Hiel the Bethelite

Introduction

I began to name this the ‘Bible Person Study’, but chose to go with the ‘Bible Character Study’. I hesitated to name it that, as I don’t want to diminish the fact that these are real people we’ll be examining. But the reason that it’s named the Bible Character Study is because we’ll be focusing on the person’s character throughout. But don’t forget that these were real people, with real lives that made real choices that had real consequences.

I. Hiel’s Nature

((What is their History / Background?)

He was a Bethelite

One of the descriptors that we’re given concerning this man is that he was a Bethelite - which means that he was from the city of Bethel.

Bethel is a place that’s mentioned a few times in Scripture:

It was near where Abraham built & altar & called on the LORD after God called Him (Gen. 12:8)

The place of Jacob’s dream (Gen. 28:19)

It’s how God identified Himself to Jacob in Gen. 31:13.

It’s where God sent Jacob back to Gen. 35:1-3.

Near Ai, where the Israelites were defeated because of disobedience (Jos. 8)

But most importantly, in Hiel’s time it was known for another: (Read 1Ki. 12:26-33; 1Ki. 13:1) - One of the capital cities of heathen worship.

He was a Bethelite

He was a man of Means and Stature

This man had both the means and the stature to raise up an entire city.

This is important in the sense that it leads us to believe that he wasn’t an ignorant man, but one of intelligence.

He was a man of Means & Stature

II. Hiel’s Notoriety

(What they are known for?)

Rebuilding Jericho

The text says ‘building, but I said ‘rebuilding’ on purpose. Because if you remember - Jericho was a great, walled city at one point many years earlier. But God instructed the Israelites to march around it and God brought the walls down & they sacked the city.

The city had been in ruins, though there were surely inhabitants throughout.

This man Hiel, decided to rebuild the city.

Losing Two Sons in the Process

The Foundation is the beginning of the process, where as setting the gates is the finishing thereof.

His eldest son died at the beginning of the process of the build, and his youngest died at the conclusion.

Losing Two Sons in the Process

Fulfilling a Prophetic Curse (Jos. 6:26)

This verse isn’t just informational, but fulfilment of the prophetical.

We see at the conclusion of the destruction of Jericho it says: Joshua 6:24–26 “And they burnt the city with fire, and all that was therein: only the silver, and the gold, and the vessels of brass and of iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the Lord. And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father’s household, and all that she had; and she dwelleth in Israel even unto this day; because she hid the messengers, which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho. And Joshua adjured them at that time, saying, Cursed be the man before the Lord, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: he shall lay the foundation thereof in his firstborn, and in his youngest son shall he set up the gates of it.”

Hiel was fulfilling a prophetic curse that Joshua had placed on the man who would go to build up what God destroyed.

Fulfilling a Prophetic Curse

III. What Makes him Noteworthy

(What Lessons we can Learn from them?)

Leadership Matters

The first thing that we note in v34 is ‘In his days…’ - speaking of Ahab.

Going back up we see the ‘his’ is speaking of Ahab - a wicked king of Israel. This was the leadership in place when this great sin (which is what it was) was committed.

This wouldn’t have taken place under the reign of Asa - but it sure took place unto Ahab.

Leadership matters.

It matters in the nation

It matters in the church

It matters in the community

It matters in the schools

(Most importantly) It matters in the home

Thankfully, in each of these instances here in this country, we have a say in what our leadership looks like. Don’t take these opportunities for granted, because it matters.

Leadership matters

Environment Matters

I spoke about the fact that he was a Bethelite. I hope to give a few examples to demonstrate that our environment will have an effect upon our character.

Hiel was from a city of great false god worship. He was inundated with ungodliness. Is it any surprise that he would befall the Judgments of God as he did?

This was the environment that he was in - one in which people from all around would come to and bring sacrifices unto false gods daily. IT’S THE PLACE WHERE THE KING CAME TO WORSHIP A FALSE GOD! This is where this man is from.

(Ill.) We were blessed to get to see the Grand Canyon a few years ago. It was breathtaking. But let me ask you this: For one of the park rangers who worked there year round - do you think their awe of the wonder of it was the same as ours? No, because they’d become desensitized to it.

Hiel sure had in some form or fashion become desensitized to the perversion of worshipping a false god.

(Ill.) There’s a group that I heard about a couple years ago. This is a group out of San Francisco who are next-level hedonism. The ‘Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence’. They had an event this past weekend “No Easter without the ‘T’” - complete with children’s program before the ‘main event’.

This to you and I is quite shocking, but to San Francisco, it’s just another Sunday!

I said that to make a few points:

First: Church, the Spiritual environment in America is not good. Then sometimes we’ll agree, look at the world and think that we’re doing ok by comparison. But we must take caution against this:

(Ill.) Let’s say we’re going to have a beauty contest, and I am in it. If you line me up with:

Weird Al Yankovich

Jack Black

Meatloaf

I’m feeling pretty good about my chances!

However, if you line me up with:

Brad Pitt

Henry Cavill

Thor & Captain America

My confidence begins to wane

You see church, it’s all relative

But here’s the thing: I don’t want to be Godly relative to others around me - I want to be Godly in every sense of the Word - regardless of time & environment! And the only way to do that is to Judge Righteously according to the Word of God - not contemporary standards!

This is why when we look at something such as the music we listen to, we don’t judge whether it’s acceptable today, but whether it’s acceptable against the Word of God!

Secondly, we have some control over the environment we’re in & that of our children

We must make sure that we’re not putting ourselves in the position of hurting either ourselves or our loved ones Spiritually - the ungodly things of the world should SHOCK US, they shouldn’t SHRUG us!

Environment Matters

Our Struggles are Often of our Own Doing

Hiel suffered tremendously - but it was his own fault.

(Ill.) Let me say this: No one can mess up my life like I can. You don’t have near the influence in bringing my life to struggles like I do! We’re often our own worst enemies.

(Ill.) We see this in addicts all the time. In fact, the Bible’s depiction of an alcoholic is a tremendous example of this: (Read Pro. 23:29-35)

Do you know how to keep from self-destructing? STOP BEING LED BY SELF! Self leading is what leads to self-destructing!

Instead of being led by Self, we should be led by the Spirit! Galatians 5:17–18 “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.”

Our Struggles are Often of our Own Doing

Ignorance and Disobedience Often Suffer the Same

I have a hard time believing that this man suffered because he was ignorant of Joshua’s curse. I tend to believe that it was disobedience instead of ignorance - however, both ignorance and disobedience will lead to the same conclusion:

Matthew 15:14 “Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.”

Question: Who was Jesus speaking of? (The Pharisees - and their followers).

Question: Were they woefully ignorant, or willfully ignorant? (Willfully)

That’s the thing church, many people today might be ignorant - but willfully so. They have opportunity to know the truth, but rather than seek the truth, they covet after:

Feelings

Inclinations

Personalities

Etc.

But church, let God be true, and every man a liar. He promises wisdom if we’ll seek it: James 1:5 “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”

So whether it’s blatant disobedience, or willful ignorance, they are in essence the same and bring the same results.

Continued Disobedience Leads to Continued Judgments

Hiel suffered one Judgment from God with the death of his firstborn son. You’d thought it’d be enough for him, but instead he continued on in willful disobedience, until the culmination the death of his youngest.

Church, we must understand that if we’re going to be bullheaded and forsake the chastisement of the LORD, more will surely come - until a terrible conclusion: Proverbs 29:1 “He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, Shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.”

Continued Disobedience leads to Continued Judgments

It’s Important we Learn from our Mistakes

This leads us to this ever-so-important point - we must learn from our mistakes.

Mistakes are teaching tools. Everyone makes them - but what you do with them will determine your success or failure in life!

Proverbs 15:31–32 “The ear that heareth the reproof of life Abideth among the wise. He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: But he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.”

Proverbs 12:1 “Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: But he that hateth reproof is brutish.”

It’s important we learn from our mistakes

What God Destroys Should Stay that Way

Remember - it was God who destroyed Jericho. That’s the way He intended for it to be forevermore. Yet, man decided differently.

What God destroys should stay that way - dead.

I’ve seen too many people enjoy the victories of God in their lives - where God will destroy addictions and such - only to have man resurrect them later on.

Church let me ask - how many of you have experienced the victories of God in their lives? Where God brought them through something some addiction, hinderance, rock of offence, stumbling stone? Church, God doesn’t bring you through these things only to have you build back up those walls later on!

Too many Christians are fighting the same battles today that they have been fighting for years.

Give it to God

Get the Victory

Get moving forward!

What God destroys, should stay that way

God’s Word is Faithful

We see that what God declared by the mouth of Joshua years earlier, surely came to pass.

Church, this is ALWAYS THE CASE. God’s Word is TRUE, RIGHT, PERFECT & INFALLIBLE. God’s Word will ALWAYS come to pass!

Conclusion