Topical Encyclopedia The concept of rebellion is a recurring theme in the Bible, often associated with the character of the wicked. Rebellion, in a biblical context, is the act of resisting or defying authority, particularly the authority of God. This trait is frequently highlighted as a defining characteristic of those who are considered wicked or unrighteous.Old Testament Insights In the Old Testament, rebellion is often depicted as a direct affront to God’s commandments and His chosen leaders. The Israelites, despite being God’s chosen people, frequently exhibited rebellious behavior. In the wilderness, they repeatedly resisted Moses’ leadership and God’s instructions. Numbers 14:9 warns, "Only do not rebel against the LORD, and do not be afraid of the people of the land, for they will be our bread. Their protection has been removed from them, and the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them!" The prophet Samuel equates rebellion with serious sin, stating in 1 Samuel 15:23 , "For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king." This comparison underscores the gravity of rebellion in God’s eyes, equating it with practices that are explicitly condemned. Prophetic Warnings The prophets frequently addressed the rebellious nature of the people. Isaiah 30:1 declares, "Woe to the obstinate children, declares the LORD, to those who carry out plans that are not Mine, forming an alliance, but not by My Spirit, heaping sin upon sin." Here, rebellion is linked with obstinacy and the pursuit of plans contrary to God’s will. Ezekiel also speaks extensively about rebellion, particularly in relation to the house of Israel. Ezekiel 2:3 states, "Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against Me. They and their fathers have transgressed against Me to this day." This passage highlights the generational nature of rebellion, suggesting a deep-rooted defiance against divine authority. New Testament Perspective In the New Testament, rebellion continues to be a marker of the wicked. Jesus Himself encounters and rebukes rebellious attitudes, particularly among the religious leaders of His time. In Matthew 23:37 , Jesus laments, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!" The apostle Paul also addresses rebellion in his epistles. In Romans 1:30 , he describes the wicked as "slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful; they invent new forms of evil; they disobey their parents." Rebellion is thus seen as part of a broader spectrum of sinful behavior that characterizes those who reject God. Theological Implications Rebellion against God is not merely a matter of disobedience but is indicative of a deeper spiritual condition. It reflects a heart that is hardened and resistant to divine authority. The rebellious are often portrayed as those who choose their own path over God’s, leading to spiritual and sometimes physical ruin. The Bible consistently warns of the consequences of rebellion, emphasizing that it leads to separation from God and His blessings. The rebellious nature of the wicked is a cautionary theme, urging believers to remain faithful and obedient to God’s will. Nave's Topical Index Isaiah 1:2Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD has spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me. Nave's Topical Index Isaiah 30:9 Library Evidences of Regeneration. The Seventh Chapter of the Epistle to the Romans. A Preservative against Unsettled Notions, and Want of Principles ... Ezekiel xiii. 22 Moses' Prayer to be Blotted Out of God's Book. Answer to the Jewish Rabby's Letter. Still Continues the Praise of "Wisdom. ... Friendship; Or, David and Jonathan In the Creation of the World, and all Things in It, the True God ... Felicitous Phrases Resources What does the Bible say about Christian character? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the character of God? | GotQuestions.org How does bad company corrupt good character (1 Corinthians 15:33)? | GotQuestions.org Character: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Character of Saints: Attentive to Christ's Voice Character of Saints: Blameless and Harmless Character of Saints: Fearing God Character of Saints: Following Christ Character of Saints: Guileless Character of Saints: Hungering After Righteousness Character of Saints: Hungering for Righteousness Character of Saints: Led by the Spirit Character of Saints: Loathing Themselves Character of Saints: New Creatures Character of Saints: Poor in Spirit Character of Saints: Pure in Heart Character of Saints: Righteous Character of Saints: Steadfast Character of Saints: Taught by God Character of Saints: Taught of God Character of Saints: Undefiled Character of Saints: Zealous of Good Works Character of the Wicked: Abominable Character of the Wicked: Alienated from God Character of the Wicked: Blasphemous Character of the Wicked: Blinded Character of the Wicked: Boastful Character of the Wicked: Conspiring Against God's People Character of the Wicked: Conspiring Against Saints Character of the Wicked: Corrupt Character of the Wicked: Covetous Character of the Wicked: Deceitful Character of the Wicked: Delighting in the Iniquity of Others Character of the Wicked: Despising Saints Character of the Wicked: Despising the Works of the Faithful Character of the Wicked: Destructive Character of the Wicked: Disobedient Character of the Wicked: Enticing to Evil Character of the Wicked: Envious Character of the Wicked: Evildoers Character of the Wicked: Fearful Character of the Wicked: Fierce Character of the Wicked: Foolish Character of the Wicked: Forgetting God Character of the Wicked: Fraudulent Character of the Wicked: Froward Character of the Wicked: Glorying in Their Shame Character of the Wicked: Hard-Hearted Character of the Wicked: Hating the Light Character of the Wicked: Heady and High-Minded Character of the Wicked: Hostile to God Character of the Wicked: Hypocritical Character of the Wicked: Ignorant of God Character of the Wicked: Impudent Character of the Wicked: Incontinent Character of the Wicked: Infidel Character of the Wicked: Loathsome Character of the Wicked: Lovers of Pleasure More than of God Character of the Wicked: Lovers of Pleasure, not of God Character of the Wicked: Lying Character of the Wicked: Mischievous Character of the Wicked: Murderous Character of the Wicked: Persecuting Character of the Wicked: Perverse Character of the Wicked: Prayerless Character of the Wicked: Proud Character of the Wicked: Rebellious Character of the Wicked: Rejoicing in the Affliction of Saints Character of the Wicked: Reprobate Character of the Wicked: Selfish Character of the Wicked: Sensual Character of the Wicked: Sold Under Sin Character of the Wicked: Stiff-Hearted Character of the Wicked: Stiff-Necked Character of the Wicked: Uncircumcised in Heart Character of the Wicked: Unclean Character of the Wicked: Ungodly Character of the Wicked: Unholy Character of the Wicked: Unjust Character of the Wicked: Unmerciful Character of the Wicked: Unprofitable Character of the Wicked: Unruly Character of the Wicked: Unthankful Character of the Wicked: Untoward Character of the Wicked: Unwise Character: Defamation of, Punished Character: Firmness: Joseph in Resisting Potiphar's Wife Character: Instability: Israelites Character: Instability: Pharaoh Character: Instability: Reuben Character: Instability: Solomon Character: Revealed in Countenance Physiognomy: (External Aspect)): Character Revealed In Related Terms |
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