1 Ki. 13:1-2; 2 Ki. 23:15-20, Lessons from Obscurity: Fulfilled Prophecy

We usually think of prophecy as relating to the Incarnation or perhaps the Messianic Kingdom or other apocalyptic/end time events.  Prophecies fulfilled in the Incarnation tell us a lot.  They speak of the character and reality of God.  Over 50 times Ezekiel says something to the effect, “Then they will know that I am the LORD.”  What it is saying is that when you see these things fulfilled you will know that YAHWEH is the only true God.  The fulfilled prophecies also tell us that God is faithful.  They are a validation of the truth of God’s word.

What does this have to do with “lessons from obscurity.”  Well, sure enough, the OT gives us a great sampling of our great God through 10 fulfilled prophecies you may have never heard about. 

·       Josh. 6:26: After the victory at Jericho, Joshua predicted that when the city was rebuilt the foundation would be laid with the death of the elder son of the builder, and the gate set up with the death of his youngest. Fulfilled: 1 Ki. 16:34.

·       1 Ki. 13:20-22: We studied this one.  The old prophet of Israel predicted the man of God from Judah would die on his way home for defying the word of the LORD.  Fulfilled just hours later: 1 Ki. 13:23-24.

·       1 Ki. 13:2: The same man of God from Judah told Jeroboam that a king named Josiah would destroy the altar of the golden calves at Bethel and burn the bones of the priests.  Fulfilled 325 years later: 2 Ki. 23:15-20.

·       1 Ki. 14:12-13: We studied this also.  Ahijah told King Jeroboam’s wife that their infant child would die when she returned to the palace.  Fulfilled: 1 Ki. 14:17-18.

·       1 Ki. 21:23: Elijah predicted Jezebel would die, not be buried but be eaten by dogs by the wall of Jezreel.  Fulfilled a few years later: 2 Ki. 9:34-37.

·       1 Ki. 22:17,23,28: Micaiah the prophet predicted the death of Ahab that very day.  Fulfilled, that very day: 1 Ki.. 22:34-35.

·       2 Ki. 7:2-3: Elisha predicted that the officer on whose arm the king leaned would see the end of the famine and not taste of it, but would die.  Fulfilled the next day: 2 Ki. 7:17-20.

·       2 Ki. 20:16-18: Isaiah predicted Babylon would be the nation that would carry Judah into captivity.  At the time of the prophecy, Assyria was the major world power.  Prophecy fulfilled 100 years later: 2 Ki. 35.

·       Isa. 44:28: Isaiah predicted by name that Cyrus would make the decree for Israel to return to the land and rebuild the temple.  Fulfilled about 170 years later: Ezra 1:1-4.

·       Jer. 28:15-16: Jeremiah predicted the false prophet Hananiah would die by year's end.  Fulfilled: Jer. 28:17.

·       Jer. 38:14-23: Jeremiah predicted that if King Zedekiah would surrender to the Babylonians his life would be spared.  If he did not surrender, his family would be given over to the Babylonians and he would be taken to Babylon.  Fulfilled: Jer. 39:1-10.  Zedekiah’s predecessor, Jehoiachin, fulfilled the other prophecy.  He surrendered, along with the royal family (2 Ki. 24:12) and was taken to Babylon, and after a time of imprisonment was released to a life of royal comfort (2 Ki. 25:27-30).