Obedience vs. Rebellion
This morning, I was reading Jeremiah 42, where the people begged Jeremiah to talk to God on their behalf and then relay to them what God desired them to do. Jeremiah was hesitant but the people assured him that, whatever God told them to do, they would obey. Jeremiah knew their hearts but, because of their persistence, he did what they asked.
When He returned to give the message to the people, God’s desire was simply that they stay in the land they were currently dwelling in and God would protect them from their enemies. However, if they left, they would surely die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence. So, what did the people do? Let’s look at the next chapter.
“Now it happened, when Jeremiah had stopped speaking to all the people all the words of the LORD their God, for which the LORD their God had sent him to them, all these words, that Azariah the son of Hoshaiah, Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the proud men spoke, saying to Jeremiah, “You speak falsely! The LORD our God has not sent you to say, ‘Do not go to Egypt to dwell there.’ But Baruch the son of Neriah has set you against us, to deliver us into the hand of the Chaldeans, that they may put us to death or carry us away captive to Babylon.” So Johanan the son of Kareah, all the captains of the forces, and all the people would not obey the voice of the LORD, to remain in the land of Judah.” (vs. 1-4)
You would think that, if they believed in Jeremiah to beg him to intercede for them, they would listen to his words but, no, they believed they knew better. They left Judah, and the things which Jeremiah prophesied came true.
I sometimes wonder why it’s so hard to obey simple instructions. For myself, I tend to think that if I knew God was speaking, I would follow; I just have to know it’s Him. The verses this morning was a reminder that the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. Without God, we are rebels, free thinkers who want to do our own thing. However, rebellion leads to death. I pray that God will help me to hear His voice and to be quick to obey it. I can’t afford to re-think Him. If I want His blessings on my life (and I do), that is my option. Is that your desire as well? Are there things you know God has spoken yet you refuse to obey? If so, I beg you to repent right now and surrender to His will. You won’t know peace until you do and you have a lot to risk if you don’t.
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