Rebellion against God is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, often characterized by the willful disobedience and rejection of His divine commandments. This rebellion is not merely an act of defiance but a profound spiritual departure from the covenant relationship God desires with His people. Despising God's law is a significant manifestation of this rebellion, reflecting a heart that is hardened against His will and purposes.

Old Testament Instances

1. Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:1-6): The first act of rebellion against God is recorded in the Garden of Eden, where Adam and Eve disobeyed God's explicit command not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This act of defiance introduced sin into the world, illustrating the grave consequences of despising God's law.

2. Israel's Rebellion in the Wilderness (Numbers 14:1-4): The Israelites, having been delivered from Egypt, repeatedly rebelled against God during their wilderness journey. Despite witnessing His miraculous works, they despised His commands and longed to return to Egypt, demonstrating a lack of faith and trust in God's promises.

3. King Saul (1 Samuel 15:22-23): Saul's disobedience in sparing King Agag and the best of the Amalekite livestock, contrary to God's command, is a poignant example of rebellion. The prophet Samuel rebuked Saul, stating, "For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry" (1 Samuel 15:23).

4. Judah's Idolatry (Jeremiah 16:10-12): The people of Judah repeatedly turned to idolatry, forsaking God's law. Jeremiah records God's lament over their rebellion: "You have done more evil than your fathers... each one of you follows the stubbornness of his evil heart instead of obeying Me" (Jeremiah 16:12).

New Testament Insights

1. The Pharisees and Religious Leaders (Matthew 23:23-28): Jesus condemned the religious leaders of His day for their hypocrisy and legalism. Though they outwardly adhered to the law, their hearts were far from God, illustrating a deeper rebellion against His true intentions.

2. The Rejection of Christ (John 1:10-11): The ultimate act of rebellion is seen in the rejection of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. "He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. He came to His own, but His own did not receive Him" (John 1:10-11).

3. The Apostasy of the Last Days (2 Thessalonians 2:3): The New Testament warns of a future rebellion, a falling away from the faith, which will precede the return of Christ. This apostasy is characterized by a widespread rejection of God's truth and law.

Theological Reflections

Rebellion against God, as exhibited in despising His law, is fundamentally a matter of the heart. It reflects a refusal to submit to God's authority and a desire to assert one's own will over His. This rebellion is not only a personal affront to God but also disrupts the communal harmony He intends for His people. The Bible consistently calls for repentance and a return to obedience, emphasizing that true freedom and blessing are found in aligning one's life with God's righteous standards.

Consequences and Warnings

The Bible is replete with warnings about the consequences of rebellion. In Deuteronomy 28, God outlines the blessings for obedience and the curses for disobedience, underscoring the seriousness of despising His law. The history of Israel serves as a sobering reminder of the judgment that follows persistent rebellion, yet it also highlights God's enduring mercy and willingness to forgive those who turn back to Him.

Call to Obedience

Throughout Scripture, God calls His people to a life of obedience and faithfulness. In Micah 6:8, the prophet succinctly summarizes what God requires: "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" . This call to obedience is not burdensome but is intended to lead to a life of blessing and fulfillment in accordance with God's perfect will.Nehemiah 9:26
Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against you, and cast your law behind their backs, and slew your prophets which testified against them to turn them to you, and they worked great provocations.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Of the True Church. Duty of Cultivating Unity with Her, as the ...
... What crime is more heinous than rebellion? ... and all their transgressions wherein they
have transgressed against thee" (1 ... Nor in vain in the Law did God ordain a ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 1 of the true.htm

The Epistle of Judas
... all created,' and also, From before God went forth ... also apt words of protest against
secular religion ... for what it brings them, and perish in Korah's rebellion. ...
/.../moffat/the general epistles james peter and judas/the epistle of judas.htm

Of Passages from the Holy Scriptures, and from the Apocrypha ...
... the Council, was there condemned of contumacy, rebellion, and schism. ... and "for a
sign to be spoken against" (Luke 2 ... life unto life, and the power of God for the ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/of passages from the holy.htm

Justification by an Imputed Righteousness;
... from the curse, in the sight of God, while sinners ... 'Father, I have sinned against
heaven, and ... body, and soul.2. He added to this his rebellion, great contempt ...
/.../justification by an imputed righteousness.htm

Of Faith. The Definition of It. Its Peculiar Properties.
... from heaven, they obstinately persist in their rebellion. ... Believers, indeed, ought
to recognize God as the ... like-minded, who inveigh against this restriction ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 2 of faith the.htm

The Royal Marriage Feast.
... adopted on the largest scale after the first rebellion, when the ... side to take a decisive
part for or against the Lord ... of the world and the law of God were such ...
/.../arnot/the parables of our lord/xii the royal marriage feast.htm

Period iii. The Dissolution of the Imperial State Church and the ...
... who was bishop of Mopsuestia, and his impious writings ... capitula of the holy Cyril,
and against the first ... to Maris the Persian, which denies that God the Word ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period iii the dissolution of.htm

Mr. Bunyan's Last Sermon:
... of his friend, and he again bid him God-speed ... the picture of a very grave person
hang up against the wall ... is to show thee that slighting and despising the things ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/mr bunyans last sermon .htm

The Water of Life;
... or else thou must be damned for thy rebellion and for thy ... in authority; better speak
against twenty than against one that ... of a lion,' what is the wrath of God? ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the water of life.htm

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Rebellion: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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