What other biblical instances show consequences of not following God's instructions? A Sobering Moment beside the Ark (1 Chronicles 13:9–10) “When they came to the threshing floor of Kidon, Uzzah reached out his hand to steady the ark, because the oxen had stumbled. Then the anger of the LORD burned against Uzzah, and He struck him down for this error; and he died there before God.” God had clearly commanded that only Levites carry the ark on poles (Numbers 4:15; Deuteronomy 10:8). Even a well-intentioned touch outside those boundaries brought instant judgment. Echoes from Eden: Adam and Eve (Genesis 2–3) • Command: “but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil” (Genesis 2:17) • Disobedience: Both ate the forbidden fruit (3:6). • Consequence: Spiritual death, expulsion from Eden, cursed ground, pain, and physical death entering the human story (3:16–19,23). Strange Fire: Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10:1–3) • Command: Priests were to burn incense only with coals from the altar of burnt offering (Exodus 30:7–9). • Disobedience: “They offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, contrary to His command.” • Consequence: “Fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them” (Leviticus 10:2). Aaron was warned to treat God as holy. The Rock Struck Twice: Moses (Numbers 20:7–12) • Command: “Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will pour out its water.” • Disobedience: Moses struck the rock twice in anger. • Consequence: “Because you did not trust Me … you will not bring this assembly into the land” (v. 12). Left Outside the Promised Land: Israel’s Unbelief (Numbers 14) • Command: Enter and possess Canaan (Deuteronomy 1:21). • Disobedience: Israel believed the spies’ fearful report, grumbled, and refused to go in. • Consequence: A whole generation wandered and died in the wilderness; only Joshua and Caleb entered the land (Numbers 14:29–30). Saul’s Impatience and Partial Obedience (1 Samuel 13 & 15) • 1 Samuel 13: Sacrifice was Samuel’s role; Saul offered it himself. – Result: “Your kingdom will not endure” (v. 14). • 1 Samuel 15: Saul spared King Agag and the best livestock. – Samuel: “To obey is better than sacrifice … rebellion is like the sin of divination” (vv. 22–23). – Result: Kingship torn from Saul and given to David. Achan’s Hidden Theft (Joshua 7) • Command: Jericho’s plunder was devoted to the LORD (6:17–19). • Disobedience: Achan hid gold, silver, and a cloak. • Consequence: Israel’s defeat at Ai; Achan and his family executed; stolen items burned (7:24–26). Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1–11) • Context: Believers freely gave offerings; honesty was assumed (Acts 4:32–35). • Disobedience: Lied about sale price, pretending full generosity. • Consequence: Both fell dead at Peter’s rebuke; “great fear seized the whole church” (v. 11). Threads That Tie These Accounts Together • God’s instructions are precise, not suggestions. • Good intentions cannot excuse disobedience (Uzzah). • Leadership is held to higher accountability (Moses, Saul, Nadab and Abihu). • Hidden sin eventually surfaces and affects others (Achan, Ananias & Sapphira). • Reverence for God’s holiness safeguards life and blessing; irreverence invites loss and judgment. |
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