A Prophet and a King - Part One

Day two hundred seventy-two

Because of work schedules and other stuff, my family is not always able to sit together and watch every session of conference.  So it has become tradition that on FHE nights we choose one conference talk that we missed and watch it.  Last night my son chose Elder Holland's priesthood session talk.  We love Elder Holland!  His passion and straightforward approach is greatly appreciated in our home.  He never disappoints! 

I am so grateful for the opportunity that we have to watch these talks and to discuss them as a family.  We had a great discussion after watching his talk, which led to a discussion of our patriarchal blessings, our potential, things we need to work on as individuals and a family, and the awesome blessings that we are promised.  I just wanted the Lord to know that I love Him for the blessings He is giving my family and that we are aware of Him in our lives!

1 Kings 13 Part One - A Prophet and a King

This chapter is a prime example of a true Old Testament story!  There is so much going on in this chapter and so many questions that pop up that you really have to stop and study it.  Mystery prophets, prophecies, miracles, death, lions, donkeys, it doesn't get much better than this in the Old Testament! 

We start this story with the entrance of an unnamed man of God who approaches Jeroboam at the altar and pronounces judgment upon the place, the altar, and their idolatrous ways.  Can you picture Jeroboam's face as this man of God approaches him at the altar where he is about to perform the duties of a priest, which he is not? Priceless.

The prophet then gives one of the most accurate prophecies in the Old Testament.  By the way, in my research I found this statement: Josephus records he was “a prophet, whose name was Jadon” (8:8:5). I thought that this was an interesting bit of information.

 Back to our story...

The Prophecy
Our prophet foretells that a child will be born from the house of David, his name will be Josiah, and he will offer the priests, and the bones of men he will burn on the altar (v 2).  This prophecy will be fulfilled in 2 Kings 23:20 nearly 300 years after the prophecy.  Every detail given will be met. 

The Sign
To show that this was a message from God there was a sign given; the altar shall be rent (torn down) and the ashes shall be poured out (v 3).  This too will be fulfilled, but they would not have to wait long to see it happen. In verse 5 we read that the altar was broken and the ashes poured out from it.  

The Reaction
After the prophecy, but prior to the altar being broken, Jeroboam reacts to the news and orders the prophet arrested.  This says a lot about where Jeroboam's heart is at this time.  He is angry at a prophet for delivering a message from God!  The Lord will teach him a lesson.  When Jeroboam puts forth his hand towards the prophet it is dried up and he can't move it.  I don't know about you, but if my hand dried up and I couldn't move it I would be freaking out.  It appears that after his hand being dried up and viewing the the altar destroyed that Jeroboam does recognize God in these events.  He realizes that this prophet isn’t just some guy who is trying to spoil Jeroboam’s party. He’s actually been sent by God and the things he’s warning Jeroboam about are real.

In light of this new found respect, Jeroboam beseeches the prophet to ask the Lord to restore his hand, which he does.  What a picture of God’s mercy. If I was this prophet, I might have wanted to ask Jeroboam for a written promise that he wouldn’t be hurt. But instead the prophet simply prays for Jeroboam and Jeroboam is healed.

The Invitation
After all this, Jeroboam invites the prophet to come and refresh himself (eat and drink) and he will also give him a reward.  I know that on the surface this may seem like a nice thing to do, but I am suspicious of this invitation.  You have to understand the culture to see what Jeroboam was doing here. If you ate with someone, you were one with that person, in fellowship and agreement with them. Thus, if the prophet were to eat with him  he would be showing that they were in agreement with each other. In other words, he would be condoning Jeroboam's actions instead of rebuking him.

The reason of my suspicion is found in verses 8-9 where the prophet reveals that the Lord has told him to "Eat no bread, nor drink water, nor turn again by the same way that he came to Beth-el."  The Lord knows what Jeroboam is trying to do and he has prepared his prophet by giving him a commandment to protect him.  So the prophet refuses the invitation.

Can you see God working in your life the same way?  How many times during the day are we invited to partake or participate in something that goes against what God has taught?  I think the media does a fine job of offering all sorts of questionable opportunities.  God has given us commandments, ordinances, and gospel principles to protect us from those that might deceive us.  If we are faithful and obedient to these teachings,  then we will not accept the invitation to go against God's will and we will be blessed. 

So much to learn and we have only gotten through the first half of the story!  I am looking forward to part two!