Full Obedience - An Unnamed Prophet From Judah

The old prophet answered, “I am a prophet, too, just as you are. And an angel gave me this command from the LORD: ‘Bring him home with you so he can have something to eat and drink.’” But the old man was lying to him.

1 Kings 13:18

You probably have a drawer full of instruction manuals somewhere in your house for your computer, your television, your DVD player. Most of those instructions include this warning: “Please read manual completely before operating.”

Manufacturers know that failure to fully follow instructions can mean improper operation and even damage to some items.

First Kings 13 tells the story of a prophet whose failure to fully obey God’s instructions led to personal disaster. God had given this unnamed prophet from Judah very specific instructions. He was to travel to Bethel in Israel and confront King Jeroboam, who had desecrated this once-honored town by erecting a calf idol and a pagan altar there. God also told the prophet not to eat or drink anything while in Bethel.

The prophet executed the first part of his mission perfectly. He personally rebuked Jeroboam, pronounced destruction on his altar, and taught the king a thing or two about keeping his hands off of a true prophet of God.

From there, things went downhill fast.

As the prophet made his way out of town, an elderly prophet from Bethel sent for him and invited him home for dinner. When the prophet from Judah explained that God had commanded him not to eat or drink anything while in Bethel, the old man lied. He told him that God had sent an angel to command him to bring the man from Judah into his home and give him food and water.

Sadly, the prophet listened to these lies, ignored God’s previous command, and lost everything (see 1 Kings 13:18-26). He is a sobering reminder to us that partial obedience is really disobedience.

When you know you have heard a word from the Lord—especially when that word comes from the pages of the Bible—don’t let anyone tell you that God has changed his mind. God sometimes allows such tests to see whether you will believe what he says and trust in his direction. Ensure yourself of all God’s blessings by obeying his instructions fully, even if others encourage you to do otherwise.