What does the phrase "if they do not believe you" reveal about human nature? The Setting “Then Moses replied, ‘What if they do not believe me or listen to my voice? For they may say, “The LORD has not appeared to you.” ’ ” (Exodus 4:1) Human Nature Exposed • Skeptical by default • Oriented toward visible proof rather than unseen truth (2 Corinthians 5:7) • Fearful of deception because sin has fractured trust (Genesis 3:1–6) • Reluctant to submit to authority outside personal experience • Prone to groupthink—if “they” doubt, individuals feel safer doubting too Biblical Echoes of the Same Skepticism • Israel at Kadesh: “Why has the LORD brought us to this land?” (Numbers 14:2–3) • Gideon’s fleece requests (Judges 6:36–40) • Thomas: “Unless I see… I will never believe.” (John 20:25) • Crowd demanding signs from Jesus (Matthew 12:38) Root Causes • Fallen heart: “There is no one who seeks God.” (Romans 3:11) • Deceitfulness of sin hardens minds (Hebrews 3:12–13) • Spiritual blindness imposed by the enemy (2 Corinthians 4:4) God’s Patient Response • Supplies confirming evidence—staff to serpent, hand to leprosy, water to blood (Exodus 4:2–9) • Invites honest inquiry: “Come now, let us reason together.” (Isaiah 1:18) • Yet sets a boundary: ongoing unbelief forfeits blessing (Hebrews 3:18–19) What the Phrase Teaches Us Today 1. Expect doubt to arise—in others and in ourselves. 2. Provide truth and testimony, but realize only God can open hearts (John 6:44). 3. Keep obeying even when reception is uncertain; God validates His messengers in His time. 4. Guard your own heart against the drift of unbelief; cultivate faith through the Word (Romans 10:17). 5. Remember that signs may persuade, but trust ultimately rests on God’s character (Psalm 9:10). Closing Insight The simple words “if they do not believe you” pull back the curtain on humanity’s innate resistance to divine revelation. Our challenge is not merely convincing others; it is confronting the universal condition that prefers sight over faith and self-reliance over surrender. God addresses that condition with patience, truth, and grace—calling every generation to move from doubt to trust. |
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