That Old Prophet by R. C. Porter

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Apr 6, 1905

That Old Prophet

By R. C. Porter

R. C. PORTER

In the thirteenth chapter of First Kings, we have an illustration of the simple manner in which the Lord instructs his people of duties to be performed and dangers that confront them.

In this case there “came a man of God out of Judah by the word of the Lord unto Bethel.” Note that this was “a man of God,” and he came “by the word of the Lord.” He knew where to go. The Lord had plainly told him to go to “Bethel.” He was sent on a special mission, with a definite message. “And he cried against the altar in the word of the Lord, and said, O altar, altar, thus saith the Lord; Behold a child shall be born unto the house of David, Josiah by name; and upon thee shall he offer the priests of the high places that burn incense upon thee, and men’s bones shall be burnt upon thee. And he gave a sign the same day, saying, This is the sign which the Lord hath spoken; Behold, the altar shall be rent, and the ashes that are upon it shall be poured out.” Verses 2, 3.

King Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense at the very moment the

man of God reached the place, but he wavered not in bearing his message through fear of the king. The king, angered at the message, put forth his hand, saying, “Lay hold on him.” His hand was dried up, and he could not pull it in again. “The altar also was rent, and the ashes poured out from the altar, according to the sign which the man of God had given by the word of the Lord.” Verse 5. The king then besought the man of God to entreat the Lord for him, and pray for the restoration of his hand. The man of God besought the Lord, and the king’s hand was restored. The king then invited the man of God to go home with him and refresh himself, and he would give him a reward. “And the man of God said unto the king, If thou wilt give me half thine house, I will not go in with thee, neither will I eat bread nor drink water in this place: for so was it charged me by the word of the Lord, saying, Eat no bread, nor drink water, nor turn again by the same way which thou camest. So he went another way, and returned not by the way that he came to Bethel.” Verses 8-10.

How noble stands this prophet of God, marching straight forward in the line of God’s instruction, varying not from fear of the wrath of the king, knowing no fear but the fear of God, marching in hunger past the invitation to refresh himself at the king’s table, and in poverty refusing the reward proffered if he would but vary enough from the plain instruction the Lord had given to turn in and tarry but a few hours with the king. The sad part of the history of that eventful journey follows.

An old prophet, being informed by his sons of all the events at Bethel, requested his sons to saddle his beast, and he went after the man of God, “and found him sitting under an oak.” O, that fatal tarrying by the way while on the road fraught with so much peril! If he had but passed on in the fulfilment of his commission, with ever-quickening pace, how honorably would his mission have ended! Alas, that weary “man of God” seeks rest before his work is done, and is overtaken by the hastening enemy that is on his track to lure him into sin. The old prophet invites him back. At first he manfully refuses to turn from his plainly laid out mission. Then the old prophet tells him that he is also a prophet, and that an angel instructed him to call him back to eat and drink; but “he lied unto him.” The man of God who could not be turned aside from his work by the wrath or the bribe of the king, is ensnared by the old back-slidden prophet. For his error he must die. He never reached his home. We can but have feelings of pity for the poor man. He evidently meant to be true, but he allowed the word of a false prophet, who had perhaps once been himself devoted to God’s work, to lead him astray.

With what contempt we look upon this seductive agent of Satan, who with lies turns the man from his high commission, and secures his ruin. That saintly garb in the name of Christ has lured so many souls to death. Vile hypocrite, “stealing the livery of heaven to serve the devil”! Words are weak to properly express contempt for such as he.

All such scriptures, however, are full of meaning. The lesson was not only for that age, but for ours as well. Here is a people called to carry the last solemn message of God’s truth to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people. The message to be given is plainly stated. The extent of the work is as faithfully declared. The call demands haste. “Go ye out quickly,” for the house is soon to be filled. Excuses will not be accepted. Not one that offers an excuse “shall taste of my supper.” “For many are called, but few are chosen.”

The instruction is plainly given: “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth.” “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” 1 Tim. 6: 17-19.

How perilous the way! How the enemy is offering bribes to turn the “man of God” from the pathway to-day! How kings are preparing to deter him through fear of oppression by earthly powers! How the old prophet in saintly robes lures again to destroy! “Supposing that gain is godliness,” he tempts the man of God to turn back with him, saying, “My Lord delayeth his coming.”

A world, with open doors and outstretched hands, is beckoning the people under this message to speedily fill the world with light. An empty treasury bears testimony to our laying up treasures upon earth.

Some ministers who were once full of zeal in the work, are now laboring for perishable treasures, and manifesting little interest in foreign mission work, or in perishing souls around them. They are pointed to as an excuse for not following this plain instruction of God’s Word. Will this excuse any man? It is the old prophet over again. A back-slidden minister is as dangerous a decoy to lure souls to-day from the word of God as in the days of “the old prophet.” It is time for the church of Christ to awake. It is time for every “man of God” to follow God’s plain word, and not be deterred by kings, or bribed by worldly wealth, or turned aside by back-slidden professors, even though they bear the sacred title of ministers. The world must be warned. Tithes and offerings withheld, witness to our covetousness. Every soul that goes through with this message must turn squarely and honestly and whole-heartedly heavenward, and so take hold of this work that he shall not be swayed by love of the world, or the indifference of backsliders. Many are honestly and nobly living the word of God as God has given them light. Many are in great peril on account of the worldly influence that surrounds them. The weekly offerings to foreign missions are either neglected, or too small and grudgingly given, to be accounted in heaven as given for Christ. And tithes are withheld, while individuals follow the old prophet away from the plain word of God, and lay up treasures upon earth.

Listen to the exhortation of the Faithful and True Witness: “But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called.” Repent and live.

Hamilton, Mo.