What other Biblical examples show the cost of disobedience to God's instructions? Setting the Scene: Numbers 20:12 “But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, ‘Because you did not trust in Me to show My holiness in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this assembly into the land I have given them.’” Moses and Aaron forfeited the joy of entering Canaan by striking the rock instead of speaking to it. Scripture consistently shows that disregarding God’s clear word always carries a price. Early Foundations of Costly Disobedience • Adam and Eve – Genesis 3:17: “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and ate from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat, cursed is the ground because of you…” – Consequence: Paradise lost, death introduced, toil and pain multiplied. • Cain – Genesis 4:12: “When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its produce to you. You will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.” – Consequence: Restless exile after ignoring God’s warning about sin. • Generation of Noah – Genesis 6–7 – Consequence: Worldwide flood; only obedient Noah’s family preserved. • Tower of Babel – Genesis 11:8: “So the LORD scattered them from there over the face of all the earth…” – Consequence: Confusion of languages and forced dispersion. Worship Without Reverence • Nadab and Abihu – Leviticus 10:2: “So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died in the presence of the LORD.” – Consequence: Instant death for offering “unauthorized fire.” • Uzzah – 2 Samuel 6:7: “And the anger of the LORD burned against Uzzah, and God struck him down there for his irreverence; he died there beside the ark of God.” – Consequence: Death for touching the ark contrary to God’s command. Hidden Sin Exposed • Achan – Joshua 7:25: “Joshua said, ‘Why have you brought this trouble upon us? The LORD will bring trouble on you today.’ Then all Israel stoned Achan…” – Consequence: Personal execution and defeat for Israel until sin was judged. • Ananias and Sapphira – Acts 5:5, 10 – Consequence: Sudden death for lying to the Holy Spirit and the church. Leaders Held to Higher Accountability • King Saul – 1 Samuel 15:23: “Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king.” – Consequence: Kingdom torn away for incomplete obedience. • King David – 2 Samuel 12:10: “Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house…” – Consequence: Family turmoil and national upheaval after adultery and murder. • Jeroboam – 1 Kings 14:16: “And He will give Israel up because of the sins Jeroboam has committed and has caused Israel to commit.” – Consequence: Dynasty wiped out for institutionalizing idolatry. Runaway Prophet • Jonah – Jonah 1:17: “Now the LORD had appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah…” – Consequence: Three days in the fish, near death, until repentance and obedience. Lessons That Echo Numbers 20 • God’s instructions are never negotiable; partial or altered obedience is disobedience. • Greater revelation brings greater accountability—leaders especially feel the weight. • Consequences vary (loss of privilege, death, national judgment) but always prove God’s holiness. • Mercy often follows repentance (David, Jonah), yet fallout may linger—reminding us that sin forgiven can still carry earthly cost. The thread running from Eden to Ananias underscores the same truth Moses learned at Meribah: honoring God’s word is the path of blessing; ignoring it is tragically expensive. |
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