In Chapter 13, God spoke through two prophets in completely different ways and circumstances. What can we learn from this?
Prophet #1 (unnamed) came from Judah to the altar at Bethel where Jeroboam was about to make sacrifice. Uttering the LORD's displeasure, the prophet foretold the birth and leadership of Josiah, a son of the house of David, Josiah would destroy the altars of the high places as well as the priests there.
This man of God had been instructed to make proclamation, neither eating or drinking in this land and to return home by a different route.
A second prophet from Bethel heard about prophet #1, searched and found him. He invited prophet #1 to his home for a meal. Prophet #1 replied that he could not, upon instruction of the LORD. Prophet #2 told this man of God that he had been visited by an angel and that Prophet #1 actually could come to his home after all. (This was a lie.)
Prophet #1 went with the prophet from Bethel and soon (and too late) discovered his error. He had actually disobeyed his instruction by the LORD. He was killed on his way home, and buried by Prophet #2.
Does the lesson include a prayer for discernment? As well as testing not only our own motives but those of others... against the will, or instruction, of God?
Chapter 14: Israel and Judah were being ruled by two rulers, Jeroboam and Rehoboam respectively, whose actions and deeds were abominable in the sight of the Lord.
When Jeroboam's son Abijah became ill, he sent his wife to Shiloh to Ahija, the prophet. Ahija, years earlier, had told Jeroboam he would be king. Jeroboam wanted to know what would happen to Abijah.
Ahija was advanced in years and could no longer see. The LORD, however, told him what was to take place. When she arrived, Ahija spoke the LORD's words: "Tell Jeroboam . . . I raised him up from among the people and made you leader over my people Israel . . . but you have done more evil that all who lived before you. You have made for yourself other gods, idols made of metal; you hae provoked me to anger and thrust me behind your back... I will burn up the house of Jeroboam as one burns dung..."
"As for you, go back home... the boy will die... bury him. He is the only one belonging to Jeroboam who will be buried, because he is the only one in the house of Jeroboam in whom the LORD, the God of Israel has found anything good."
"The LORD will raise up for himself a king over Israel who will cut off the family of Jeroboam... He will uproot Israel from this good land... He will give Israel up because of the sins Jeroboam has committed and caused Israel to commit.
Rehoboam, son of Solomon, was forty-one when he became king and ruled for seventeen years. When he died, his son Abijah became king.
Chapter 15:
Finally, Asa became king of Judah; reining forty-one years. He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD. Asa's heart was committed the LORD his whole life.
Baasha son of Ahijah was the one that destroyed Jeroboam and his reign. Yet, Baasha did not learn and also did evil in the eyes of the LORD; walking in the ways of Jeroboam.
We humans are capable of so much good... and so much evil. One can never place any one person "on a pedestal." We must always be ready and willing to listen to the Lord and discern his ways and will. And He is the final authority upon whom we stand. Praise God for his grace. Praise God for Jesus.
SG
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