(ThyBlackMan.com)
In spite of all this, they still sinned; despite his wonders, they did not believe.
Psalm 78:32 ESV
God’s dealings with the children of Israel in the wilderness is a well of constant inspiration from which I frequently draw. I’m amazed by the miracles performed by God on behalf of His people and His continuous care of their sojourns and wanderings. To tell the truth, I envy them. I’m jealous of what their eyes saw and their ears heard. Scripture describes them hearing the voice of God like the sound of trumpets. They witnessed the Lord throwing boulders from heaven upon their enemies.
They watched the ground open its mouth to devour naysayers and their rebellious lot from the congregation. What mighty works the Lord God did among them! Reading these dealings is enough to bolster any believer’s faith regardless of circumstance. And yet, I’m baffled that “in spite of all this, they still sinned; despite his wonders, they did not believe.”
Quite honestly, I’m shocked! The depth of their unbelief was such that in the face of seeing acquaintances die because of their unruly ways, they remained steadfast and undeterred from sinning against the Lord. They saw the anger of God; they felt the heat of kindling, yet they warmed themselves and nurtured their stony hearts by the fires of His indignation. They saw the greatness of His power; He strewn water from rocks, drowned armies in the Sea, and saw even Miriam rebuked for her error. However, even these events couldn’t convince them to consider their ways and change their course. What boldness! What audacity! They looked upon God’s devastating judgment and shrugged their shoulders.
The goodness of God in the performance of wonders could do nothing to fortify their belief. God leading them as a tour guide through the desert by pillars of fire and cloud must have felt ordinary to them. The Lord feeding them Angel’s food, the very Bread of Heaven, must have been too base and typical for their exquisite tastes.
The Lord routed their enemies before them or rerouted them around dangerous men, but that could not convince them of His concern for their wellbeing. No, the Scriptures report they provoked God to anger. His wonders could not inspire wonder or awe; His goodness towards them could not invoke good from them. It’s not they could not believe; they would not believe.
But dear Christian, we mustn’t be too hard on the nascent nation. Yes, with all the wonders and terrors of the Lord displayed before them, they continued to sin and live in unbelief of the Majesty on high. However, we must be careful, for we have a record of the Lord’s dealings with His chosen nation, as well as the coming of His Son canopied in the flesh, and yet we, too, have struggled to believe His word, despite His wonderful workings in our lives.
The Scriptures admonish us to believe to the saving of our souls and enter into the resting place, the promised land God has prepared for us. Therefore, though their depth of unbelief was indeed profound, I echo the sentiment of Scripture in Hebrews 4:11, “Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.”
Staff Writer; C. E. Davis
This man of God can also be found online over at; InfiniteTruth Devotion.
One may also drop an email: CEDavis@ThyBlackMan.com.
So I need help to understand what appears to be obvious to all of you and that is why did God punish the Israelites prior to them being given the law (10 Commandments)? I understand they were witnesses to His miraculous rescue from Egypt, but how were they to know what behaviors would be considered a sin if they had never been given the law?
Upon leaving Egypt God DID give them what we often call the Mosaic Law. Almost from the start they rebelled and disbelieved..in fact, before Moses came down with the tablets of stone they had already turned away from Him. That generation was not allowed to enter into the promised land.
We humans have very short memories. As time passes on we might forget the blessing God poured on us. We need constant reassurance from God, or we sometimes begin taking these things for granted. Not all the chosen ancient people of God sinned/rebelled against him. As a matter of fact most didn’t. They went on to establish a fresh religion based on the experiences of a large number of people who witnessed God’s power during the Exodus. New religious codes were written and new laws were formed in regard to those events. Not only that, holidays, and special memorial days were incorporated into their calendar.
Due to events that happened prior to the Exodus, we humans are permanently separated from God. When God decides to intervene, he does it out of mercy and pity, not because there’s a flowering steady relationship with us. To alleviate this alienation from God, especially between the times he shows up or the times when he is absent, the Bible was written commemorating his dealings with men. Although we read the Bible chronologically as if these things happened in a series of steps, nothing could be further from the truth. There is a wide gulf of time between each chapter in the Bible.
What God expects from us and which can be called Faith, is that we remember the times that he did intervene on behalf of his followers. Jesus Christ narrowed the Gulf somewhat in that each of us can now contact God through prayer without necessarily having to contact a high priests, or religious person. However, this is still far from the relationship that man had with God in the Garden of Eden.
Terrific article. A warning in these end times. And, for the record, GOD HIMSELF doesn’t understand why the children of Israel rebelled against HIM. Or why so many people now have “fallen away” to the man of lawlessness (the spirit of wickedness) once “he who letteth” (The Holy Spirit Who exercised a measure of restraint even on the wicked [who hated the restraint and longed to have the bridle removed]) was ‘taken out of the way.’ – 2 Thessalonians 2. The Bible says JEHOVAH ‘is too pure in heart to understand evil.’
My Mom years ago said it’s like 2 cakes. One is the good cake: you know, like a triple chocolate buttercream iced, moist layer cake freshly made. The other is rotted, putrefied, stench-ridden. Both are held out to you. Now, which cake would you rather eat? Can you really believe anyone in their right mind would choose the rotted cake? Deliberately, I mean: sometimes the rotted cake is coated with fake “good” icing. But shouldn’t that spell a lesson learned? How many people would knowingly say, “Give me the rotted cake”? But they do. There’s no understanding it, because there’s no understanding it.
Can we judge? No. And that’s a good thing. Paul said we’re not even judges of our own selves in Corinthians. GOD is JUDGE. Pray for the lost and confused? It’s The Second Greatest Commandment. Without which, all the praising GOD and HIS Son in the universe is nothing. – Luke 3:10-14.
Paul also wrote in Romans that when it’s THE FATHER’s time, the veil over Israel’s eyes will be lifted. And concerning GOD’s turning from the Jews to the nations: “For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?” – Romans 11. This prophecy is yet to be fulfilled. If the believers from all nations wonder at Israel’s blatant disobedience and toll the warning not to fall into the same sins, how much more the wonder when the Jews come to realize Jesus is The Messiah?
Mr Davis, I enjoy your articles. I am with you, we as Christians quite often fail to learn by what God has already punished mankind for.
I saw this article this morning and was reminded of a passage in 2 Timothy about the Lasr Days. Especially the verse 3:5 which says [in the NKJV} having a form of godliness, but denying its power. And from such people turn away,
Just preached this same sermon Wednesday night Holy Ghost speak!
I saw this article this morning and was reminded of a passage in 2 Timothy about the Lasr Days. Especially the verse 3:5 which says [in the NKJV} having a form of godliness, but denying its power. And from such people turn away,
We are all creations of a Benevolent Creator, but we are not all His people. We who are Messiah’s, meaning we who obey what the Messiah reported from His Father, are the people of God. The writer of the epistle of the Hebrews recorded, For He [the Messiah] being made perfect became the author of eternal salvation to all who OBEY Him [and by intentional default, His Father]. Faith that does not engender obedience is nothing more than assent, and He does not require our assent to His Being for He Is. We see the multitude of His greatness in our lives and about us but for most of us it does not provoke us to obedience to His revealed Will. No, we adhere to a fear taught by men, obeying man rather submitting ourselves in obedience to God.
This virus of iniquity or open rebellion has found safe haven not only in the world but has nested itself within the so-called houses of worship. For we read His Word, or we read His Word spoken by His Son and then, we find ways to negate the very word of God with our inefficacious philosophical meanderings. We have taught that disobedience is salvation, and obedience is legalism. For the Master, even the Father, said, everything whatsoever He taught His apostles was to be taught to all disciples for all time, and yet who teaches that obedience to the commandments of God is necessary for eternal life (Matthew 19:16-22, et cetera). What does God require of us? This is the whole duty of man: Fear God, and keep His instruction–that is a faith that obeys.
Paul writes Romans…”He gave his life as a ransom for all”. Be thankful.
Thank you for sharing. I believe that all people are the people of God. Ezk. 18:4. I believe as well that all people are aware on some level of the existence, presence, and activity of God in the world. Ro. 1:20. I believe that this was so even at the time that “man” was spirit only – before the time that man was “hewed” (received soul – mortal material presence with which she/he was homogenized). As I view Biblical Theology (the story of God), I note that God’s “covenant” with Abraham and his “seed” including Hebrews, Israelites, and Jews, was not the first. (Gen. 12:3). A covenant was earlier made between Creator and Creation (Noah, his seed, and every living creature) in Gen. 9. I therefore believe that all living things bear the DNA of God and, as Jesus noted, “God is Spirit.” Jn.4:24. In light of all of this, I see the human as a god (small g) who is inseparable (except by death) from his mortal soul (which is no more than spirit slowed down and cooled off). He struggles to enliven (reverse) that which is dying, as it struggles to slow him down and cool him off. The conflict persists until God, the referee, calls time, puts a lifetime of deeds on a scale and decides whether to add His grace to that life thereby making it “eternal” or sending it back to experience another life dubbed the “lake of fire” – the “second death”. Blessings
Thank you for this teaching. It is a good reminder that “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” Philippians 2:12-13
James 1:12
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
So many words, so little actual sense. Such is our need for love and belonging
I think this is evidence that Christians are unwilling to adjust to modern times. His evidence found in the bible is denied by the historical account and the actual evidence found…Speaking of the Israelites being slave in Egypt and the following moments in the desert. So, instead of dealing with the reality that ‘God’ created he holds to the words written by 3rd century religious citizens of Rome.
The type of research that accompanies the denial of historical reality is one that has caused Christians to lose their position in society. Eventually their barriers to life (their claims of good and bad) are caught up in the distant past and often become an unintelligent and logically stale attack against modernity.
Interesting perspective. I believe the opposite to be true. Today to many people believe in modern times. They believe the Bible is outdated and obsolete. This is exactly what the devil wants you to believe.
The Bible is the inspired word of God. Modern research as continued to prove more and more the accuracy of the Bible. It is the most proven writings in existence. As in ancient times (old Testament) people are picking what parts of Gods word they want to follow and you can read the results of those mistakes. We need to follow the word of God as written in the Bible, it is all accurate. The war is still going on between God and the devil. Which side you are on controls your future.
Great Response Dale. I too believe that far too many people believe that “progressiveness” is righteousness. In fact, it is the exact opposite. God’s word is the same yesterday, today and forever, and it WILL NOT change to suit man’s insatiable desire for wickedness.
“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter” Is 5:20
And YAHWEH HIMSELF says: “I do not change.” Change marks instability. Our GOD is The Rock.
This kind of change also is the definition of apostasy. And which is foretold, en masse, in these end times. ‘The falling away will come first” (2 Thessalonians 2) before Christ Jesus’ coming. Any time something good is cast to the wayside, it’s a change, a falling away, an apostasy.
If we “need to follow the word of God as written in the Bible”,
-is Leviticus 15:25-27 to be followed?
-what about Deuteronomy 22:11 and Leviticus 19:19
I wouldn’t want to “pick and choose” and be able to read the results of my mistakes.
It has always astonished me how the children of Israel provoked the Lord God with unbelief while observing such incredible miracles. However, today, we in the American Church, are guilty of the same crass and blatant disbelief in the Scriptures and the promises and miracles they contain. Jesus promised that if we can only believe, all things will be possible to us. Yet, large denominations and seminaries have told us that we cannot do the very things that Jesus said we would; namely, cast out demons, heal the sick, and protection from deadly poison – Mark 16: 17, 18. I have been rebuked for listening to the Holy Spirit by countless pastors and elders in various churches. Have they never read the Gospel of John, chapter 16, verse 13? Jesus emphatically tells us that the Holy Spirit will speak to us and tell us things to come. I think we have the greater sin than Israel did in the wilderness wanderings. We have the entire Scripture, Old and New Covenants, with all that we need to live in victory in this life. Israel, in Sinai, had not one scrap of the Word of God in writing, and yet, we, who have it all do not believe. We are warned about friendship with the world, but to avoid persecution, many churches have capitulated to embracing hideous sins. It is fear that motivates Christian people to do this; but it is not the fear of God. Rather, it is the fear of man. Proverbs 29: 25 clearly states: “The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.”
I concur, but to men and women fear man but no God?
That incredible record with the verbal plenary inspiration of the word of God, is still alive and still calling mankind back to his loving arms. The holy majesty God; has always been faithful There is that bond that will never be severed and yes with all that backbiting and malicious talk God is love.
Nice piece but we are all human and the reason we need a savior. It is shameful but we all get caught in the sin of temptation. If you know someone that hasn’t sinned, please let me know.
I just want to gently remind Mr. Dixon that temptation is not a sin. To yield to the temptation is a sin. So maybe you are not sinning as much as you think you are!
If you resist temptation, chalk up a victory for yourself and God. I can almost hear God say, “Way to go!” Not one of us humans is or was perfect, that is, sinless – except Jesus. That is why He is our Savior – the lone innocent person dying for all us sinful humans! Thank You, God! Thank You, Jesus! To answer your last inquiry, I do not know any person other than Jesus who hasn’t sinned. I did hear that one of our former Presidents of the US, when asked if he had asked God for forgiveness, reportedly responded that he did not need to ask because he had never sinned. If I were he, I would ask forgiveness of God a few times, just in case I had forgotten to confess a sin. And then there is the problem of “sins of omission”. We need to pray like the father of a deaf-and-dumb boy. “Lord, I believe – help my unbelief.”
I would like to add that once you have repented and trusted in Jesus for your salvation that you are forgiven for all your sins; past, present and future. The act of repentance afterward is part of sanctification. You are right, Jesus is sinless, and He died in our place taking the penalty of sin and God’s wrath so that we would not have to and for the purpose of eternal life and to glorify God. Jesus was the perfect lamb and the only perfect sacrifice for sins once for all. Those who place their faith in Jesus will be saved.
Repentance is a change to heart and behavior. That means you no longer live a life of sin. You turned away from that life and live a life as a Christian. Repentance does not cover future sins. If a Christian sins again, they need to ask God to forgive them and Repent.
There’s a difference between being born in sin and making errors, which we all do, and wilfully hardening oneself in disobedience to THE CREATOR.