1Ki 13:4 | KingComments | STEP | Jeroboam doesn't get scared of the word of God. He believes that he can silence this intruder and disrupter of his plans. He stretches out his hand and orders the arrest of the man of God. His outstretched hand is a sign of his authority. However, his hand dries up, making it completely powerless, indicating that God’s authority is greater. God’s authority is also evident from this, that in the meantime what the man of God has said happens. The altar splits apart and the ashes are poured out. Then Jeroboam tempers his tone and asks for intercession. He speaks to the man of God about “your God” and not about ’my God’. He himself has no relationship with God as His God. He does not ask to pray for him that his sin will be forgiven, which would indicate that his heart had changed. He only asks that his hand be healed again while he hardens his heart. So Pharaoh wanted Moses to pray that God “would only remove this death from me”, but not his sin ( ). The prophet, as a real man of God, rewards evil with good. He immediately entreats God and prays for him. He acts in the spirit of what Christ has said to His disciples, that they will pray for their persecutors ( ).

‏ 1 Kings 13:4

Jeroboams Hand

Jeroboam doesn't get scared of the word of God. He believes that he can silence this intruder and disrupter of his plans. He stretches out his hand and orders the arrest of the man of God. His outstretched hand is a sign of his authority. However, his hand dries up, making it completely powerless, indicating that God’s authority is greater. God’s authority is also evident from this, that in the meantime what the man of God has said happens. The altar splits apart and the ashes are poured out. Then Jeroboam tempers his tone and asks for intercession. He speaks to the man of God about “your God” and not about ’my God’. He himself has no relationship with God as His God.

He does not ask to pray for him that his sin will be forgiven, which would indicate that his heart had changed. He only asks that his hand be healed again while he hardens his heart. So Pharaoh wanted Moses to pray that God “would only remove this death from me”, but not his sin (Exo 10:16-18). The prophet, as a real man of God, rewards evil with good. He immediately entreats God and prays for him. He acts in the spirit of what Christ has said to His disciples, that they will pray for their persecutors (Mt 5:10 ; 44).