THE LION THAT STOOD STILL

1 Kings 13:1–32

The story of the man of God from Judah is one of the most haunting in all the Old Testament. It is not well known, yet it whispers a truth every disciple must hear. It tells of obedience and deception, of faith and folly, of a lion that became a preacher of holiness on a dusty road between Bethel and Judah.

The man of God had been sent by the Lord with a message of fire. His words shook the altar and struck fear into the heart of a rebellious king. The arm that reached out to seize him withered instantly, and at the prophet’s prayer it was restored again. Heaven had backed the man’s mission with miracles, and his courage burned bright. Yet the command was clear: “Eat no bread, drink no water, and return not by the way you came.”

This was no small instruction. It was a test of spiritual precision, a command to keep himself separate from the place of sin. The Lord was saying, “Do not linger among those who have defiled My altar.” The man of God obeyed, at least at first. He turned away from royal reward and walked into the wilderness of obedience. His heart was still beating with the thunder of God’s voice.

But the story takes a sorrowful turn. There lived in Bethel an old prophet who had once heard from God but now dwelt among idols. Hearing what had happened, he saddled his donkey and rode to find the man of God. He found him sitting beneath an oak tree, weary from the day’s journey. Perhaps the younger prophet’s heart was heavy with loneliness, and his stomach ached with hunger. That is often when temptation comes—not as an attack but as an invitation.

The old prophet spoke softly, claiming an angel had told him to bring the man of God home for a meal. The younger man hesitated, but the words sounded holy. Surely an older prophet, seasoned and sincere, could be trusted. So he rose and went with him.

That was the turning point. He sat at the table that God told him to avoid. And as the bread was broken, the real word of the Lord came to the old prophet—this time a word of judgment. “Because you have disobeyed the command of the Lord,” said the trembling voice, “your body shall not come to the tomb of your fathers.”

He left the table. The donkey carried him down the road, and then came the lion—silent, swift, and certain. One strike, and the journey was over. The lion did not tear the donkey, nor devour the man. It simply stood still beside the body. Travelers passed and marveled. It was a miracle that preached without words. The lion was not hungry. It was holy. It stood as a sentinel of divine justice, a symbol that God’s Word stands unbroken.

The old prophet came, weeping. He buried the man of God in his own tomb, saying, “Alas, my brother!” Sorrow filled the air. It is one thing to die by the hand of an enemy; it is another to fall by the error of misplaced trust.

We are reminded that partial obedience is not obedience at all. God’s commands are not to be edited by the opinions of men, not even by those who once spoke His word. Truth may come through men, but it never bows to them. The command of the Lord must always have the last word.

How solemn, how tender, and how true is this warning! Many begin well. They burn with conviction, speak with courage, and walk in the way of the Lord. But somewhere along the journey, they grow weary beneath the oak tree. They start to listen to other voices. The enemy does not always roar like a lion; sometimes he whispers like an old prophet.

The disobedient man of God reminds us that sincerity does not sanctify error. The lie was told with pious lips, but it was still a lie. To disobey God, even with good intentions, is to step outside His protection. Yet even in judgment, there was mercy. The lion did not devour him—it preserved the testimony. The same God who sent the lion also restrained it, proving that His justice is not cruel but precise.

And what of us? We live in a world of many voices, each claiming authority. There are teachers who speak of angels, dreams, and visions. There are traditions that sound ancient and respectable. But the question remains: What has the Lord said? The disciple must test every word by the Word. If it does not align with the command of Christ, it must be refused, however gentle the voice that speaks it.

The lion that stood still still preaches today. It tells us that God’s Word does not change to suit convenience. It reminds us that obedience is sacred, and that fellowship with the disobedient is dangerous. It tells us that the way of holiness is narrow, and that it is better to walk alone with God than to sit at a full table in disobedience.

Let the weary disciple take courage. The same God who disciplines also defends. He who sent the lion to guard His Word has also sent the Lamb to guard our souls. In Jesus Christ we see both the severity and the mercy of God. The Lion of Judah has conquered sin, and the Lamb of God has borne it away. In Him, justice and mercy meet.

So let us walk humbly. Let us be careful listeners and obedient servants. Let us test every spirit, every doctrine, and every invitation by the clear Word of the Lord. When His command is plain, let no voice—however kind—turn us aside.

The lion still stands on that ancient road as a living lesson that obedience matters. The tree where the prophet rested, the house where he ate, and the road where he fell—all bear witness that the Word of the Lord endures forever.

And yet, there is grace even here. The old prophet buried the younger with honor, confessing his own guilt. Perhaps that burial was an act of repentance. Perhaps God used even the old prophet’s sorrow to remind Israel that disobedience is deadly, but humility can still find mercy.

The Lord Jesus calls us to a higher obedience, not born of fear but of love. His commands are not burdensome because they come from the heart of One who died for us. When we follow Him, we walk in light. When we obey Him, our steps are steady, and our hearts are safe.

Lord Jesus, teach me to love Your Word more than my own understanding. When other voices call me to compromise, help me to hear only Yours. Keep me faithful when the path is lonely and firm when the way is unclear. Let my obedience bring You joy and my life bear witness that Your Word is truth.

Amen.

Bryan Dewayne Dunaway