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Posts tagged "disobedience"

And it happens again

Old Testament Reflection

You really wonder sometimes when you read through Scriptures, don’t you. I mean, why has God been so patient with us over the centuries when over and over again we disobey and thumb our noses at him. Chapter 7 of Joshua begins with a tragically familiar phrase, “But the Israelites acted unfaithfully . . .” It was a simple task they had been given. After the city was taken through a miracle of God, they were to put the treasures of the city into the ‘Lord’s House.’ It was symbolically a way of reflecting their understanding that God had been with them.

Read More honesty, faithlessness, disobedience

Death or Blessing?

Old Testament Reflection

How can priests be dishonest and refuse to obey the Lord? It’s a total oxymoron! Priests were God’s representatives to the people. They had been chosen by God for this position. There were very strict rules of behaviour and duties. Yet Eli’s sons brazenly disobey and disrespect God in public. Even the people who were offering sacrifices knew the “rules” of sacrifice and offering to the Lord (v 16).

Eli’s sons showed no respect for the sacrifices the people offered.

Read More service, disobedience

Thumbing the Nose at God

Old Testament Reflection

The Lord had specially chosen Levites to be priests, his representatives to the people. It was a holy calling and responsibility. Yet even though Eli is aware of the disgusting, disrespectful, sinful things his sons are doing in their priestly role, he doesn’t stop them. They are thumbing their nose at God and Eli stands on the sidelines.

Disobedience, disrespect – these are widespread attitudes in today’s world.

Read More consequences, disobedience, disrespect

A Disastrous Decline

Our focus today goes back to the Northern Kingdom and its capital, Samaria. Imagine Hosea did evil in the eyes of the LORD, but not like the kings who preceded him (v. 2). In effect, he would be the last ruler of Israel (v. 5-6). What Moses had foreseen in Deuteronomy 27-30 was going to happen.

Read More consequences, disobedience

Listen To Me!

Read Reflect When one of my grandchildren is being disciplined, the parent often says, “(Name of child) … LISTEN TO ME!” When the parent says, “Listen to me!” it’s more than a hearing exercise. They expect the child to stop what they’re doing, make eye contact, give them their undivided attention, apologize, and clean up […]

Read More listening, warning, disobedience, punishment

The Challenge to Listen and Obey

Read Reflect It is never easy to face the consequences of a bad choice, particularly when we have been warned ahead of time. Such is the case with the people of Judah to whom Jeremiah gives God’s message here. Jeremiah reminds them of God’s warning in the Sinai covenant/agreement made shortly after the exodus of […]

Read More consequences, disobedience, God chose us

“Build Houses, Plant Gardens and Have Children in Babylon”

Read Reflect The Middle East, it seems, has been a battleground for centuries. At the end of the seventh century B.C. three empires were vying for power: Egypt, Assyria and Babylonia. Israel stood seemingly helpless in the middle of it all. In 609 Israel’s king Josiah was killed at Megiddo as he attempted to prevent […]

Read More obedience, restoration, disobedience, prophets

Confessing to a Merciful God

As the congregational prayer continues, the people turn from declaring who God is and what he has done (vv 5-15), to acknowledging that their ancestors had stubbornly disobeyed God. Two contrasting behaviors are highlighted: the people’s disobedience, and God’s mercy and loving patience.

Read More God’s faithfulness, God’s love, responsibility, confession, disobedience


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