Old Prophet – Preaching
Preaching Outline on I Kings 13:14-28 – And he went after the man of God, and found him sitting under an oak tree, and said to him: Are you the man of God who came from Judah? And he said, “Yes. Then he said to him, “Come with me into the house and eat some bread. But he said, “I cannot return with you, nor go in with you; neither will I eat bread with you, nor drink water with you in this place.
Deception and Disobedience in I Kings 13
Introduction to I Kings 13:14-28
The narrative of 1 Kings 13 presents an intriguing episode full of spiritual lessons. A man of God, sent by God to Bethel to prophesy against King Jeroboam and the idolatrous altar, is given clear orders: don’t eat, don’t drink and don’t return the same way. However, an old prophet deceives him, leading to disobedience and a tragic end.
This story, although ancient, has a timeless message that resonates strongly today. The “old prophet” symbolizes the deceptive influence that can lead us astray from God’s path, leading us to disobedience and its consequences. Just as the man of God was seduced by the words of the old prophet, we too can be deceived by false teachers, deceptive ideologies and carnal desires that lead us away from God’s will.
The historical context of I Kings 13 places us before a divided kingdom, marked by idolatry and disobedience to God. Jeroboam, king of Israel, had set up two golden calves as objects of worship, leading the people astray from the true worship of the Lord. In the midst of this apostasy, God sent a man of God to confront the king and prophesy the destruction of the idolatrous altar.
The story of the man of God and the old prophet warns us about the importance of unconditional obedience to God’s word. Divine instructions, even if they seem strange or defy our logic, are always intended for our good and protection. Disobedience, on the other hand, paves the way for deception, pain and destruction.
May the analysis of this biblical text lead us to reflect deeply on our own lives and help us to discern the voices around us. May we learn from the mistake of the man of God and stand firm in the truth, resisting temptation and following the path that God points out to us.
Development
“As he went, he found the old prophet…” (v. 14)
When the old prophet meets the man of God, he uses tricks to convince him to disobey the divine order. He lies, claiming to have received a message from an angel, authorizing him to invite the man of God to eat and drink in his house.
Nowadays, we see “old prophets” rising up in different spheres of society, spreading misleading messages and distorting the truth. They may present themselves as religious leaders, digital influencers, intellectuals or even well-meaning friends, but their words and actions aim to lead people astray from God’s path.
Just as the old prophet used his position and authority to deceive the man of God, today, many people take advantage of their influence to manipulate and control others, leading them to believe lies and follow paths that are opposed to God’s will. We need to be vigilant and discern the voices around us, always seeking the truth in God’s Word.
“…And he said to him: Come back with me, and eat bread and drink water.” (v. 15)
The old prophet insists on inviting the man of God to eat and drink, even though he has received express orders from God not to do so. He uses persuasion and false promises to convince the man of God to disobey.
In the same way, the world offers us countless temptations that seek to divert us from God’s path. The appeal of pleasure, comfort, success and social acceptance can be very strong, leading us to compromise our values and disobey God’s commandments.
You have to resist temptations and stand firm in your obedience to God, even when it means going against the current and renouncing momentary pleasures. True happiness and a fulfilling life are found in doing God’s will and following his ways.
“But he said to him, ‘I cannot return with you or enter with you, nor will I eat bread or drink water with you in this place. (v. 16)
Initially, the man of God is firm in his obedience, refusing the old prophet’s invitation. He recognizes the importance of following divine instructions and doesn’t get carried away by appearances or persuasive words.
This attitude of firmness and obedience is essential for resisting the temptations and deceptions of the world. We need to be convinced of the truth and have the courage to say “no” to sin and the invitations that lead us away from God.
However, history shows us that the man of God gave in to the pressure of the old prophet and ended up disobeying the divine order. This teaches us that vigilance and resistance to temptation must be constant, because the enemy is always on the prowl, trying to divert us from the right path.
Conclusion of I Kings 13:14-28
The narrative of the old prophet and the man of God in 1 Kings 13 warns us about the dangers of deception and disobedience. Just as the man of God was seduced by the words of the old prophet, we too can be deceived by false doctrines, misleading ideologies and carnal desires that lead us away from God’s will.
We need to be vigilant, discern the voices around us and stand firm in our obedience to God’s Word. Disobedience, however small it may seem, opens the way to deception, pain and destruction.
May the story of the old prophet and the man of God inspire us to seek the truth, to resist temptation and to follow the path that God shows us. May we learn from past mistakes and live a life of faithfulness and obedience to our Creator.
Preaching Outline on I Kings 13:14-28 – And he went after the man of God, and found him sitting under an oak tree, and said to him: Are you the man of God who came from Judah? And he said, “Yes. Then he said to him, “Come with me into the house and eat some bread. But he said, “I cannot go back with you, nor will I come in with you; neither will I eat bread nor drink water with you in this place.
More Preaching Outlines
- II Timothy 4:6-9 – “Come to me quickly.”
- Gideon’s Call – Judges 6:11-12
- Wheat in the Press – Judges 6:11
