Jadon: The Unnamed Prophet

The Unnamed Prophet• The message of the man of God1 Kings 13:1-10• The Fulfillment of the prophecy (300 years

later)2 Kings 23:15-20

The Unnamed Prophet• The unknown servant– In Scripture, he is unnamed– According to Josephus, Jadon is the name of this

minor prophet – Does not direct attention to himself, but to the

Lord and His Words– He spoke to the Altar, not to the people

The Unnamed Prophet• The brave servant

– Spoke in the presence of the king– He does not ‘see’: king, congregation, priests– Symbolizes every brave voice that serves

without fear – John the Baptist– Assured of the truth (even if 300 years later)

The Unnamed Prophet• The upright servant

– Not moved by the king’s threats nor his gifts– Satan’s two methods

• The merciful servant– Declared God’s wrath– Declared God’s mercy:

• “So the man of God entreated the LORD…”

Under an Oak Tree• The prophet rests!1 Kings 13:11-19• Why did he sit under the oak?

– To think, contemplate, reminisce?

• 1st Temptation: Pride - on the pinnacle of the temple– Proud of his accomplishment: bravery,

exemplary conduct, obedience?• Story: John Wesley’s admirer

– Beware of the “Oak of Success"

Under an Oak Tree• 2nd Temptation: Hunger – stone into bread

– After the long trip from Judah to Bethel – Rejected the king’s offer– How can God leave him hungry?– He fulfilled his service successfully, where is

the reward?– He is due food and drink and

necessities of life!– Why does he hunger?– Why is he suffering?– Where is God’s care and love?

Under an Oak Tree• 3rd Temptation: vain glory – on the

mountaintop– Why did he refuse the king’s offer?– Maybe he should have thought about it more– He should have remained with the king to give

him guidance– Will the king understand the message

without a spiritual father to guide him?

Jadon and the Old Prophet• Betrayal!1 Kings 13:19-24• Satan can take the form of an angel!

– “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me” (Matt 16:23)

– “You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened…” (Gen 3:4)

• Why did the Old Prophet go to Jadon? Why did he deceive him?– Jealousy? Admiration? Curiosity?

• The problem: Jadon disobeyed God!

Jadon and the Lion• Tragic end!1 Kings 13:24-32• The lion did not devour the corpse, nor the

donkey.– This was punishment, not hunger– The lion: Satan – fierce, cruel,

unsympathetic – The donkey: state of the nation

– ignorance• “The ox knows its owner And the

donkey its master’s crib; But Israel does not know, My people do not consider.” (Isa 1:3)

Divine Punishment• Expected order of punishment:

• Jeroboam, the evil king• The deceitful old prophet• Jadon

• Actual order:• Jadon, old prophet, Jeroboam!• Servant may be the first to receive punishment!• “Let not many of you become teachers,

knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.” (James 3:1)

• God expected more of Jadon than of the old prophet and of Jeroboam

• Death of the flesh, but the spirit is saved– Evidence: Josiah’s honor of his tomb (2Ki 23)

Jadon: The Unnamed Prophet

• The unknown servant– Does not direct attention to himself, but to the Lord

and His Words

• The brave servant– Spoke in the presence of the king

• The upright servant– Not moved by the king’s threats

nor his gifts

• The merciful servant– Declared God’s wrath and mercy

Jadon: The Unnamed Prophet

• Temptations of the Oak tree (rest)– Pride– Hunger– Vain glory

• Betrayal!– Satan can take the form of an angel– The bottom line: will we disobey?– Satan will not show any mercy, he will destroy– Will our state be that of a donkey: ignorance?

• God expects more of his servants