Week of 9.4.2022 | Day Three
Read
1 Kings 13:7-25
NOTE: Read with caution if you have younger children. While this story is not as graphic as some stories, it does not end well for the prophet.
Discuss
What specific commands did God give to the prophet who spoke to Jeroboam?
God commanded him not to eat bread or drink water nor return by the way that he came.
Did the prophet obey God?
He obeyed when Jeroboam tried to reward him for healing his hand. He obeys again, refusing to go with the old prophet the first time he is asked. But then the story takes a turn. When the old prophet lies to him claiming to have heard from an angel of the Lord, he abandons his obedience and discernment and gives in.
What happens to the prophet?
A lion met him on the road and killed him.
Point out the very strange scene that is described where the donkey and the lion stood beside the body. Both the lion and the donkey act very unnaturally, the lion does not devour the man nor the donkey and the donkey does not run away in fear. This reminds us of other stories in the Bible where God uses animals to fulfill His purposes. Only God could orchestrate something like this.
*It is important to note that this encounter is not to scare us into obedience but to remind us of the seriousness of sin. The “word of the Lord” is a very important theme throughout these chapters. We are reminded that the Lord disapproves of the one who hears the word of the Lord yet chooses to ignore it.
Pray
God, thank you for giving us your word and the commandments. They show us Your holy character and instruct us on how to live with you and others. Forgive us when we ignore your word and choose our own way! Help us to love your word and obey it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.