disobedience to them ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 14 that david made.htm

The Children's Bible
... GOD'S GOOD GIFTS TO MAN. THE FIRST DISOBEDIENCE. CAIN AND HIS BROTHER ABEL. ... ELIJAH
AND THE WIDOW'S SON. THE PROPHET OF FIRE. GOD'S LOW WHISPER. AHAB THE THIEF. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/

God Willing that all Men Should be Saved.
... first parents idea of the threatening in case of disobedience, and expressed ... will
ye die, 0 house of Israel?" * By another prophet we find God mourning over ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xvii god willing that.htm

Purposes of God.
... when he hath spoken a thing, I the Lord have deceived that prophet; and I ... not be
better for the universe, and more pleasing to God than disobedience is in ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xlvi purposes of god.htm

God's Sovereignty Defined
... was passed upon Moses for one act of disobedience, and he ... And the prophet Isaiah
the son of Amoz came to ... has been pointed out to us that God's Sovereignty was ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter one gods sovereignty defined.htm

Jeroboam
... disobeying the word of the Lord, the prophet had been ... fact in an attempt to vindicate
his own disobedience. ... the swift displeasure of an offended God, and these ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 7 jeroboam.htm

Characters Will be Disclosed, and Justice Awarded.
... When the prophet forewarned Hazael of the cruelties ... is preferable, in divine estimation,
to allowed disobedience. God makes a difference in his treatment of ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xvi characters will be.htm

The Captivity.
... she had deserved, and how black was her disobedience in the ... made answer by the word
of the God of Justice ... bones on it, as the disobedient prophet had foretold ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson x the captivity.htm

Jonah and Micah.
... (2) The dangers of disobedience, to self and to others. ... (5) The nature of
true repentance and God's forgiveness. ... Micah. The Prophet. ...
/.../the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter xx jonah and micah.htm

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