“A Confusing Tale”: 1 Kings #13: an exposition of 1 Kings 13:1-34. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, May 17, 2015.
Intro:
I believe in the perspicuity of Scripture. I like to say things like that to prove that I’ve been to seminary! That’s your Cooperative Program dollars at work. The doctrine of perspicuity means that the Scriptures are clear or lucid. They are intelligible. While a background in the biblical languages, knowledge of biblical history and interpretation are very beneficial they are not necessary to understand the Scripture. You can read the Bible and understand it. However there are those passages that give me pause. Passages that leave me scratching my head and wondering, “Why in the world is that story there? What does it mean and why do I need to know it?” 1 Kings seems to more than its share of “head-scratch’n” passages. This evening we come to deal with another one of those passages. Our text is found in 1 Kings chapter 13. Again we will consider the entire chapter.
Text: 1 Kings 13:1-34
Solomon was told that the kingdom would be torn from his hand.
Due to God’s covenant promises to David this would not happen in Solomon’s lifetime.
Solomon died and his son Rehoboam became king.
Solomon was the wisest man who ever lived.
His son – not so much!
When the people asked for some relief Rehoboam rejected the advice given by the older men who served his father and went with the advice given by his contemporaries. “You think my old man was tough wait until you’ve dealt with me.” The northern tribes broke away and formed a rival kingdom. Jeroboam was made king.
Jeroboam feared that if the people of the North continued to worship in the South it would lead to a reunification of the nation. Thus he set up a rival religion in the North with a golden calf set up in Dan and in Bethel. He appointed priest from all the tribes rather than just the tribe of Levi, he built high places throughout the land and established a religious feast. All of this was done as he had purposed in his own heart. In other words this was not in accordance with the will of God but all his own doing. God had told Rehoboam that if he followed him with all his heart God would establish his kingdom. Jeroboam thought it better if he secured his kingdom on his own terms. That brings us to our text.
As we work through the chapter we will discover that…
Thesis: This confusing Old Testament tale of a faithful yet foolish and a lying yet anointed prophet gives us insight into how our response to the Word of God works to our good or ensures our judgment.
There are three things I want to point out along the way.
- Though the Word of God is merciful we can despise it assuring our own destruction. (13:1-10; 33-34)
- Though the Word of God provides us safety and comfort we can abandon it and thus place ourselves under its judgment. (13:11-24)
- Though entrusted with the Word of God we can abuse it harming ourselves and others in the process. (13:18-32)
Conclusion:
This underscores the importance and centrality of the Word of God in the life of the believer.
Receive it as merciful and do not despise it.
Understand the Word of God is our refuge.
Do not abuse the Word by seeking to use it to your advantage.
For your response to the Word of God works to your good or it ensures your judgment.