1 Reis 13

1 Reis 13

1 Kings Commentaries Chart from recommended resource Jensen's Survey of the OT - used by permission 1 Kings Chart from Charles Swindoll THE DOWNWARD SPIRAL 1 Kings 13:1 Now behold, there came a man of God from Judah to Bethel by the word of the LORD, while Jeroboam was standing by the altar to burn incense. there came: 1Ki 12:22 2Ki 23:17 2Ch 9:29 by the word: 1Ki 13:5,9,26,32 20:35 Jer 25:3 1Th 4:15 Jeroboam: 1Ki 12:32,33 2Ch 26:18 burn, Nu 16:40 Jer 11:12 32:29 Mal 1:11 Rev 8:3 Related Passages: Numbers 16:40+ as a reminder to the sons of Israel that no layman who is not of the descendants of Aaron should come near to burn incense before the LORD; so that he will not become like Korah and his company (SEE KORAH'S PUNISHMENT)–just as the LORD had spoken to him through Moses. THE LIVING, ACTIVE WORD OF GOD CONTEXT - This is not a good chapter division for in the previous passage we read "Then he went up to the altar which he had made in Bethel on the fifteenth day in the eighth month, even in the month which he had devised in his own heart; and he instituted a feast for the sons of Israel and went up to the altar to burn incense." (1 Kings 12:33+) This was the "final straw" with God in regard to Jeroboam - first new worship centers at Bethel and Dan, then 2 golden calves ("behold your gods"), then high places with demon-idols, then non-Levitical priest and here the last straw of Jeroboam carrying out the function of a priest. Iain Provan: Jeroboam stands, like Solomon (1 Ki 8:22), at the altar of his new temple, ready to dedicate it to his gods. He does not, however, get his chance to speak, for this temple has no legitimacy. And so, as Solomon’s temple was built in fulfillment of a prophetic promise about both temple and dynasty (2 Sa 7:1–17), the building of Jeroboam’s temple evokes prophetic threats (1 Kgs. 13:2–3; 14:7–13), which in due course will come to fulfillment in the destruction of both dynasty and temple. The Lord is the God of history, whose word must be obeyed—even by the very prophets who deliver it—if blessing is to follow (1Ki 13:11–32). (See 1 & 2 Kings - Understanding the Bible Commentary Series - Page 65) Now behold (hinneh - seeks to get our attention!) there came a man of God from Judah to Bethel by the word of the LORD, while Jeroboam was standing by the altar (mizbeah; Lxx - thusiasterion) to burn incense (qatar) - How ironic that this event would occur at Bethel, the "house of God." One would expect God to be honored at such a location, but not so with Jeroboam's religion of compromise and convenience for fear his subjects would return to the true God. The phrase standing by the altar clearly implies he was offering sacrifices, a role God had granted only to priests. This unnamed man of God, a prophet sent by God from the Southern Kingdom timed his arrival (providence of God) while Jeroboam was committing the sin of functioning as a priest at the altar of incense. Other unnamed prophets include Judges 6:8, 1 Kings 20:13,22, 2 Kings 9:1 Note the concentration of the word of the LORD in chapter 13 - 1 Ki. 13:1; 1 Ki. 13:2; 1 Ki. 13:5; 1 Ki. 13:9; 1 Ki. 13:17; 1 Ki. 13:18; 1 Ki. 13:20; 1 Ki. 13:26; 1 Ki. 13:32. This would seem to emphasize that the word of the LORD was a central theme in this chapter. Knapp quips that “If Jeroboam would not have Jehovah’s priests, God sends His prophet into his land.” Donald Wiseman has an interesting note that "Increased prophetic activity is attested at special times of tension among God’s people (e.g. Elijah Elisha, the birth of Christ, the early days of the church, etc.). It aims to heighten awareness of God’s Word and the inevitable consequences of rejecting it....main argument = judgment will inevitably befall those who defy God’s Word." (See 1 and 2 Kings: An Introduction and Commentary - Page 156) Warren