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I Kings 13:1-5, At the Lord’s command, a man of God from Judah went to Bethel, arriving there just as Jeroboam was approaching the altar to burn incense.  Then at the Lord’s command, he shouted, “O altar, altar! This is what the Lord says: A child named Josiah will be born into the dynasty of David. On you he will sacrifice the priests from the pagan shrines who come here to burn incense, and human bones will be burned on you.” That same day the man of God gave a sign to prove his message. He said, “The Lord has promised to give this sign: This altar will split apart, and its ashes will be poured out on the ground.”

When King Jeroboam heard the man of God speaking against the altar at Bethel, he pointed at him and shouted, “Seize that man!” But instantly the king’s hand became paralyzed in that position, and he couldn’t pull it back. At the same time a wide crack appeared in the altar, and the ashes poured out, just as the man of God had predicted in his message from the Lord.

Jeroboam has instituted his own cult in the Northern kingdom.  A prophet visits him to warn him of the consequences of his disobedience. What are the consequences? Well, a new king, Josiah, will rise up who will clean up the pagan altars, kill the pagan priests, and punish Jeroboam.  As a sign of the authenticity of the prophet’s message, he says that the altar by which Jeroboam was standing would split in two.  Jeroboam isn’t thrilled with this message, of course, and attempts to get the man seized but God intervenes.  Jeroboam’s hand is paralyzed and then, just as the man prophesied, the altar splits and the ashes pour out.  Yes, the message is all true; there is no doubt it will come to pass.  

This is a bit of an odd chapter.  Be sure to read through it all.  The man of God who visited Jeroboam ends up with an untimely death because of disobedience himself.  You see, no matter who you are, there are always consequences to sin.  Always.  We live on the other side of the cross and while we can repent and receive forgiveness, we still often must face the consequences of our own bad choices:  debt, divorce, job loss, relationship issues, and damage to the Kingdom.  Think of an example of when your sin caused consequences you deeply regretted.  How did the situation play out?  Was there healing and restoration OR are you continuing to deal with the pain of sin?  Whatever the situation, submit it to God today.

Let’s pray…Lord Jesus, We need you.  On our own, we get ourselves into all kinds of messes.  We sin, we harm others, and we harm your Kingdom.  Forgive us, Lord.  Help us continue to seek you, to resist temptation, and to have laser focus on who you have called us to be.  More of you, Jesus, and less of me.  Amen.