Title:- Beware of Free Lunches
1 Kings 13:18,19 He said to him, “I too am a prophet as you are, and an angel spoke to me by the word of the LORD, saying, 'Bring him back with you to your house, that he may eat bread and drink water.'“ (He was lying to him.) So he went back with him, and ate bread in his house, and drank water.
In the business world it is a common saying that, 'There is no such thing as a free lunch.' Yes sir how true, how true, for the purpose of such ‘free feasting’ is always four fold: Buying, selling, associating, and information gathering, so yes indeed, there is indeed, no such thing as a free lunch.Jeroboam had committed terrible spiritual adultery. In the midst of this great transgression a courageous ‘man of God’ of unknown name to us, was then commissioned by God to deliver a message of coming judgment against the idolatrous alter and therefore against its king and practitioners. The prophet’s orders from God are clear and direct. “Go, proclaim, don’t eat or drink anything, and don’t return by the same route.” This man of God fearlessly and famously proclaimed the Word of the Lord with signs and wonders following and obeyed to the letter the orders he was given……….that is, until someone offered him a ‘free lunch.’
His invitation to a free lunch was not just offered by anybody mind you, but by another prophet, older and more experienced than he. However, this old prophet from Bethel lied to the Judean firebrand and so deceiving him, brought him back to his own house for food and fellowship, associating, socializing and information gathering! Whilst chewing on some vitals, there from the old deceiver’s very mouth the Word of the Lord burst out in condemnation toward the deceived and yet disobedient Judean prophet. Here it is, “After lunch. God is going to kill you!”
No, I don’t like it either and yes, it makes God appear very unfair. After all, a wicked and a lying old prophet together with his snivelling sycophantic sons all live, whilst the brave Judean warrior prophet, perishes in less than understandable and acceptable circumstances.
Friends know these things for yourself today:
• Don’t fool around with God or His commission to you.
• Don’t dawdle with directions, or listen to liars, of which there are many, both young and old, fuelled by a multitude of intents and agendas, all of which are ultimately self-serving.
• Walk wisely, walk carefully and walk with integrity.
• Above all, walk with fear and trembling when carrying out the commission of the Great King.
Listen:- For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. NIV
Pray: - Lord, who is sufficient for these things? Who is holy enough and wise enough to stay close and stay careful, to consistently walk so circumspectly? Mercy come a running! Amen.
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