Topical Encyclopedia The narrative of the Old Prophet of Bethel and the Prophet of Judah is a compelling account found in 1 Kings 13, illustrating the theme of temptation and the consequences of disobedience to God's direct commands. This account serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of adhering to divine instructions and the dangers of being led astray, even by those who claim spiritual authority.Context and Background The account takes place during the reign of King Jeroboam in the northern kingdom of Israel. Jeroboam had established a rival religious system to prevent his subjects from traveling to Jerusalem in Judah to worship. This included setting up golden calves in Bethel and Dan, which led the people into idolatry. The Prophet of Judah God sent a prophet from Judah to Bethel to deliver a message of judgment against the altar Jeroboam had erected. The prophet boldly proclaimed, "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). As a sign, the altar was split apart, and its ashes poured out. King Jeroboam, angered by the prophecy, stretched out his hand to seize the prophet, but his hand withered. The king pleaded for healing, and the prophet interceded, restoring Jeroboam's hand. Despite the king's invitation to dine with him and receive a reward, the prophet refused, citing God's command: "You must not eat bread or drink water or return by the way you came" (1 Kings 13:9). The Old Prophet of Bethel An old prophet residing in Bethel heard of the events and sought out the man of God from Judah. He invited him to his home, but the prophet of Judah reiterated God's command not to eat or drink in that place. The old prophet, however, deceived him by claiming, "I too am a prophet like you, and an angel spoke to me by the word of the LORD, saying, ‘Bring him back with you to your house so that he may eat bread and drink water’” (1 Kings 13:18). The prophet of Judah, swayed by the old prophet's words, returned with him and ate at his house. Consequences of Disobedience While they were eating, the word of the LORD came to the old prophet, who then pronounced judgment on 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). After leaving Bethel, the prophet of Judah was killed by a lion, fulfilling the word of the LORD. The old prophet retrieved his body and mourned for him, burying him in his own tomb. Theological Implications This account underscores the seriousness of adhering to God's commands and the perils of succumbing to temptation, even when it comes from seemingly credible sources. It highlights the necessity of discernment and the dangers of false prophecy. The account also serves as a warning against the complacency of spiritual leaders who may lead others astray, intentionally or unintentionally. The narrative of the Old Prophet of Bethel and the Prophet of Judah is a sobering reminder of the need for vigilance in spiritual matters and the unwavering commitment to God's word, regardless of external influences or pressures. Nave's Topical Index 1 Kings 13:15-19Then he said to him, Come home with me, and eat bread. Nave's Topical Index Library The Prophet Amos. The Book of the Law Obadiah; Or, Early Piety Eminent Piety Ahab and Naboth Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ... Paul's Departure and Crown; The Resurrection of the Dead, and Eternal Judgment: Appendix xii. The Baptism of Proselytes The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem: Book ii. Jerome Answers the Second, Third, and Fourth Propositions ... Resources Why is idol worship such a powerful temptation? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the meaning and purpose of Jesus' temptations? | GotQuestions.org How does Satan tempt us? | GotQuestions.org Temptation: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Temptation: Abraham Leads Pharaoh Temptation: Always Conformable to the Nature of Man Temptation: Balak Tempts Balaam Temptation: Blessedness of Those Who Meet and Overcome Temptation: Christ is Able to Help Those Under Temptation: Christ Keeps Faithful Saints from the Hour of Temptation: Christ: Endured, from the Devil Temptation: Christ: Endured, from the Wicked Temptation: Christ: Intercedes for his People Under Temptation: Christ: Resisted by the Word of God Temptation: Christ: Sympathises With Those Under Temptation: Comes From: Covetousness Temptation: Does not Come from God Temptation: Evil Associates, the Instruments of Temptation: General Scriptures Concerning Temptation: Gideon Leads the People of Israel Into Sin Temptation: God Cannot be the Subject of Temptation: God Enables the Saints to Bear Temptation: God Knows How to Deliver Saints out of Temptation: God Will Make a Way for Saints to Escape out of Temptation: God Will not Suffer Saints to be Exposed To, Beyond Their Temptation: Has Strength Through the Weakness of the Flesh Temptation: Jeroboam Leads the Northern Kingdom (Israel) Into Temptation: Leading Into: Prayer Against Being Led Into Temptation: Mere Professors Fall Away in Time of Temptation: Often Arises Through: Poverty Temptation: Often Arises Through: Prosperity Temptation: Often Arises Through: Worldly Glory Temptation: Often Ends in Sin and Perdition Temptation: Often Strengthened by the Perversion of God's Word Temptation: Permitted As a Trial of Disinterestedness Temptation: Permitted As a Trial of Faith Temptation: Saints May be in Heaviness Through Temptation: Saints should Avoid the Way of Temptation: Saints should not to Occasion, to Others Temptation: Saints should Pray to be Kept From Temptation: Saints should Resist, in Faith Temptation: Saints should Restore Those Overcome By Temptation: Saints should Watch Against Temptation: The Devil is the Author of Temptation: The Devil Will Renew Temptation: The Old Prophet of Beth-El, the Prophet of Judah Temptation: To Distrust of God's Providence Temptation: To Worshipping the God of This World Temptation: Yielding to Adam and Eve Temptation: Yielding to Balaam Temptation: Yielding to David, to Commit Adultery Temptation: Yielding to Hezekiah Temptation: Yielding to Isaac, to Lie Temptation: Yielding to Jacob, to Defraud Esau Temptation: Yielding to Sarah, to Lie Temptation: Yielding to Solomon, to Become an Idolater Through the Influences of his Wives Temptation: Yielding to The Prophet of Judah Temptation: Yielding to To Count the Nation of Israel Related Terms |