Just as quickly as Jeroboam fell into the sin of forming a new religion, God sent his servant to rebuke him. As Jeroboam was standing beside the altar of one of his places of worship, a man of God came and warned him of the terrible consequences of his sin. A man named Josiah would be born in the house of David, and the nation of Israel would be punished severely by God. “On you he will sacrifice the priests of the high places who make offerings here, and human bones will be burned on you.” (2) The man of God gave Jeroboam a sign, in case he didn’t believe him. The sign was that the altar would be split apart, and ashes would fall out of it. Jeroboam was furious and tried to have the man of God seized, but when he stretched out his hand it was shriveled. Just then, the sign the man of God spoke came true.

King Jeroboam didn’t repent. He didn’t ask for the restoration of God’s mercy on Israel. Instead, he asked for his hand to be healed, which the man of God graciously did. The king then invited the man of God for a meal, but he refused, saying the Lord had commanded him not to eat or drink anything and must not return the way he came. The man of God was absolute with God’s word. Jeroboam was careless. His nation would pay the price.
Application: Father, thank you for your servants who remind us of your word. Help us to listen to them and repent before it is too late.
One Word: Sin has terrible consequences