Deceived but was punished by Pastor Gbenga Aluko

                                                                       

               

Text: 1 kings 13:20-25

Topic: Deceived but was punished

This will be treated with following sub-heading:

1. Rehoboam refused Godly counsel

2. Jeroboam’s insecurity, greed coupled with bad counsel led him to idolatry

3. God sent a message to Jeroboam

4. Deception prevailed

5. God’s punishment

Rehoboam refused Godly counsel 2Kings 12:7-8

Rehoboam was the son of the wise; writer, king, administrator per excellence and the great life coach king Solomon and he also became a king too by God’s grace even against his father’s wish at some point who wanted him killed 1king 11:40.The king’s refusal to accept Godly counsel via the elders was his undoing as he failed right in front of the gathering/meeting meant to crown him but needed to know his plan/program/intention for the masses 1king12:1-8.And this refusal had consequences, Some of which are:

1.1  The nation was broken when it was his turn to reign: Northern and Southern Israel

1.2   Evil prophesy over David’s lineage as caused by King Solomon’s idolatry began its fulfillment on him 1 king 11:31-35, 1 king12:19, like Samson and Judas Iscariot. Ten tribes given to king Jeroboam

1.3  He tried to fight the consequences of his father’s idolatry and His own refusal to Godly counsel but God rebuked him and thanks that he yielded.1kings12:21-24.Are we not fighting/managing the consequences of our recalcitrance instead of coming to God with confession and resolve to forsake 2 Chro.7:14

Jeroboam’s insecurity, greed coupled with bad counsel led him to idolatry

Can anyone by his/her strength, administrative acumen, scientific capacity coupled with warfare technology protect what God gave him by His grace while abandoning same God?

One of the greatest problem that any leader can have is insecurity, king Jeroboam who got ruler ship/kingship on a platter of gold even displayed this weakness and to worsen his already bad case he added bad counselors whose counsel he followed to it.1 kings 12:26.

Not only did he sin, led Israel to sin, he attempted instituting a festival 1 king 12:32, what an effrontery! Are we any better today?

God sent a message to Jeroboam

God will not condone sin forever, especially when it is a sin of a leader of His people, leading sin (leader’s sin is a leading sin) hence God sent His messenger to king Jeroboam with signs 1 king 13:1-5.

King Jeroboam attempted to fight God’s message to him by stretching forth his hands and saying seize that man, an act he regretted instantly as God fought for His messenger but he was again saved by grace 1king 13:6. An encouragement  to all God’s servant, we are to continue to do so without fear as He who sent us will always be with us if we continue to do what pleases Him. John 8:29.

Deception prevailed

The man of God popularly known as the young prophet was a man of God indeed, not only did God send him important message but he also successfully conquered what has and is still conquering a lot of minister:  

Come to the palace with me ===== fame

Have something to eat========= food

I will give you gifts=========== money/wealth/gifts

He further responded that not even half of everything the king had can derail him/his ministry 1 king 13:8,he was however trapped/deceived by trust of “men of God” he wrongly fell for the thus said an angel by an “experienced man of God”, he forgot or neglected God’s instruction or message to him, he was deceived in God’s name/angels name by a supposed man of God 1king 13:17-18 are we not deceiving people in God’s name? May we receive grace never to be such or repent from such in Jesus mighty name. Amen.

God’s punishment

What a mighty God we serve, the young prophet was purnished with an awful death as prophesied by the same man who deceived him 1 kings 13:18, 20-22.May we receive wisdom and discernment never to fall for any deception of any sort in Jesus mighty name. Amen.

Shalom