But God Told Me…
Posted on December 14, 2010
Filed Under Evangelism, OT History, What I'm Studying... | 1 Comment
There is an interesting account revealed for us in 1 Kings 13:1-34. Jeroboam was given the northern kingdom of Israel following the division of the kingdom due to the sin of Solomon and the lack of wisdom on the part of his son Rehoboam. Jeroboam had been promised the kingdom, comprised of 10 tribes, and promised that he could keep it if he would only be faithful to God. In 1 Kings 12:25-33, it became evident that Jeroboam would not be faithful, but would turn against God, setting up two areas of worship in Israel to keep his people from returning to Jerusalem to worship as they had been commanded.
In our context, God sent a prophet to Jeroboam to condemn his false worship, and prophesy about future events concerning the altars that Jeroboam had set up. This prophet spoke of Josiah, a king that would come to Judah some 350-360 years later, by name. This is one of the most amazing prophecies of the Old Testament, which confirms the inspiration of these books! This prophet was able to deliver the message given by God, and confirm it by two drastic signs: the withering of Jeroboam’s hand, and the splitting of the altar, with the ashes pouring forth. There was certainly no reason to lack faith in the message that God had given to him! Part of the word that God had given to this prophet was instructions about his own actions. He was not to eat bread or drink water in Bethel, and he was not to travel home by the same way he had come (1 Kings 13:9). This message was plain for the prophet, and left no room for misunderstanding, or misinterpretation.
Twice in this passage, the man of God stood fast against the temptation to violate the will of God. He was invited by the king to stay and eat, but adamantly refused (1 Kings 13:7-10). Later, he was invited by another man, who is described as a prophet of God, to come back to Bethel to eat, and again he quickly refused (1 Kings 13:14-17). But, then he heard something that caused his resolve to waver. The old prophet told the younger prophet that an angel had spoken to him, and told him to bring the prophet back to Bethel to eat (1 Kings 13:18). The young prophet listened, and returned with the older prophet to eat. This disobedience cost him his life!
Some may consider this account and question the justice of God. How could he punish the prophet when another prophet lied to him? God was just. He gave this prophet his will, and made it clear. His message to Jeroboam had been confirmed with at least two miracles. Notice that he never asked for any kind of confirmation that the message of the old prophet was accurate! He could have easily been disproved by simply asking for proof.
Unfortunately, the same type of problem happens often today. God has given His word, and we can all open it up and read it for ourselves (more so than any generation before us!). He confirmed that message with signs and miracles at the time of its revelation (Hebrews 2:2-4). This message has been shown true and accurate over and over again. Yet, today people will be swayed by those who come with a message that God has spoken to them. I have, on many occasions, had Bible studies with people concerning the gospel plan of salvation, only to have them tell me at the end that God has told them in some other way that they are saved. They say, “I can feel it in my heart…” There are many preachers who preach what “God has put on their hearts” every Sunday morning. They claim that God has given them a message to proclaim, which has nothing to do with the message revealed in the New Testament. But, because they act in a manner that men interpret to be “godly” their messages are accepted.
We need to remember that God has told us that His word is finished, and as such we have all we need for “life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:2-4). When we hear anyone tell us that God has given them some new message for us, we must immediately reject them as a false prophet and mouthpiece of Satan rather than of God. Paul warned the Galatian brethren of this very problem:
I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:6-9)
When the old prophet claimed that an angel had revealed a different message, he lied. When men today claim that God has spoken some new message to them, or that some angel of God has revealed a message to them, they lie! We might immediately think of the Mormons with their claims of angelic beings delivering a message, but this problem is far more wide spread. When a person speaks of God “speaking to their heart” or revealing some message directly to “their hearts” they are guilty of the same sin. They must be placed under the same condemnation. God is not going to speak to you directly, telling you some new message. He has revealed His mind to us, and His word is all that we need to know what is necessary for our obedience.
May we not fall victim to the very same sin as the young prophet of 1 Kings 13. If we believe the lie, we will fall under the same condemnation as this young prophet (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12). A love of the truth will lead us to accept only what is revealed in the pages of God’s word, and not turn to the lies of the many false prophets in the world today!
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I just love this story from the Old Testament. Thanks for bringing it to our attention again. The great lessons we can draw from this story are many and they are profound! Having a love for the truth is essential if we are to be saved. By loving the truth we will reject any teaching that is not supported by the clear Word of God no matter who teaches it.