Listen to God’s words; God’s words do not change. Do not let your guard down.

The man of God was supposedly close to God, as suggested by the term ‘man of God’, just like Moses, Elijah, and Elisha. Things were thus more severe for the man of God. When the old prophet lied to the man of God, the man of God did not seem to wonder why the instructions that were previously given to him suddenly changed.

Perhaps the man of God wanted to fulfil his own desires and the old prophet’s lie was an excuse he used in order to do so. The man of God was actually not done with the task that was given to him because he was taking a break by resting under the tree and may have even thought that nothing could go wrong by just resting under a tree. Yet it is oftentimes when we let our guard down that we fall, so we have to stay vigilant.

God’s Words will not change. God’s instruction will not change. God’s commandment will not change.

The Word of God is already cast in stone, and what we can learn from the man of God is that we must really know and distinguish what is the boundary, what are the things we should do and what are the things we can do. God just requires all of us to obey the Word of God and go about doing our duties, and we will be fine.

As for dreams and visions, they will be compliant with what the Word of God says if they are from God, and the message will be clear because it is a message God is trying to tell you. If you do not understand the vision, it may or may not be from God, then we should probably just take it with a pinch of salt.

Isaiah 40:8 The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.”

Things we may think are small, may result in disastrous consequences.

The man of God still had to bear the consequences even though the old prophet lied.

This was also the old prophet’s moment of folly. The old prophet could have been retired.

When we have been in the service for a long time, we may think that we know what we are doing, and may even think that God is not strict, or think that God will not mind if we do something like what the old prophet did.

However, this kind of attitude is not right to have. Even though God works with us, that does not mean that we can simply do our duties. This chapter gives us a good warning that we should not simply do things.

Press on to the end

Verse 33

Jeroboam did not turn back. We can become obedient even though we were once disobedient. And if we are obedient, we should continue to be obedient. This is an important reminder to us to be obedient to the end. Just because we win some battles, does not mean we have won the war.

And just because we lose some battles, does not mean we have lost the war.

We must constantly remind ourselves that the war is not won at half-time, so even if we were good at the start, that does not mean that we are good all the way. Just like the man of God who did not finish his duty, he let his guard down before that battle was won, and that was his last battle.

Let us press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let us also endure temptation, for when we have been approved, we will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

Philippians 3:14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

James 1:12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

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