1 Kings 13: I am a frail human being

Verse 24:

As he went on his way, a lion met him on the road and killed him, and his body was left lying on the road, with both the donkey and the lion standing beside it.

◇ A man of God came from Judah to Bethel by the word of the Lord and prophesied against Jeroboam, who was standing by the altar to make an offering. He announced that the altar in Bethel would be split apart (see 2 Kings 22-23). Angered by this, Jeroboam stretched out his hand from the altar and said, "Seize him!" But the hand he stretched out toward the man shriveled up, so that he could not pull it back. The man of God's prayer restored the king's hand. Jeroboam then invited the man of God to his palace to eat and to receive a gift, but he refused, saying that the Lord had commanded him not to eat or drink and not to return by the way he had come.

However, the man of God was deceived by an old prophet from Bethel into eating and drinking in his house, and on his way back, he was killed by a lion. This was the same prophet who had stood firm against King Jeroboam's temptations and had refused him by citing the command of the Lord. He had been a prophet who obeyed the Lord's commands absolutely. Yet, he was so easily tricked by the old prophet's deception and met such a vain death. It is truly a perplexing and difficult scene to understand.

This is the nature of humanity. If we are not careful, even for a moment, we can fall. Even the most faithful servants of God, the greatest workers for the Lord, can be tricked by Satan's deceptions. We are all humans who can easily fall. This is why we must always be humble. This is why we must always be vigilant. This is why we must always comfort, encourage, and cooperate with one another.

We are indeed such frail human beings.

♧ Lord, knowing my weakness, may I always remain humble, vigilant, and cooperative with my fellow workers. Holy Spirit, lead me in the truth!