1 Kings 13

A prophet was sent by the Lord to Bethel to speak God's Word against the false religious system that Jeroboam had established in Israel. Although the king was there in his presence, the prophet spoke directly against the altar, the place of false sacrifice. In this Word from God, he delivered an astounding prophecy that would be fulfilled three hundred years later in the days of the last good king of Judah, Josiah. (2 Kings 23:17).

King Jeroboam of Israel had set up the altar in Bethel out of fear that the people of Israel would return to Jerusalem for the appointed festivals. The king now attempted to assert his authority over this prophet of God, but a sign of the Lord's judgment came against him immediately. The man of God extended the Lord's mercy to the king by praying for his healing, and he was immediately healed.

The chapter concludes with a strange series of events involving two genuine prophets, deception, the death of the first prophet, and a solemn testimonial from the second. These events may seem bizarre to us. Above all else, they were a display of the knowledge and power of God, as well as His seriousness regarding exact obedience to His Word.

These two men would end up sharing a grave that would be a marker of the truth of God's Word in the days of Josiah. While other graves in Bethel would be unearthed, and dead bones would be used by Josiah to defile this old false altar, the shared grave of these men would not be disturbed.

The extraordinary story of Josiah was many generations away and would further heighten the truth of the testimony given that day long ago in Bethel. Yet even when the Word was originally spoken in the days of Jeroboam, it should have been clear to the king that God's truth was near, and that He was calling the king to repent. But he would not listen.

Our Messiah, Jesus, is holy. He is a prophet of perfect truth and a King who came to serve us in unblemished righteousness. He is set apart from all the sinful personalities on the face of the earth, however great they may be. Yet He was determined to be very near to His people in His death, His burial, and His resurrection.

The cross of Jesus has become our death. We were buried with Him in baptism. We are seated with Him already in heavenly places. His holiness, so different from our own record of obedience, has become the legal record for all who call upon His Name. The key words and events of His power and love, recorded for us so convincingly in the Scriptures, are a monument to the church forever of the abounding greatness of our eternal Prophet, Priest, and King.