1 Kings 13:1-34
13:1 A man from Judah receives instruction from God to go from Judah to Bethel where Jeroboam is burning incense by an altar.
Jeroboam has been given the kingship over Israel (10 of the 12 tribes, the other two are referred to now as Judah). And though Jeroboam might have begun as a king for the people, having sought the laborers rights, he is not a king for God. Early in his reign, he begins to worship false idols as well as lead his people to do so. He continues to break customs established by God; we find him here burning incense on the altar. Typically only spiritual leaders and elders performed the customs of the temple, an attempt to keep the faith un-corrupted.
13:2-3 The man of God delivers his message, which turns out to be a prophecy from God. The promise is that a descendant of David named Josiah will be born, become king and will remove the rampant idolatry which Jeroboam is currently allowing to infiltrate. We see this fulfilled 330 years later in 2 Kings 23.
13:4 Jeroboam immediately commands that the messenger be arrested. Though this message is personal to Jeroboam, it is pertinent to all of Israel. The reason God is vehement about our rejected of false idols is because placing value in inanimate objects is detrimental to our lives and character. Only God is able to provide the provision, counsel and leadership that we so need to navigate and thrive on the earth.
Jeroboam stretches out his arm to point at the man he wants arrested. As he does so, his arm withers and freezes in the extended position.
13:5 As Jeroboam's arm freezes, the altar splits and spills its contents. This detail is specific to the prophesy the man of God has just delivered. It's precision is evidence that the message is indeed from God.
13:6 Such immediate fulfillment of the prophesy causes Jeroboam to change his stance with the man of God. Instead of having him arrested, he asks the man to pray for the healing of his arm. The man of God does so and Jeroboam's arm is healed.
13:7 Jeroboam invites the man to his home and offers a reward. A moment ago, Jeroboam wanted him arrested. But because he has realized God sent the message, his entire perspective changes. Jeroboam is practicing idolatry, he is not a good kingly influence over God's people; but neither is he about to arrest a man of God.
13:8 The man of God declines the offer, stating that no reward could persuade him to accept. Jeroboam does not have a change in heart or spirit, he still continues to corrupt the faith. There is no repentance and therefore the invitation is insignificant.
13:9 The man of God explains that God instructed him not to eat bread or drink water with Jeroboam, and also not to return the way he came.
13:10 The (unnamed) man of God therefore leaves as God directed. We know that if God gave specific information about his departure, it was for good reason. In many ways, Jeroboam is not a man of God. He does not follow God's advice. Yet this man of God is so described because he listens to God's commandments.
13:11-14 An older man in Bethel hears about the man of God who delivered Jeroboam a message. After inquiring about which way the man of God went, this man travels after him on a donkey. He finds the man of God sitting under an oak.
13:15 The older man offers the man of God an invitation to come and eat bread with him.
13:16-17 The man of God explains that he cannot because God told him not to.
13:18 The old man lies and tries to persuade the man of God that he is a prophet and has been spoken to by an angel. He tells the man of God that he was told by the angel that God has allowed them to eat together.
13:19 The man of God falls for the lie and goes against God's original commandment given personally to him. None of us can be men or women of God when we do not listen to God.
13:20-22 At the table, both men are confronted by God for their actions. The man of God was specifically told not to turn back or to eat bread or drink water with others on his journey. The symbolism is that bread is the word of God and God is the living water. Partaking in others' "bread" and "water" will corrupt us. Only God provides the pure and nutritious spiritual sustenance we need. By neglecting God, we leave ourselves to be devoured by corruption.
13:23-25 Sure enough, the man is killed by a lion. The lion kills but does not eat the man. He was not killed by the predator as food. The symbolism is that is soul was corrupted by disobeying God's commandment. Not as a punishment but as a result. It is imperative that learn to continue walking when God professes to us that there is nothing worth stopping for. On our spiritual journey, our sole focus must be on the direction God gives us. Not on second hand knowledge or convincing offers.
13:26-32 The old man finds out about the death and is distraught. He has the man buried. He also asks his sons to bury him near the man when he dies. He might even feel shame and regret for his actions, having deliberately led the man astray.
13:33-34 Jeroboam continues to pollute the faith. He allows any person, regardless of their spiritual qualification into the high places. Because of Jeroboam's leadership, Israel devolved into faithlessness.
