Topical Bible: Disobedience to God: The Prophet

Bible > Topical > Disobedience to God

◄ Disobedience to God: The Prophet ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Disobedience to God is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, and the prophets, as God's chosen messengers, were not exempt from this struggle. The role of a prophet was to convey God's messages to His people, often calling them to repentance and obedience. However, there are instances where prophets themselves faltered in their obedience to God, serving as cautionary tales for believers.

Jonah

One of the most notable examples of a prophet's disobedience is Jonah. God commanded Jonah to go to Nineveh and preach against its wickedness (Jonah 1:1-2). Instead of obeying, Jonah attempted to flee from the presence of the Lord by boarding a ship to Tarshish (Jonah 1:3). His disobedience led to a series of divine interventions, including a great storm and being swallowed by a great fish (Jonah 1:4, 17). Jonah's account highlights the futility of trying to escape God's will and the mercy of God in giving second chances, as Jonah eventually fulfilled his mission after repenting (Jonah 3:1-3).

Moses

Moses, one of the greatest prophets in Israel's history, also experienced a moment of disobedience. In Numbers 20, God instructed Moses to speak to the rock to bring forth water for the Israelites (Numbers 20:8). However, Moses struck the rock twice with his staff instead of speaking to it, as God had commanded (Numbers 20:11). This act of disobedience, stemming from frustration and anger, resulted in God forbidding Moses from entering the Promised Land (Numbers 20:12). Moses' disobedience serves as a reminder of the importance of following God's instructions precisely and the consequences of failing to do so.

Balaam

Balaam, though not a prophet of Israel, was a seer who received messages from God. His account, found in Numbers 22-24, illustrates the dangers of disobedience driven by personal gain. Initially, God instructed Balaam not to go with Balak's messengers to curse Israel (Numbers 22:12). However, enticed by the promise of reward, Balaam sought God's permission again and was allowed to go, but only to speak what God commanded (Numbers 22:20). Balaam's journey was marked by divine opposition, including the famous incident with the talking donkey (Numbers 22:21-35). Balaam's eventual compliance with God's command to bless Israel instead of cursing them (Numbers 23:11-12) underscores the conflict between human desires and divine will.

Elijah

Elijah, a prophet known for his zealous service to God, also faced moments of fear and doubt that led to disobedience. After his victory over the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, Elijah fled into the wilderness, fearing for his life after Jezebel threatened him (1 Kings 19:1-3). In his despair, Elijah requested to die, feeling alone and abandoned (1 Kings 19:4). God's response was not one of rebuke but of gentle correction and provision, sending an angel to care for him and eventually speaking to him in a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19:5-12). Elijah's experience highlights God's patience and care for His servants, even when they falter.

Conclusion

The accounts of these prophets demonstrate that disobedience to God can arise from various motivations, including fear, anger, and personal ambition. Despite their failings, God's interactions with these prophets reveal His desire for repentance and restoration. These narratives serve as powerful reminders of the importance of obedience to God's commands and the grace available to those who turn back to Him.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Kings 13:20-23
And it came to pass, as they sat at the table, that the word of the LORD came to the prophet that brought him back:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Blessing of God on Filial Piety.
... The prophet then proceeded to remind them of the warnings which had ... injunctions,
he might have no power to punish their disobedience; but the God of Israel ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxiii the blessing of.htm

The Reign of Saul.
... All because of his disobedience to God (I:Chron.10:1.1-14 ... 7) God's anointed will ...
responsibility to which he was called I:Sam.9:19-10-8. (3) The prophet bands or ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter x the reign of.htm

Of the Death of the Prophet who was Led Astray, and of the ...
... in the case of that prophet and man of God in the third book of Kings, who was
straightway destroyed by a lion for a single fault of disobedience, in which he ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xxvi of the death.htm

The Entrance to the Life of Full Obedience
... It is easy to see that this must be the first step. In Jeremiah, the prophet who
more than any other speaks of the disobedience of God's people, God says,. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/murray/the school of obedience/v the entrance to the.htm

Saul Rejected
... Partial obedience is complete disobedience. ... them; that is to say, they did not obey
God at all ... He owed his kingdom to the prophet; and the very condition on ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/saul rejected.htm

Fundamental Oneness of the Dispensations.
... of the Old Testament for disobedience to God ... of prophet after prophet, until the
prophet's face turns ... God's promise was never fulfilled to Israel, because of ...
/.../chapter iii fundamental oneness of.htm

God's Curse on Sin.
... be understood as expressing in the prophet's language what ... he says""Be not deceived;
God is not ... Hebrews""If every transgression and disobedience received a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/percival/sermons at rugby/xiv gods curse on sin.htm

General Service to John, Precursor, Prophet and Baptist of the ...
... than all born didst thou appear, O prophet; with thy ... deliver me so much sinning against
God, from the ... Whereas Eve by her failing of disobedience hath brought ...
/.../anonymous/the general menaion/chapter v general service to.htm

A Dialogue with God
... again calls out from the Prophet's lips a ... It is no arbitrary appointment of God's
that 'he ... and hereafter, 'Every transgression and disobedience shall receive ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/a dialogue with god 2.htm

Obedient Disobedience
... which can only be rendered by disobedience to Him ... and fancies of our own for the
injunctions of God. ... The word, concealed in the prophet's heart, burned there ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/obedient disobedience.htm