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Book of 1 Kings - Chapter 13 - Verse 22

13:22
But camest back, and hast eaten bread and drunk water in the place, of the which the LORD did say to thee, Eat no bread, and drink no water; thy carcase shall not come unto the sepulchre of thy fathers.

Meaning

Within this verse from the book of 1 Kings in the Old Testament, there is a story that serves as a cautionary tale about disobedience to God’s commands. The verse references a prophet who was given specific instructions by the Lord to not eat bread or drink water in a certain place. However, when another man invited the prophet to his home and offered him food and drink, the prophet accepted it, contrary to the Lord’s command. As a result of his disobedience, the prophet was informed that his body would not be buried in the ancestral tomb of his fathers.

This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience and faithfulness to God’s word. It warns against the consequences of disregarding divine instructions and the seriousness of deviating from God’s plan. The actions of the prophet in eating and drinking in the forbidden place demonstrate the consequences of giving in to temptation and straying from the path set by God. Ultimately, this verse underscores the significance of following God’s commands and the repercussions that can follow when those commands are ignored.

Theological Overview

This verse from 1 Kings 13:22 recounts the disobedience of a prophet who was sent by God to deliver a message to King Jeroboam. The theological interpretation of this verse centers on the consequences of disobedience to God's specific instructions. The prophet was explicitly told not to eat or drink in the land he was visiting, as a sign of his dedication to God's word. However, he was deceived by an older prophet who claimed to have received a contradicting message from an angel. The choice to believe this false prophet and go against the direct command of God led to tragic consequences for the disobedient prophet. The phrase "thy carcase shall not come unto the sepulchre of thy fathers" highlights the severity of God's judgment for those who choose to disobey Him. This passage serves as a warning to believers to carefully discern God's voice amidst conflicting messages and to remain obedient to His commands, no matter the circumstances.

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