What Old Testament examples show God's people struggling with hard teachings? The Struggle in John 6:61 “Aware that His disciples were grumbling about this teaching, Jesus asked them, ‘Does this offend you?’ ” (John 6:61) An Age-Old Pattern: Old Testament Parallels • The Lord’s people have often bristled when truth confronts their preferences. The following scenes trace that history of resistance. Israel’s Early Resistance to God’s Voice • Exodus 20:18-19—When the mountain shook, the people pleaded, “You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, or we will die.” • Lesson: Even direct revelation can feel unbearable when hearts are unprepared. Grumbling over Heaven’s Provision • Numbers 11:4-6—“But now our appetite is gone; there is nothing to look at except this manna!” • Psalm 78:18-19 recounts the same spirit: “Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?” • Lesson: God’s gracious gifts can become objects of complaint when fleshly cravings dominate. Rejecting the Path of Faith • Numbers 14:1-4—After the spies’ report, “all the congregation raised their voices” and talked of returning to Egypt. • Hebrews 3:15 echoes the warning: “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” • Lesson: Faith sometimes means embracing instructions that appear impossible. Pushing Back Against God-Appointed Leaders • Numbers 16:3—Korah and his followers: “You have gone too far! The whole congregation is holy.” • Jude 11 looks back: “They have perished in Korah’s rebellion.” • Lesson: Opposition to God’s delegated authority often masquerades as zeal for equality. Preferring Human Solutions • 1 Samuel 8:6-7—Israel demanded a king. The Lord said, “They have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me as their king.” • Lesson: Hard teaching about divine kingship was exchanged for the visible comfort of human rule. The Reluctant Prophet • Jonah 4:1-3—God’s mercy on Nineveh “greatly displeased Jonah, and he became angry.” • Lesson: God’s compassion can offend when it disrupts personal prejudices. Prophets With Unheard Voices • Jeremiah 6:10—“Their ears are closed so they cannot listen.” • Ezekiel 33:31-32—They enjoyed hearing the prophet yet “they do not practice them.” • Lesson: Hard words lose none of their truth simply because listeners refuse to obey. Threading It All Together • From Sinai to Capernaum, the same heart issue appears: divine truth collides with human expectation. • John 6 revisits the wilderness theme—manna then, “the bread of life” now (John 6:48-51). Those who once muttered over manna have spiritual descendants who resist Jesus’ call to eat His flesh and drink His blood. • The remedy remains unchanged: humble trust in the unfailing Word of God (Psalm 119:160; John 6:68). Takeaway for Today’s Disciples • Expect some teachings to stretch comfort zones. • Remember the historical pattern—and choose the opposite response: “Speak, LORD, for Your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:10). |
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