There is recorded, in the 13th chapter of 1 Kings, an incident challenging to understand. In
fact, at first glance, it may seem unfair on the part of God. But then, upon closer examination, it
reveals some profound truths about the nature of God, and the sobering importance of faithfully
obeying Him without question.
An unnamed prophet, described only as a “man of God,” traveled from Judah to Bethel, with
directions from God to prophesy against the illegitimate altar there. He met King Jeroboam and
faithfully delivered God’s message: “He cried against the altar by the word of Jehovah,” (vs.1).
The temple worship at Bethel was unauthorized by God, and in direct violation of His will. In the
very presence of the king, it appears that the man of God faithfully carried out his divine mission,
difficult and dangerous as it was.
The first reaction of Jeroboam was to seize the man of God, but when he attempted to do so,
his hand was miraculously “dried up, so that he could not draw it back again to him,” (vs. 4).
Additionally, the altar was rent or torn down, and its ashes poured out. Confronted by the
undeniable terror of his paralyzed hand, the king immediately relented, and begged the man of
God to pray for his recovery, which he did, and the king’s hand was restored. In gratitude,
Jeroboam invited the man of God to come to the royal palace, and receive a gift from the king. But
the man of God refused this offer “for so was it charged me by the word of Jehovah, saying, Thou
shalt eat no bread, nor drink water, neither return by the way that thou camest. So he went another
way, and returned not by the way that he came to Bethel,” (vs. 9-10).
Here the story takes a troubling turn. An “old prophet” who lived in Bethel heard of what
had happened, and went out of his way to meet the man of God. Finding him, he extended a similar
invitation as did the king: “Come home with me, and eat bread,” (vs. 15). When the man of God
declined, the old prophet lied to him, saying that he had received a contrary message from an angel
of God. Believing the lie, the man of God went home with the old prophet, who then received an
actual message of God pronouncing the younger man’s doom. And thereafter the man of God was
killed by a lion on his journey home, because he had not kept the commandment which Jehovah
had commanded him.
Our first reaction may be to feel sorry for the man of God. After all, he was unexpectedly
confronted by the elderly prophet of God, who extended welcome hospitality. But here is the
important point. God had already addressed the matter. He had already given clear directions about
what to do. God had already spoken.
Like children, do we not sometimes expect God to change His mind and His word for us?
Though He has spoken, and given clear directions, do we not sometimes hesitate in our obedience
because we actually desire a different answer, a different direction from God? And when we
hesitate, we are vulnerable. Maybe we misunderstood Him the first time. But now, “upon deeper
and more mature study,” we come to a different conclusion. How many Christians later in life have
convinced themselves that God has actually changed course – or convinced themselves that they
misunderstood Him the first time?
This incident teaches that once God has spoken on a matter, our course should be clear and
unchanging. Yes, God can be influenced by our prayers, but God’s word does not change. “Though
we, or an angel from heaven, should preach unto you any gospel other than that which we preached
unto you, let him be anathema,” (Gal. 1:8-9). God does not make rash statements. He means what
He says, and he does not change His word. “God is not a man, that he should lie, Neither the son
of man, that he should repent: Hath he said, and will he not do it? Or hath he spoken, and will he
not make it good? Behold, I have received commandment to bless: And he hath blessed, and I
cannot reverse it.” (Num. 23:19-20).
We need to be careful about convincing ourselves that God did not really mean what he
said in the Bible. Especially when that suggestion seems to come from a reliable source. This is a
time for close-mindedness, stubborn obedience. Once God has spoken, the subject is closed.
Once God Has Spoken
