Topical Bible: Judgments: The Prophet of Judah, for Disobedience

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The narrative of the Prophet of Judah, often referred to as the "man of God from Judah," is a compelling account found in 1 Kings 13. This account serves as a profound illustration of the consequences of disobedience to God's explicit commands, even for those called to deliver His messages.

Context and Background

The account takes place during the reign of King Jeroboam I of Israel, following the division of the united monarchy into the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. Jeroboam, in an attempt to consolidate his rule and prevent the people from returning to Jerusalem for worship, established alternative centers of worship in Bethel and Dan, complete with golden calves (1 Kings 12:28-30). This act was a direct violation of God's commandments and led the people into idolatry.

The Mission of the Prophet

In response to Jeroboam's apostasy, God sent a prophet from Judah to Bethel to deliver a message of judgment. The prophet boldly confronted Jeroboam at the altar, declaring, "O altar, altar, thus says the LORD: ‘Behold, a son shall be born to the house of David, Josiah by name, and upon you he shall sacrifice the priests of the high places who burn incense on you, and human bones shall be burned on you’" (1 Kings 13:2). This prophecy foretold the eventual desecration of the altar by King Josiah, which occurred centuries later (2 Kings 23:15-16).

As a sign of the prophecy's authenticity, the altar was miraculously split apart, and its ashes poured out (1 Kings 13:3). When Jeroboam attempted to seize the prophet, his hand withered, only to be restored after the prophet's intercession (1 Kings 13:4-6).

The Command and Disobedience

God had given the prophet specific instructions: he was not to eat bread, drink water, or return by the way he came (1 Kings 13:9). After delivering his message, the prophet initially obeyed, refusing the king's invitation to dine and taking a different route home.

However, an old prophet from Bethel deceived him. Claiming to have received a word from an angel, the old prophet persuaded the man of God to return and eat with him (1 Kings 13:18). The man of God succumbed to this deception, violating the divine command.

Judgment and Consequences

As they sat at the table, the word of the LORD came to the old prophet, declaring judgment upon the man of God for his disobedience: "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 shall not be buried in the tomb of your fathers" (1 Kings 13:21-22).

Upon leaving Bethel, the man of God was killed by a lion, a sign of divine judgment. Remarkably, the lion did not devour the body or harm the donkey, underscoring the supernatural nature of the event (1 Kings 13:24-25). The old prophet retrieved the body and mourned for him, burying him in his own tomb (1 Kings 13:29-30).

Theological Implications

This account underscores the seriousness with which God views obedience to His commands. The prophet's initial faithfulness and subsequent failure serve as a sobering reminder of the importance of adhering to God's word, regardless of external influences or pressures. The narrative also highlights the potential for deception, even among those who claim to speak for God, and the necessity for discernment and steadfastness in following divine instructions.

The account of the Prophet of Judah is a poignant example of the principle that disobedience, even by those chosen to deliver God's messages, carries significant consequences. It serves as a warning to all believers to remain vigilant and faithful to God's commands, trusting in His word above all else.

Nave's Topical Index

1 Kings 13:1-24
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

Library

Approaching Doom
... Long had God delayed His judgments, but now He ... The prophet declared, "Because ye
have obeyed the commandment of ... would be reflected back upon Judah in blessing ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 35 approaching doom.htm

The Blessing of God on Filial Piety.
... The prophet then proceeded to remind them of the warnings ... used with them, and to
denounce the judgments of God ... God of Israel, I will bring upon Judah, and upon ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxiii the blessing of.htm

The Sins of Communities Noted and Punished.
... wicked ruler""Surely at the commandment of the Lord came this upon Judah, for the ...
Like the armies of God's judgments described by the prophet Joel, they ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxix the sins of.htm

Jeroboam
... the man of God that came from Judah, saying, Thus ... disobeying the word of the Lord,
the prophet had been ... of an offended God, and these judgments should have ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 7 jeroboam.htm

Jeremiah and Lamentations.
... But he saw far beyond the judgments of the near future to a brighter day when the ...
I. The Prophet's Call and Assurance, Ch.1 ... Judah Called to Repentance, Chs.2-22 ...
/.../chapter xvi jeremiah and lamentations.htm

The Assyrian Captivity
... For a season these predicted judgments were stayed, and during ... by the plain words
spoken by the prophet against the ... thee away into the land of Judah, and there ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 23 the assyrian captivity.htm

The Captivity.
... of Anathoth, was foretelling that treacherous Judah should soon ... no one suffered more
than the prophet, who was ... did he cease to denounce the judgments of God on ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson x the captivity.htm

"Destroyed for Lack of Knowledge"
... in the captivity of Israel in Assyria and of Judah in Babylon ... the commandments, the
statutes, and the judgments" that they ... Many days," the prophet declared, the ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 24 destroyed for lack.htm

Formation and History of the Hebrew Canon.
... went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught ... of the Lord came to Jeremiah
the prophet, that he ... to teach in Israel statutes and judgments." Ezra 7 ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xv formation and history.htm

Smitten in Vain
... shepherd from the southern wilds of Judah, and his ... Long-delayed judgments are severe
in proportion as they are ... that emphatic 'thus,' as if the Prophet had the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/smitten in vain.htm