Jeroboam is going up against God over and over again. A simple reading of the Scriptures of his day told us that. So, The LORD is going to give Jeroboam one more chance.
At the LORD's command, a man of God from Judah went to Bethel, arriving there just as Jeroboam was approaching the altar to burn incense. Then at the LORD's command, he shouted, "O altar, altar! This is what the LORD says: A child named Josiah will be born into the dynasty of David. On you he will sacrifice the priests from the pagan shrines who come here to burn incense, and human bones will be burned on you." (1 Kings 13:1-2 NLT)
Prophets are simply speakers for God. They relay messages that The LORD wants them to deliver. Their message will always be consistent with the messages from The LORD that came before them. In other words, their messages will always be consistent with Scripture (Deuteronomy 13:1-5).
That same day the man of God gave a sign to prove his message. He said, "The LORD has promised to give this sign: This altar will split apart, and its ashes will be poured out on the ground." When King Jeroboam heard the man of God speaking against the altar at Bethel, he pointed at him and shouted, "Seize that man!" But instantly the king's hand became paralyzed in that position, and he couldn't pull it back. At the same time a wide crack appeared in the altar, and the ashes poured out, just as the man of God had predicted in his message from the LORD. (1 Kings 13:3-5 NLT)
In addition to consistent messages, a prophet will always offer a sign, miracle, or short term prediction to confirm that the prophet is being sent from God. This is offered as a sign form God that the person is a true prophet (Deuteronomy 18:15-22). This prophet passed both the tests of prophecy. He was empowered by God with the Holy Spirit of God. That is the same Spirit that is offered to all of us today.
"Repent," Peter said to them, "and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children, and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call." (Acts 2:38-39 HCSB)
How about you? Would you have recognized the difference between a true prophet and a false prophet back then? Would you have listened to the wisdom of a true prophet? Have you received the Holy Spirit now? Do you listen to the wisdom of The LORD through God’s Spirit?
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