Then maybe we could muddle though it together ..all of us "together" may touch on the revelation of what is being said there, as well as the why's of it all....it sure is a strange and sad story... The miracle of the lion standing by at the end...is quite something too...
But sorry
@Stranger for hijacking your thread with these couple of posts. :)
I think it is quite in line with the subject matter... a difficult passage concerning a prophet. In (1 Kings 13:1-10) we see the prophet being obedient to God. And we see the vindication of his prophecy against the altar of Jeroboam in the rent altar and the withered and then healed hand of Jeroboam.
But the prophet made known his charge from God in (13:9). "For so was it charged me by the word of the LORD, saying, Eat no bread, nor drink water, nor turn again by the same way that thou camest. " A charge he was faithful to concerning Jeroboams invitation. (7-8)
In (1 Kings 13:11-32) we see the disobedience of the prophet. The prophet was returning to Judah by a different way then he came, as ordered him by God. In Bethel, the same place where the altar of Jeroboam was, lived an old prophet. This should bring to mind a question. If this old prophet lived in Bethel, where the idolatry took place, why did God send this other prophet out of Judah? Perhaps he was too old? Perhaps he had become too worldly himself? But whatever reason, God did not send the old prophet. He sent another.
In (11-19) the sons of the old prophet told their father about the prophet from Judah and how he spake against the altar of Jeroboam. And the father was greatly interested and saddled his ass and went to find the prophet from Judah. This shows here that the prophet was not to old to get around, meaning there was only one other reason not to use him. Having found the prophet from Judah, the old prophet invites him to his home to eat. Again the prophet from Judah refuses due to his command from God to eat nothing or drink nothing.
Then the old prophet lied to the prophet from Judah. (18) Hence we can see now why the old prophet was never sent though he lived in the very area of Bethel. The old prophet says he has received a word from the LORD saying just opposite of what God told the prophet from Judah. Here is where the flares and warning signs should have gone off with the younger prophet from Judah. God had given revelation to him. Any revelation running contrary to what God had given is to be rejected. Any one can come up and say 'God told me'. But if it runs contrary to the before revelation given, it is to be rejected.
Probably out of respect for the old prophet, and believing he was telling the truth, the prophet from Judah did eat and drank under his roof, and sinned against God. Then the LORD used the old prophet to prophecy the death of the prophet from Judah before he returned to his home. And this came true when a lion attacked and killed the prophet while he was on his way back. The lion was sent by God for that purpose only as he did not eat the prophet or even the ass the prophet rode.
Several lessons concerning this true story. 1.) Do not ever become so impressed with any believer, or preacher, or teacher of God, that you follow them blindly. Always check what they are saying by the Revelation we have been given in the Bible. 2.) Though men may be prophets or leaders from God, they are still sinners, and can be led away just as easily as anyone. 3.) Believe God in what He has shown you though it may mean standing alone against the older generation of believers. 4.) God is faithful in the office he gives to a believer, as the lying prophet was still a prophet, and was used again.
So, know God and His revelation He has given us in the Bible which will support any revelation He gives you by the Spirit and never be too impressed with any believer.
Stranger
...very good observation indeed. :)
