Often people misunderstand the proper relationship of the Old Testament with the New, failing to realize that in this Christian age we are bound by the commands of the Gospel of Christ rather than the Law of Moses. However, when that realization is reached, often people then fail to see any real importance and profitableness in reading and studying the Old Testament. There are a number of good reasons to do so, but we wish to just give consideration to one in this article. The apostle Paul wrote, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (Rom. 15:4). Also note Paul wrote in reference to some Old Testament events, “Now all these things happened unto them for our ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come” (I Cor. 10:11). Thus we are to learn from both the mistakes as well as the successes found in the writings of the Old Testament. It has often been said that history is a great teacher. At this point we wish to illustrate our point by considering an event of the Old Testament and then noting various lessons that we can learn from it as they can be applied to this Christian age. Ever keep in mind that it is the lessons that must be heeded, not the commands given to those of the previous age.

When, because of the failure of Solomon to remain faithful to God, the nation of Israel was divided into two parts, the north being referred to as Israel and the southern kingdom being called Judah, Jeroboam was chosen to be the king of Israel. Fearing the people would go back to Jerusalem to worship and be influenced to return to Rehoboam, the king of Judah, Jeroboam set up two golden calves, one in Dan and the other in Bethel. He went on to set up his own religious practices to accommodate these gods of his making. The thirteenth chapter of First Kings presents us with the account of a young prophet that God sent to prophesy against the altar that Jeroboam had set up in Bethel. Space will not allow a quotation of the entire text so we urge the reading of I Kings 13:1-32. In short, the young prophet prophesied that the altar would be used by a man named Josiah, upon which to burn the bones of men and that all the idolatrous practices of Jeroboam would be stamped out. After Jeroboam had been stricken with and healed of illness, he invited the young prophet to come to his home to be fed and cared for. The young prophet refused, citing that God had commanded him to not stay, to eat or drink nothing and to return another way from the way which he went. He then complied with the commands of God and left. However, an old prophet stopped him and told him that God had sent him to intercept him and bring him home with him and care for him. However the text states, “But he lied unto him” (I Kings 13:18). Though the young prophet had rejected the temptation to go home with the king, he heeded the invitation of the old prophet, disobeyed God and later died without ever reaching home as a result.

There are four lessons that we would like to draw from this event, lessons that can well help us to be successful in serving God in this present Christian age. With the limited space left, we can but briefly consider these. The first and foremost lesson for us to learn is that just because someone claims to be speaking the word of God, does not mean they are speaking the word of God. Jesus Himself has warned, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves” (Matt. 7:15). The apostle John wrote, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (I John 4:1). And Peter wrote, “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you…” (II Pet. 2:1). One must study the word of God for themselves to determine the truth of every practice and doctrine held.

A second very important lesson that applies to man from creation until the end of time is that when God commands something, no matter what it is, obey him. Disobedience to God is sin and the wages of sin is death (Ezek. 18:20; Rom. 6:23). King, prophet, rich or poor, God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34; Rom. 2:11).

Our third lesson is that going part way in obeying God is insufficient. The young prophet obeyed God to a point, but then failed to complete the commands. King Saul did much of what God had commanded him in regard to destroying Amalek, but he fell short of completion and was rejected by God as a result (I Sam. 15). God demands complete and continued obedience.

The fourth lesson is that God will always do just exactly what He said He will do. It was a long time before the prophecy of the young prophet came to pass, but come to pass it did II Kings 23:15). Standing before the judgment seat of Christ and being judged by what we have done in this life as compared to God’s word will indeed come to pass (II Cor. 5:10).

Robert C. Oliver
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/web1_Robert-Oliver.jpgRobert C. Oliver

By Robert C. Oliver

Contributing columnist

Robert Oliver is pastor of The Church of Christ and a long-time columnist for The Sampson Independent. Send any questions or comments to: [email protected].