Jeroboam has set up an idol and altar at Bethel so that the people of Israel would worship there rather than go to Jerusalem. A man of God is sent from Judah to condemn this place (v1-3). Jeroboam who was present stretches out his hand to give the order to seize this man of God, only for his hand to be withered up and so the altar was still torn down (v4-5). Jeroboam asks the man of God to intercede for him and his hand is then restored (v6).

Here we see how seriously God responds to false worship and His power to act. This man of God was faithful in the face of great danger and protected. God’s people need to graciously but clearly oppose all that is evil.

The man of God refuses Jeroboam’s offer of hospitality due to God’s command (v7-10). He is then tricked by this old prophet into breaking God’s commandment and dies because of this (v11-31).

We surely must feel great sympathy for this man of God, yet we see here how seriously God takes his servants disobedience. We need to seek God’s wisdom so as to be not tricked by the evil one and laid astray. We also need to be sure we’re like this sad old prophet who laid a good man astray.