A young man of God journeyed to Bethel to prophesy against Jeroboam, king of Israel. He would not eat or drink with Jeroboam because he was commanded by God not to do so. So the young man started home a different way than they way he had come.
An old prophet in Bethel heard what the young man of God had done. He took his saddled donkey and pursued the young man. When the old prophet found him, he invited him to his own house to eat and drink. Again the young man declined to go. But the old prophet deceived the young man of God saying God sent him to bring the young man to his house. So the young man of God went with the old prophet.
After they had eaten, a real word from God came to the old prophet. “This is what the Lord says: Because you rebelled against the command the Lord God gave you—you ate and drank—your corpse will never reach the grave of your fathers.”
The old prophet sent the young man home on old prophet’s donkey, but along the way he was attacked by a lion. The old prophet found him and took him back to his house and buried him there, far from the grave of his fathers.
I believe this is a cautionary tale for us, especially in the present days. Many false teachers are spreading a message that is consumed by people who do not take the time to test the teachings against God’s Word. This can have grave consequences for people, just like the young man of God in the passage. When we are quick to believe other people and follow their deceits, we can put ourselves in dangerous situations. I think of the multitude of people who follow religious leaders such as Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses. These people do not know the real gospel and their leaders are dooming them to an eternity in hell. Others, such as Joel Osteen, who preach a prosperity gospel, are leading their followers down the same condemned pathway.
When Jesus sent out His disciples, He told them, ““Look, I’m sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as serpents and as innocent as doves.” (Matthew 10:16 CSB) Serpents are shrewd because they flee from danger and lies (wolves), but do not use that to harm others (doves). This is what I want to remember—be shrewd in my discernment, but show love and grace to others.
