Commentary on "The Man of God: Obedience Is Not Optional"

ROSS COOPER

 

Day 3: Monday, November 29, 2010 - God's Move

 

I’d like to note that the phrase “A man of God came“ can be used to either describe the continuation of what was mentioned at the end of the previous chapter, or the start of an entirely unconnected event. That said what Jeroboam is doing is not good, it is making a mockery of God and the proper worship of him. And this man of God comes along and tells him off right smart letting Jeroboam know on no uncertain terms that God was very very upset.

The Prophet makes sure that Jeroboam realizes that the altar is illegal. Also as Prophets speaking for God are known to do He mentions someone- in this case Josiah who won’t be around for nearly 300 years.

He says that Josiah, of the House of David will defile it by burning the excavated bodies of temple High Priests on it in the future and as proof that what this prophet is saying is true he predicts that the altar is going to be destroyed and its ash will fall out everywhere.

And it did moments later, the spilling of the ashes from the broken altar represent the verification that and sacrifices that had been and would be given on this altar were unacceptable for worship to God. The broken altar simply represented the fact that the altar itself was illegal.

Jeroboam then points His finger in accusation at the Prophet, which is a not so smart idea. He’s already in deep threatening God with his false offerings on a false altar, with false idols, now he’s pointing at the man of God.

 

Key Concept for Spiritual Growth

As a Christ Follower we must be fully committed to Christ, to do this we must first be certain that we have given our lives over to the Lord. Have you truly come to a realization that you’re dead to sin in the domain of darkness? Have you come to Christ at the Cross and admitted that you’re full of sin and realize that you need to give Him your Sin and allow Him to come in through the Holy Spirit?

Only once you’ve given your life over to God, and His Holy Spirit lives in you, can you trust your conscience because it is now under the direct control of the Holy Spirit.

Remember that once you accept the sacrifice of the Cross and the gift of Salvation your life is no longer your own. You were brought at the cross and now God owns you. Your life is not your life anymore; it is His life through you.

Our obedience, when we realize who is in ownership of us, is to follow the Holy Spirit that has been put in us. If we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in our lives then we are being obedient to God.

 

GO TO DAY 4

 

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