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NASB | 1 Kings 13:1 Now behold, there came a man of God from Judah to Bethel by the word of the LORD, while Jeroboam was standing by the altar to burn incense. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Kings 13:1 Now behold, there came a man of God from Judah to Bethel by the word (command) of the LORD, while Jeroboam was standing by the altar [which he had built] to burn incense. |
Bible Question:
Re: the whole of 1 Kings 13 What can we learn from this very unusual story from God? What would you say is the most important point for us to apply to our lives? God bless you all -- Inquisitor |
Bible Answer: Inquisitor, This really is a very puzzling passage isn't it! I will give you my best attempt at understanding it. I see it as a parrallel sign to the message he had just delivered to Jeroboam and Israel. Allow me to try to point out the parrallels. Both Israel and the man of God had clear instruction from God. Both had some other human claim that on behalf of God they now had contrary instructions. Both went against God's previous command at this human encouragement. One was killed by the lion, they other has wrath proclaimed against it. Let me show you this with Israel. The people of God had clear instructions that they were not to worship whereever they chose but rather to worship in the place God chose, Jerusalem. They were also told not to make any image. Jeroboam then told them that this was where they were to worship God. Keep in mind that these, in their mind, was not a new God. But rather a new site where they worshiped the same God. The bulls I don't think were meant to be a new God. Yet they violated the commands of God from the instruction and assurance of a human claiming to speak for God on this issue. Now here I believe is the point. If this man of God who was only trying to do what was commanded of him, for simply eating bread when he knew God had said otherwise, was killed by a lion as punishment from God, what then would be the fate of Israel for going against such great commands as God? Shall their claim that Jeroboam "told them to do it" hinder their judgement? Certainly not. So I think this man's life and death became further testimony against Israel. I can't say with complete certainty that I have this right, but I can't understand it any other way. I look forward to anybody else giving me their take on it. In Christ, Beja |