The Uneasy Walk
Walking in the Lord is not an easy place. There are feelings and emotions that have good intentions but can lead us to our death. As you read the story in 1st Kings I want you to think about it is not just being in leadership role that makes us accountable but it is just being disciples or to just say I am a Christian takes on the role of am I obeying God's word completely complete. Now we say I have Jesus the new covenant... Yes, praise be to God, but how much greater to be in line with scripture‽
1 Kings 13 — it's about the man of God from Judah (often called the "unnamed" or "unknown prophet") who was killed by a lion after disobeying God's direct command.
Summary of the Passage (1 Kings 13):
God sends a prophet from Judah to deliver a message to King Jeroboam about his idolatry.
The prophet is told by God:
“You shall not eat bread, nor drink water, nor return by the same way you came.”
(1 Kings 13:9)
After delivering the message, the prophet refuses Jeroboam’s invitation and obeys — initially.
But later, an old prophet from Bethel deceives him by claiming an angel told him to bring him back to eat and drink.
The man of God listens to the older prophet instead of God’s command.
After eating and drinking, on his way back, he is killed by a lion as a judgment from God.
Key Verses:
1 Kings 13:18 (NKJV):
"He said to him, 'I too am a prophet as you are, and an angel spoke to me by the word of the Lord, saying, ‘Bring him back with you to your house, that he may eat bread and drink water.’” He was lying to him."
1 Kings 13:24 (NKJV):
"When he was gone, a lion met him on the road and killed him. And his corpse was thrown on the road, and the donkey stood by it. The lion also stood by the corpse."
Message and Application:
This passage is a powerful warning about:
Obedience to God's voice above all others.
The danger of being led astray by those who appear spiritual but are not speaking the truth.
God is holding us accountable even if we are deceived — when He has already spoken clearly.
-Jerry-