What other biblical examples show consequences of disobedience to God? The Principle in 1 Samuel 12:15 “If you do not obey the LORD, but rebel against the LORD’s command, then the hand of the LORD will be against you, as it was against your fathers.” Samuel reminds the nation that obedience brings blessing, while disobedience invites God’s active opposition. Scripture repeats this theme from Genesis to Revelation. Early Warning in Eden • Genesis 2:16-17; 3:17-19 – Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit; death entered, the ground was cursed, and they were expelled from Eden. • Consequence: broken fellowship with God, physical mortality, and toil. Cain Ignored Correction • Genesis 4:6-12 – God warned Cain, “Sin is crouching at the door.” Cain murdered Abel anyway. • Consequence: he became “a fugitive and a wanderer,” estranged from God’s presence. The Flood Generation • Genesis 6:5-7 – “Every inclination of the thoughts of their hearts was altogether evil.” • Consequence: worldwide judgment by flood, sparing only Noah’s obedient family (Genesis 7:23). Nadab and Abihu: Strange Fire • Leviticus 10:1-3 – They offered unauthorized fire before the LORD. • Consequence: “Fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them.” Israel’s Wilderness Rebellion • Numbers 14:22-23, 32-33 – Refusal to enter Canaan after the spies’ report. • Consequence: that generation died in the desert; only Caleb and Joshua entered the land. • Numbers 20:7-12 – Moses struck the rock; he too was barred from Canaan. Achan: Hidden Sin Exposed • Joshua 7:1-26 – Achan kept banned spoils from Jericho. • Consequence: Israel’s defeat at Ai and Achan’s death. Saul: A Kingdom Torn Away • 1 Samuel 13:13-14 – Unlawful sacrifice. • 1 Samuel 15:22-28 – Sparing Amalekite king and livestock. • Consequence: “The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you.” David: Discipline for a King • 2 Samuel 12:9-14 – Adultery and murder. • Consequence: the child died; “the sword will never depart from your house,” yet God preserved David’s life after repentance. Uzzah: Presumption with the Ark • 2 Samuel 6:6-7 – Touched the ark to steady it. • Consequence: instant death; David learned to transport the ark as God commanded (1 Chronicles 15:13). King Uzziah: Pride Before a Fall • 2 Chronicles 26:16-21 – Entered the temple to burn incense. • Consequence: leprosy until death. Jonah: Running from God • Jonah 1:1-17 – Fled to Tarshish. • Consequence: storm, “great fish,” and humiliation; after obedience, Nineveh repented. Ananias and Sapphira: Deceit in the Church • Acts 5:1-11 – Lied to the Holy Spirit about offering proceeds. • Consequence: immediate death; “great fear seized the whole church.” New-Covenant Warning • Hebrews 3:16-19 – Cites the wilderness generation as proof that unbelief bars entry into God’s rest. • Galatians 6:7 – “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows, he will reap.” Summary Pattern • God clearly states His commands. • Disobedience, whether private or public, brings loss—of life, blessing, fellowship, or privilege. • Repentance can restore relationship (David, Jonah) but often cannot erase temporal consequences. • Each episode confirms Samuel’s warning: resisting God places us under His hand of discipline, while obedience secures His favor (Deuteronomy 28:1-2). |
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