Disobedience

Read: Jonah chapter 1; Numbers 20: 1-13; Psalm 106:33

... for they (Israelites) rebelled against the Spirit of God, and rush words came from Moses lips.

Psalm 106:33

But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, "Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them."

Numbers 20: 12

       Today, I will give two people who disobeyed God. First one is Jonah, The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: "Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it. Because its wickedness  has com into before me." (Jonah 1: 1-2) but Jonah ran away from the Lord and beaded for Tarshish (Span). He wen down to Joppa where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord. (Verses 3) You can see Jonah position is lower and lowest. He went opposite way to Tarshish, Nineveh is another way. Then he went down to Joppa, then down to port, and Jonah had gone below deck where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep (verse 5) and then he was into a big fish stomach for three days and three night. (verse 17)

      Jonah realized he was wrong, he prayed to God for second chance (Jonah 2: 1-9), God answered prayer. And the Lord commanded the fish and it vomited Jonah onto dry land. (verse 10) When we confess our sins (1John 1:9) and repent from our wrongdoings. God will return our position as before as Jonah.

        Who is Moses? God says: "But this is not true of my servant Moses; he is faithful in all my house. (Numbers 12: 7) and 12:3 said, "Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth." Then I (God) speaks with him (Moses), I speak face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the Lord. (12:8). Then in Exodus 33:11 said, "The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend." Oh, my Lord, Moses is very humble, God's friend as face to face clearly talk and he is very faithful for God.

       Why Moses lost obedience and trust God. Because the Israelites pushed Moses temper's limitation. He was so angry with the Israelites, He was also angry with God. He lost his temper and spoke the rush words. God told Moses; "Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its  water." (Numbers 20: 8) Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank. (verse 11)

        Then the Lord punished Moses and Aaron  for they did not trust in God enough to honor God as holy in the sight of the Israelites. then they will not bring this community into the land (milk and honey) God give the Israelites. It was sad for Moses.

        It is good to learn obedience by Moses and Jonah experience, we will not do again. Thank you to the Holy Spirit who reminds us not to do as obedience. Praise the Lord!

Disobedience is a way which is out off God's control situation!

Author: Rev. Rebecca Sun