CRS Keypoints: Obedience And Disobedience; For Bible students, obedience refers to the act of following God’s commands and laws. It is the willingness to submit to God’s authority and to do what is right in accordance with His will. Obedience is often seen as an act of love and devotion to God, and it is considered a crucial aspect of a person’s faith.
Disobedience, on the other hand, refers to the act of disregarding or breaking God’s commands and laws. It is the act of choosing to go against God’s will and authority. Disobedience can arise from a lack of faith, a desire for personal gain, or simply a disregard for God’s authority. In the Bible, disobedience often leads to negative consequences and can damage a person’s relationship with God.
CRS Keypoints: Obedience And Disobedience
The Bible tells many stories of obedience and disobedience to God. In this class, we will look at some examples of obedience and disobedience, and the rewards or consequences that follow.
I) Obedience and Rewards:
(a) Abraham (Gen. 22:1-19): God tested Abraham’s obedience by commanding him to sacrifice his son Isaac. Abraham obeyed without hesitation, but at the last moment, God provided a ram for the sacrifice instead. God rewarded Abraham’s obedience by promising to bless him and make his descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky.
(b) Hebrew Midwives (Ex. 1:8-22): Pharaoh commanded the Hebrew midwives to kill all the male Hebrew babies at birth. But the midwives feared God and disobeyed Pharaoh’s order. God rewarded them by giving them families of their own.
(c) David (1 Sam. 30:1-20): David and his men returned to their town to find that their families and possessions had been taken captive by the Amalekites. David asked God for guidance and pursued the Amalekites. With God’s help, David and his men were able to rescue their families and possessions. God rewarded David’s obedience by giving him victory over his enemies.
II) Disobedience and Consequences:
(a) Adam (Gen. 2:15-25; 3): God commanded Adam not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. But Adam disobeyed and ate the fruit, bringing sin and death into the world. God punished Adam by making him work hard for his food and banishing him from the Garden of Eden.
(b) Collection of Manna (Ex. 16:22-30): God commanded the Israelites not to collect manna on the Sabbath day, but some of them disobeyed and went out to collect it anyway. God punished them by not providing any manna on the Sabbath day.
(c) The Golden Calf (Ex. 32): While Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments from God, the Israelites became impatient and made a golden calf to worship instead. God punished them by sending a plague and by having many of them killed.
(d) Moses (Num. 20:7-12; Deut. 34:1-6): Moses disobeyed God’s command to speak to a rock to bring forth water for the Israelites. Instead, he struck the rock with his staff. God punished Moses by not allowing him to enter the Promised Land.
(e) Saul (1 Sam. 10:1-16; 15:1-25; 16:14-23; 31:1-13): Saul was anointed as the first king of Israel, but he disobeyed God’s commands on several occasions. God punished him by removing the kingdom from him and giving it to David instead.
In conclusion, obedience to God brings rewards, while disobedience brings consequences. We should strive to obey God in all that we do, and trust in His wisdom and goodness.
Why Did Abraham, David & Hebrew Midwives Obey God
Abraham, the Hebrew midwives, and David obeyed God because they had faith in God’s promises, love for Him, and a desire to do His will. They trusted that obeying God would lead to blessings and that disobedience would result in negative consequences.
ii. The rewards of obedience in the Bible
They include blessings, protection, prosperity, guidance, and eternal life. For example, God blessed Abraham with descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky, the Hebrew midwives were blessed with families of their own, and David was promised an everlasting kingdom.
Compare the disobedience of Adam, the people of Israel, Moses, and Saul
Adam disobeyed God by eating from the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil, which God had forbidden. The people of Israel disobeyed God by worshiping idols and grumbling in the wilderness. Moses disobeyed God by striking the rock instead of speaking to it, as God had commanded. Saul disobeyed God by not fully carrying out His commands.
The reasons for their disobedience varied, but some common factors include a lack of faith, fear, pride, and a desire for power and control. Adam and Eve were tempted by Satan to doubt God’s goodness and trust in their own judgment. The people of Israel often struggled to trust God’s provision and leadership. Moses acted out of frustration and anger. Saul was influenced by his own pride and jealousy.
Consequences of disobedience
The consequences of disobedience in the Bible include punishment, judgment, loss of blessings, and separation from God. For example, Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden and subjected to a life of hardship and toil. The people of Israel faced exile, defeat in battle, and captivity. Moses was not allowed to enter the promised land, and Saul lost his kingdom and ultimately his life.
