God’s Story... For My Life
The Consequences of Disobedience
Read 1 Kings 13:1-26
At the Lord’s command, a man of God from Judah went to Bethel, arriving there just as Jeroboam was approaching the altar to burn incense. Then at the Lord’s command, he shouted, “O altar, altar! This is what the Lord says: A child named Josiah will be born into the dynasty of David. On you he will sacrifice the priests from the pagan shrines who come here to burn incense, and human bones will be burned on you.” That same day the man of God gave a sign to prove his message. He said, “The Lord has promised to give this sign: This altar will split apart, and its ashes will be poured out on the ground.”
When King Jeroboam heard the man of God speaking against the altar at Bethel, he pointed at him and shouted, “Seize that man!” But instantly the king’s hand became paralyzed in that position, and he couldn’t pull it back. At the same time a wide crack appeared in the altar, and the ashes poured out, just as the man of God had predicted in his message from the Lord.
(1 Kings 13:1-5)
Reflect
God had given this prophet strict orders not to eat or drink anything while on his mission. But when he was feeling hungry and tired, the prophet listened to a man who claimed to have a message from God. Because the prophet directly disobeyed God’s command, he died before getting home, and the way he died clearly demonstrated that God was judging him for his disobedience. This prophet should have followed God’s word instead of hearsay.
Respond
Trust what God’s Word says rather than what someone claims is true. Be discerning, and if you are confused, ask God about it. Investigate what others claim is a message from God, compare it with what God’s Word says, and disregard their message if it contradicts what God has made clear.