1. Text summary
2. How is Christ in the text?3. Application
Prophetic Chaos - 1 Kings 13
1. Text summary
A prophet condemns Jeroboam, with miraculous signs.
Another prophet deceitfully invites the first prophet back to eat with him. He accepts, though he shouldn't. God speaks through the 2nd prophet to condemn the first. A lion kills the first after he leaves, and the 2nd buries him honorably, in an act of repentance. Jeroboam doesn't heed the first prophet, but continues his divisive religious course.
2. Jesus
Jesus is the true prophet who speaks only the truth.
Jesus is a prophet who condemns wicked behavior, and many don't listen.
3. Application
a. When God rebukes you, listen.
b. When God divides nations or churches, confusion about what God is saying is prevalent. A lot of damage can result.
Death for Sin - 1 Kings 14
1. Text summary
Jeroboam's son gets very sick. He sends his wife incognito to a prophet to plead for his life. He exposes Jeroboam's ruse, condemns his idolatry, and predicts the child's death. In Rehoboam's Judah, idolatry multiplies. Egypt plunders the temple (the ark?). Israel and Judah are at civil war.
2. Jesus
Jesus is the son who dies, not for the father's sin, but for the people's.
The Father's plan is not self-seeking for his son, but the opposite - to restore the kingdom with the death of His son.
3. Application
Don't try to bribe or trick God - He knows everything.
You can't escape the consequences of idolatry, no matter what you try.
Crooked Kings - 1 Kings 15
1. Text summary
Abijam rules Judah 3 years, continuing idolatry.
Asa rules Judah 41 years, and removes idolatry as much as he can.
Asa bribes Syria to attack Israel, when Israel beseiges him.
Nadab rules Israel for 2 years, continuing in idolatry.
Baasha assasinates him, and wipes out Jeroboam's whole house, which fulfills prophecy. He rules in wickedness for 24 years.
2. Jesus
Jesus rules forever, in righteousness.
3. Application
Remove as much idolatry from your life as you can.
Realize that even God's chosen people had wicked rulers over them for much of the time. This is a very old problem!
Wicked Rulers - 1 Kings 16
1. Text summary
God condemns Baasha and does to him what he did to Jeroboam: wipe out his house.
Elah, Baasha's son, rules Israel 2 years, and is assasinated by a general, Zimri.
He wipes out Baasha's house, but only rules one week. Israel prefers the outranking general Omri, and makes him king. He besieges Zimri, who commits suicide.
Omri puts down a contender, and establishes Israel's capital at Samaria.
Omri pursues idolatry more than any before him, ruling for 12 years.
Ahab, his son, rules 22 years. He marries Jezebel, who brings Baal worship into Israel. He lets Jericho be rebuilt, which costs the builder his sons, as God predicted.
2. Jesus
Jesus establishes worship of His Father, among His people, not of other gods.
3. Application
Poetic justice is a real thing for God. (Baasha)
Unjust rule often means very temporary rule. (Elah, Zimri)
But not always. Castro's Cuba, and the Omri-Ahab dynasty show that wickedness can retain earthly power for a long time.
But not forever. Stay tuned...
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