1 Kings 13 -- Jeroboam's Sins

Jeroboam became the king of Israel -- the ten northern tribes.  My commentary listed three serious mistakes during his reign.  Here are the first two:

He didn't BELIEVE God's promises:  When Ahijah gave Jeroboam God's message that guaranteed him the throne of the kingdom of Israel, the prophet made it clear that political division did not permit religious departure ... The Lord promised to build Jeroboam a continued dynasty if he obeyed the Lord and walked in His ways.  What a promise, yet Jeroboam couldn't believe it."

He didn't HEED God's warnings:  God sent a young prophet from Judah to deliver His message to Jeroboam.  The message was against the altar being used for pagan worship, not against the king, but Jeroboam didn't like it.  He stretched out his arm to point to the young prophet and God paralyzed it!  Then, fulfilling the Word of God, the pagan altar split into pieces.  Jeroboam asked the prophet to pray that God would heal his arm, which God graciously did, but he didn't seem as concerned with his disobedience to God!

The story took a strange twist after Jeroboam tried to tempt the young prophet to stay and eat with him, which would signal acceptance.  God had already told the young prophet not to do anything except return home by a different route.  However, an old prophet went to catch him and found him resting under a tree.  My commentary said, "The young prophet did his work well and got out of town.  Had he kept going and not lingered under the tree he would have escaped the tempting offer of the old prophet.  God's servants often face great temptation after times of great success and excitement."

After dining with the old prophet, the young prophet headed toward home, only to be killed by a lion.  My commentary continued:  "This long chapter is not about young and old prophets; it's about King Jeroboam and his sins.  The young prophet's ministry is very important in this account, for all he said and experienced, including his death, were a part of God's warning to King Jeroboam."  Still Jeroboam didn't repent.

Father, please warn me when I am getting out of Your will.  Then help me to remember this story so I won't be tempted to shrug off Your warnings!

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford