1Ki 13:7-10 | KingComments | STEP | When Jeroboam’s hand is healed, he changes his attitude toward the man of God. He tries to catch up with him and gain his favor. He invites him to come along for a refreshment and a reward. Therein lies a great temptation, but the man of God refuses. He doesn’t imagine that he will get another chance to talk to Jeroboam and take him off his bad road. He keeps the word of the LORD, Who gave him clear commands. He knew what to say, what not to do and the way to take, both to and from. The fact that he was not allowed to return by the way he had come, but had to return by another way, indicates that God doesn’t come back on His word. The LORD had told him that he could not eat bread nor drink water there. This means that he must not have fellowship with evil. This also applies to us ( ; ; ). This concerns certainly someone like Jeroboam, who leads the people in evil and encourages them to do so. It also concerns all those who live there, such as the old prophet. The man of God refuses any form of fellowship with Jeroboam, as Abraham refused to accept anything from the king of Sodom ( ). Everything that gives the impression that it is not so bad to connect with evil is an insult to God. In addition, it supports the other in his false position.

‏ 1 Kings 13:7-10

The Invitation Rejected

When Jeroboam’s hand is healed, he changes his attitude toward the man of God. He tries to catch up with him and gain his favor. He invites him to come along for a refreshment and a reward. Therein lies a great temptation, but the man of God refuses. He doesn’t imagine that he will get another chance to talk to Jeroboam and take him off his bad road.

He keeps the word of the LORD, Who gave him clear commands. He knew what to say, what not to do and the way to take, both to and from. The fact that he was not allowed to return by the way he had come, but had to return by another way, indicates that God doesn’t come back on His word.

The LORD had told him that he could not eat bread nor drink water there. This means that he must not have fellowship with evil. This also applies to us (2Cor 6:14-18; 2Tim 2:19-22; 2Jn 1:9-11). This concerns certainly someone like Jeroboam, who leads the people in evil and encourages them to do so. It also concerns all those who live there, such as the old prophet.

The man of God refuses any form of fellowship with Jeroboam, as Abraham refused to accept anything from the king of Sodom (Gen 14:22-23). Everything that gives the impression that it is not so bad to connect with evil is an insult to God. In addition, it supports the other in his false position.