What was the “real” purpose the man of God appeared before Jeroboam? Was it to give him this message or was it to get Jeroboam to repent? Perhaps it was both.
Of course, the story also involves Jeroboam’s arm become paralyzed when he threatened the man of God. Can you imagine how Jeroboam was feeling in that moment? He certainly would have been fearful wondering who would follow a crippled king. He had been worried about credibility in the past. I’m sure that hadn’t changed.
He would have done anything to restore his arm, even begging the man of God to ask his God, the LORD, to heal him. Despite being pagan, he acknowledged the power of the LORD. That shouldn’t surprise us because demons even recognize the power of God. James 2:19 say, “you say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.”
God knew Jeroboam’s heart, yet he listened to the man of God’s request and healed Jeroboam’s arm. I’m sure the man of God was relieved by answered prayer, but not as much as King Jeroboam. A temporary set back at best!
Jeroboam’s healing is just one of the examples of how God shows up in this reading. The other is simply what we observe of the man of God’s obedience when he refused food. He was undoubtedly hungry. Who knows when he last had any food! What he was being offered was very tempting, yet he remembered what the LORD had told him.
That would have been one of those times when it took an extra serving of grace and gratefulness to be strong. God does promise he won’t tempt us beyond what we can bear with his help. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”
Another nugget I see in our text is in the first line. “At the LORD’s command, a man of God from Judah went…” This man of God listened to God and implemented. Period. Curious about the use of “a” versus “the.” All other references to this man use “the,” but the first one uses “a.” I’m thinking it’s to emphasize that we should all “go” when God calls us to.
We shouldn’t take time to do the laundry or even make the bed. If God is telling us to “Go!” we need to move and GO! When we are truly focused on God and his will for our lives, we will get direction. How it must please God to hear our requests for direction! He knows we are serious about building a relationship with him.
Take some extra time today to really focus on God and what his call on your life is. You may be surprised that he’s leading you in a new direction.
Let’s pray …
Heavenly Father, help me to trust you and rely on your promises. Thank you for giving me a job to do. I seek to draw closer to you and your will for my life. Give me your eyes to see how I can make a difference in this world. I thank you for all the good you have in store for me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
