Bible Study for Christian Women and Pastors Wives: I Am Able to Say No, Part 4

Bible Study for Christian Women and Pastors Wives: I Am Able to Say No, Part 4
     The person we are going to look at today is not named, except he is the man of God. His story is found in 1 Kings, chapter 13. King Solomon had died and his son, Rehoboam, was to be king. However, because of Solomon's sin in not listening to God, God had told Solomon that the majority of the kingdom would be taken from Rehoboam and given to Jeroboam.
     Our story starts with Jeroboam as king of Israel. He has no use for God and sets up a couple of gold calves and declares them to the god of Israel.
     God didn't like that too much and sent this man of God to prophecy against the calf altar at Bethel. He said God told him NOT to eat there, NOT to drink water there, and NOT to go the same way back home. This man of God not only tells that to King Jeroboam who invited him to come to his house for a meal, but also to an old prophet in the area.
     The old prophet heard about the man of God from his sons. He took off on his own saddled donkey and found the man of God resting under an oak tree. He invited him to come to his house and eat with him. That's when the man of God told the old prophet God said he couldn't.
     I will not even speculate "the why," but the old prophet lied and told the man of God that an angel told him he could. But I will say this,the enemy can appear as an angel of light, 2 Corinthians 11:14 "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light," and we know he is the father of lies,  John 8:44 "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it."
     Oh, man of God, why did you say yes when it was not God saying yes? Just because you were taught to respect your elders, does not dismantle and dismiss one word that God spoke to you!
     While they were eating, the old prophet actually hears from The Lord and tells the man of God he should have listened and obeyed the word of God. His disobedience was going to cost him everything ~ his life.
     After the meal, the man of God got back on his donkey and headed home. He didn't make it to far past the city limits' sign when he met a lion who killed him, but did not tear him to pieces. The donkey was not hurt and stayed by the man's body, as did the lion.
     This news reaches the old prophet who declares that all that the man of God said would come to pass.
     Again, I ask: Oh, man of God, why did you say yes when God told you no?

Be blessed in The Name above every name, Jesus! I know I am!
Linda L. Culbreth

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