Title: What Advice?
Memorize: My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. Proverbs 1:10 (Nkjv)
Bible Reading: 1 Kings 13:11-25 (Nkjv)
[11] Now an old prophet dwelt in Bethel, and his sons came and told him all the works that the man of God had done that day in Bethel; they also told their father the words which he had spoken to the king.
[12] And their father said to them, “Which way did he go?” For his sons had seen which way the man of God went who came from Judah.
[13] Then he said to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” So they saddled the donkey for him; and he rode on it,
[14] and went after the man of God, and found him sitting under an oak. Then he said to him, “Are you the man of God who came from Judah?” And he said, “I am.”
[15] Then he said to him, “Come home with me and eat bread.”
[16] And he said, “I cannot return with you nor go in with you; neither can I eat bread nor drink water with you in this place.
[17] For I have been told by the word of the Lord, ‘You shall not eat bread nor drink water there, nor return by going the way you came.’ ”
[18] He said to him, “I too am a prophet as you are, and an angel spoke to me by the word of the Lord, saying, ‘Bring him back with you to your house, that he may eat bread and drink water.’ ” (He was lying to him.)
[19] So he went back with him, and ate bread in his house, and drank water.
[20] Now it happened, as they sat at the table, that the word of the Lord came to the prophet who had brought him back;
[21] and he cried out to the man of God who came from Judah, saying, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Because you have disobeyed the word of the Lord, and have not kept the commandment which the Lord your God commanded you,
[22] but you came back, ate bread, and drank water in the place of which the Lord said to you, “Eat no bread and drink no water,” your corpse shall not come to the tomb of your fathers.’ ”
[23] So it was, after he had eaten bread and after he had drunk, that he saddled the donkey for him, the prophet whom he had brought back.
[24] When he was gone, a lion met him on the road and killed him. And his corpse was thrown on the road, and the donkey stood by it. The lion also stood by the corpse.
[25] And there, men passed by and saw the corpse thrown on the road, and the lion standing by the corpse. Then they went and told it in the city where the old prophet dwelt.
Message:
Our Bible reading today explains the ordeal between an old and a young prophet. The young man had gotten instructions from God not to eat or drink in the town, but he disobeyed when the older prophet approached him and gave a contrary prophecy.
This was a direct disobedience to God. This reminds me of the serpent that manipulated Eve in the Garden of Eden. It convinced her to go against God’s instruction and told her she would become like God if she disobeyed.
Often, satan presents us with an alternative to God’s instruction so that we can go out of His will and purpose for our lives. He will bring friends to tell you to enjoy your life and embrace your own desires.
They will tell you that God is merciful and will not destroy you.
My dear child, you must be careful who you discuss God’s dealings or instructions with. Any advice that is against God’s word is wrong and should be immediately discarded.
Don’t end up like the young prophet who eventually got killed by a lion.
Key Point:
Don’t be misguided; divine instruction is for your own good and not God’s.
Bible Quiz:
In which book of the New Testament can you find the Sermon on the Mount?
HYMN 20 – CHRISTIAN, SEEK NOT YET REPOSE
1 Christian, seek not yet repose;
Hear thy guardian angel say,
“Thou art in the midst of foes:
Watch and pray!”
2 Principalities and powers ,
Mustering their unseen array,
Wait for thy unguarded hours:
“Watch and pray.”
3 Gird thy heavenly armour on;
Wear it every night and day
Ambush’d lies the evil one:
“Watch and pray.”
4 Hear the victors who o’ercame;
Still they mark each warrior’s way;
All with one sweet voice exclaim,
“Watch and pray!”
5 Watch, as if on that alone
Hung the issue of the day;
Pray, that help may be sent down:
Watch and pray.
6 Hear, above all, hear thy Lord,
Him thou lovest to obey;
Hide within thy heart His word
“Watch and pray!”
Bible In One Year: Mark 11:1-26; Leviticus 27:14 — Numbers 1:1-54
AUTHORS: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE
PASTOR MRS FOLU ADEBOYE