Jeroboam, Affliction, Healing

Synopsis     1Kings 13:5-14     5/8/2019 

King Jeroboam had constructed altars throughout the northern Israelite kingdom. One day, while he was offering sacrifice before an altar in Bethel, a prophet of the Lord came to him from Judah. The prophet condemned the altar. So, Jeroboam commanded his men to apprehend the prophet. 

But as he gave the command, he simultaneously experienced a paralysis. Jeroboam recognized that the paralysis was a result of his defiance. And so, he begged the prophet to intercede with God on his behalf. In accordance with his request, the prophet prayed for healing. And, God immediately healed Jeroboam. 

The king resolved to reward the prophet for healing him. So, he asked him to stay and eat at the palace. But the prophet refused. He told the king that the Lord instructed to return immediately to his home. Additionally, he had been instructed by God to neither eat or drink during his journey.  

Jeroboam, Affliction and Healing 

The Judahite prophet offended Jeroboam. The new king’s project was to create a new religion and a distinct culture different from the one in Jerusalem. For this reason, any prophet working against him was a provocation. But a prophet from the tribe of Judah was simply intolerable.

Of course, Jeroboam’s mandate from God was to rule the northern Israelite kingdom. It wasn’t to start a new religion.

But, Jeroboam interpreted the temple in Jerusalem as a threat to his authority. So, he reasoned that starting a new religion was the only way to assure the security of his kingdom. 

As a result, it only made sense to persecute the prophet. But, the paralysis that afflicted Jeroboam as a result of his persecution was a wake-up call. He realized that he had strayed from God’s intention and he repented.

Affliction and Healing 

I find myself afflicted. Maybe my own bad habits have resulted in a disease. Or, maybe my own lack of love for others has produced yet another broken relationship. I feel the weight of my affliction. I experience the disvalue of my condition. 

And I hate it. I don’t want to be afflicted. So, I cry out to the God of all Creation. 

And strangely enough, God answers. Despite my filthy, self-serving, unrighteous habits, Jesus heals my afflictions.  

He has always healed my afflictions.  

It was good for me to be afflicted, in order to learn your statutes. The law of your mouth is more precious to me than heaps of silver and gold.” Psalm 119:71-72