THE PROPHET OF JUDAH
‘The prophet of Judah.’
The altar at Beth-el was an ill-omened altar. The shadow of ruin was on it from the first. On the very morning of its inauguration, when Jeroboam stood with the incense ready, an unknown prophet of Judah strode forward from the crowd—and what a thrill ran through the people! He seemed to see nobody, not even the king. His eye was riveted upon the altar. He cried to it, ‘O altar, altar!’ and foretold that a child should be born of the house of David who would offer on it the bones of its ministering priests. Then, as a sign that the word was from the Lord, the altar was rent, and the ashes on it scattered. Well for the people, as the ashes were drifted over them by the mountain breeze, had they thought that ashes were the symbol of repentance! Jeroboam was furious; he pointed to the intruder; he cried to his retinue to seize him. But in that instant his outstretched and pointing arm was withered, and was only healed at the prophet’s intercession. Then the unknown herald disappeared, refusing all kingly offers of entertainment. And the Lesson concludes with the pitiful tragedy that opened in disobedience and closed in death. Two centuries later the altar was rent again. Then came Josiah, who ‘stamped it small to powder,’ and who took the bones of the priests out of their sepulchres, and burned them there. So was fulfilled ‘the word of the Lord, which the man of God proclaimed.’
Now let us note three lessons here.
I. The same temptations will come back again.—This unnamed prophet was tempted by the king, and he had the strength and courage to be firm. God had bidden him accept no hospitality, and he was true to the bidding of his Lord so far. No doubt he felt the strength of having conquered; there was something of the glow of victory upon him. He could lay aside his spiritual armour now, and take a little ease under the oak tree. And it was then, just when he seemed victorious, that the same temptation leaped back on him again. The battle with self and ease had to be refought, and he had slackened his grip upon his sword. It was the very temptation meeting him again that he was congratulating himself on having conquered. I think the man was lost, because he won. Now that is a lesson in temptation. Satan is rarely content with one assault. He sometimes lets himself be beaten in the first, just to get us at greater advantage in the second. Never cease watching. Beware of that oak tree. The time has not come to be pleased with our little victories. Some day we shall sit under His shadow with great delight. But to-day our Lord is saying to us, ‘Watch!’
II. Mark how others may be ruined by our falsehood.—When the old prophet went after the prophet of Judah, he told him that the Lord had bidden him come. This was not an invitation from the king; it was an invitation (he said) from the King of kings. But, says the scripture, he lied unto him. Now what was the purpose of that lie I hardly know. There was all manner of treachery behind it. The old prophet would be a poorer man for ever, for having taken God’s name in vain like that. But what I want to note is, that the brother -prophet was ruined by that lie. It was that lie that led him into danger; it was that lie that cost him his life. Learn, then, that in every falsehood we are doing certain injury to others. Some one suffers, be quite sure of it, every time you tell a lie. Not only for your own sakes, but for others’ sakes, determine, whatever it costs, never to deceive. We serve others just by being true.
III. This is the main lesson— our safety lies in simple obedience.—The prophet of Judah was a true prophet of God. God had honoured him by giving him this work. Still more, God granted him the power of working miracles—the altar was rent and the king’s hand restored. Surely with all these gifts and signs of favour the prophet might think himself tolerably safe? Yet spite of them all, what a terrible end he came to—and all because of disobedience. Learn, then, that our gifts may be our danger; our talents or genius may be our peril, if we ever think that in the strength of these we can dare be disobedient to God. It is the brightest and the cleverest—it is those whom God has dowered most liberally—it is they who are often tempted to be careless, and to take their ease under the oak tree. God teaches us that gifts are no safeguard. The brightest must obey just like the dullest. For the little genius, as for the little dunce, there is only one road to safety and to happiness. It is to obey God unswervingly.
Illustration
‘The penalty was very severe; but it was necessary. Else Jeroboam might have argued that he was not a true prophet, and that the word which he spake as God’s would not stand. The prophet’s death for his disobedience must have been an awful message to the king. If a man of God was not spared, how should he fare? If judgment begins at the house of God, where shall the ungodly and sinner appear? Remember, too, that death is not the worst calamity that can befall; spiritual deterioration is worse.’