What messenger came to Jeroboam as he was officiating at Bethel, and what did he cry against the altar?
How long afterwards was this fulfilled? Ans. Three hundred and fifty-six years. 2 Kings 23.15.
What sign did he proceed to give which immediately came to pass, and what judgment befel the king?
How was he recovered, and how did he feel constrained to reward the prophet?
Did he express any desire to have his sin pardoned, or return any thanks to God for the miraculous cure?
What answer does the prophet make to his proposal? V. 8—10. N. B. This prohibition was probably intended as a testimony of the Lord's detestation of the execrable idolatry of the place. It was also a test of the prophet's obedience, such as we have had occasion to notice in several instances before.
Are we taught by his example to refuse urgent solicitations, when they would interfere with duty?
How did these circumstances come to the ears of the old prophet of Bethel, and what did he do in consequence?
Where did he overtake him, and what conversation ensued?
What were probably his motives in this conduct? N. B. He no doubt either designed to draw the man of God into a snare, and tempt him to transgress, or by treating him well to make a compromise with his own conscience for having neglected the very duty which this prophet had come so far to perform. On either supposition, the language he employed evinced the most horrible depravity.
Did the prophet of Judah weakly and criminally suffer himself to be persuaded?
In what consisted the crime of his compliance? N. B. "He could not be so certain of the countermand sent by another, as he was of the command given to himself; nor had he any ground to think that the command would be recalled, when the reason of it remained in force; he had great reason to suspect the honesty of this old prophet who did not bear witness against the idolatry of the city he lived in ; and at any rate, he should have taken time to beg direction from God, and not have complied so soon." HENRY.
Are good men more frequently liable to be led astray by the plausible arguments or examples of the pretended friends to religion, than by any thing else?
Ought we to be specially on our guard against worldly-minded professors who do not reprove sin in others?
Is it peculiarly perilous to follow any one, or to lead ourselves, in a course where conscience secretly reluctates and misgives us?
Have we as clear a rule of duty in God's word as this prophet had, and one which we are as much bound to be guided by?
What took place as they were sitting at the table?
Was this fearful sentence accordingly executed, and what were the circumstances?
Were some of these circumstances miraculous, and how was the body disposed of?
What inference do we draw from the fact that by far the most guilty party is left unpunished, while the good man dies for one transgression ?
Does this whole history give us a solemn view of God as a "jealous God?"
What does it teach us as to the consequences of the sins of his own people, whatever may have been their former character, services, or standing?
What expressions of grief did the old prophet utter at the funeral, and what charge did he give to his sons respecting his own burial?
Did he in this as well as in several other points resemble Balaam?
Is there any evidence that he was brought to repentance so as to escape in another world that punishment which he did in this?
What memorial was there in honor of the good prophet which distinguished his grave for some ages afterwards? 2 Kings. 23. 17.
Did all these things, instead of working a reformation in Jeroboam, even go to produce a contrary effect, and what evidence is there of it?
What was the final effect of his idolatry?
Does it appear therefore that the setting up of the calves, instead of perpetuating his house, as he intended, was the very means of bringing it sooner to destruction?
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