“When the king heard the word that the man of God had cried out against the altar at Bethel, Jeroboam stretched out his hand from the altar and said, “Arrest him!” But the hand he stretched out against him withered, and he could not pull it back to himself. The altar was ripped apart, and the ashes poured from the altar, according to the sign that the man of God had given by the word of the Lord.” 1 Kings 13:4-5
In this particular passage a prophet comes to relay a judgement from God about the altars of pagan worship and sacrifices. The audience included king Jeroboam.
Notice the reaction of the sinful when faced with his sin. He, in anger, demands to have the one who revealed the sin removed. Oh, how pride pushes us further from God! A man of God when faced with his sin, turns in repentance. But a man apart from God responds just as Jeroboam did. No one seeks to have their imperfections revealed, but a person led by God knows the revelation of their sin is an opportunity for repentance.
The consequence of Jeroboam’s wrath. The same arm he used to declare judgement withers. In this instance, his arm is his weapon. As a king, he probably had a whole company of men ready to carry out his declarations. For him to point, was the only weapon he needed and the thing would be done. But God steps in and stays the hand that would harm His prophet. A side note here, this reminds me of the verse in Isaiah that says…No weapon formed against you shall prosper…(Isaiah 54:17). God mocks the king’s judgement by shriveling his arm to nothing, making it in effect useless as a weapon as well as a means of protection.
Now look at the king’s next move…
“Then the king responded to the man of God, “Plead for the favor of the Lord your God and pray for me so that my hand may be restored to me.” So the man of God pleaded for the favor of the Lord, and the king’s hand was restored to him and became as it had been at first.” 1 Kings 13:6
He pleads for mercy from the one he condemned. He seeks restoration from the God he wouldn’t acknowledge. At first glance you want to think, wow God got his attention. But when you read further into the verses you realize the king was only concerned about his physical well-being. He was consumed by his physical comfort.
The king just never got it. The consequence of his offence was a metaphor for his soul. He was withered away in sin. But instead of him turning in repentance to the one God who could grant him forgiveness, he sought for physical restoration. He completely missed the point. Nevertheless, God gave him the restoration he sought.
When I studied this chapter this week, I read a comment that has stuck with me…”if he were not broken by the judgement, yet might be melted by the mercy.” (Matthew Henry) The prediction, the hand, and the restoration all carried the opportunity to turn the king toward God. How God went out-of-the-way to provide chances for change. The astounding patience of God. But ultimately the king was hardened beyond repentance.
But isn’t this the same case with so many people today? The revelation of sin only makes us angry, the judgements only make us harder, and the mercy goes completely unnoticed. Oh, how we completely miss the point! It is my prayer for all of us that if we are not broken by the judgement of God, that we would be melted by His mercy.
bearingwithlove 