The theme of rebellion against God is a recurring narrative throughout the history of the Israelites as depicted in the Bible. This rebellion is characterized by disobedience, idolatry, and a turning away from the covenant established between God and His chosen people. The Israelites' rebellion serves as a cautionary tale of the consequences of straying from divine commandments and the enduring mercy of God.

The Wilderness Rebellion

One of the earliest and most significant instances of rebellion occurred during the Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. Despite witnessing God's miraculous deliverance from slavery and His provision in the wilderness, the Israelites frequently complained and doubted God's promises. In Numbers 14:2-4 , the people grumbled against Moses and Aaron, saying, "If only we had died in the land of Egypt, or if only we had died in this wilderness! Why is the LORD bringing us into this land to fall by the sword?" This rebellion led to God's judgment, resulting in a 40-year period of wandering in the desert, during which the entire generation of rebels perished (Numbers 14:29-35).

The Golden Calf Incident

Another pivotal moment of rebellion occurred at Mount Sinai. While Moses was receiving the Law from God, the Israelites grew impatient and demanded Aaron make them a god to lead them. Aaron complied, fashioning a golden calf, which the people worshiped, declaring, "These, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!" (Exodus 32:4). This act of idolatry provoked God's wrath, and Moses interceded on behalf of the people to avert their destruction (Exodus 32:11-14).

The Period of the Judges

The era of the Judges is marked by a cyclical pattern of rebellion, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. Judges 2:11-12 states, "And the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals. They forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of Egypt." This repeated turning away from God led to periods of subjugation by surrounding nations until the Israelites cried out for deliverance, and God raised judges to rescue them.

The Monarchy and Prophetic Warnings

The establishment of the monarchy did not quell the Israelites' rebellious tendencies. King Saul's disobedience, King Solomon's idolatry, and the subsequent division of the kingdom into Israel and Judah are notable examples. The northern kingdom of Israel, in particular, was characterized by persistent idolatry and rebellion against God, leading to its eventual conquest by Assyria (2 Kings 17:7-23).

Prophets such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel were sent by God to call the people back to faithfulness. Despite these warnings, the southern kingdom of Judah also fell into rebellion, resulting in the Babylonian exile as a divine judgment for their sins (Jeremiah 25:8-11).

Post-Exilic Rebellion

Even after the return from exile, the Israelites struggled with rebellion. The books of Ezra and Nehemiah recount efforts to restore the covenant and rebuild Jerusalem, yet the people continued to grapple with issues such as intermarriage with foreign nations and neglect of the Law (Nehemiah 13:23-27).

Throughout these narratives, the Israelites' rebellion against God underscores the human propensity to stray from divine commandments. Yet, it also highlights God's enduring patience and willingness to forgive those who repent and return to Him.Deuteronomy 9:23,24
Likewise when the LORD sent you from Kadeshbarnea, saying, Go up and possess the land which I have given you; then you rebelled against the commandment of the LORD your God, and you believed him not, nor listened to his voice.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

That the Judgment of God and Men as to Human Acts of violence, is ...
... the Egyptians were in open rebellion against God, for they used the gold, God's
creature, in the ... deserved the punishment, and the Israelites were suitably ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/chapter ix that the judgment of.htm

God's Controversy with Man. Rev. Charles Prest.
... The Israelites were fed in the desert by miracle, and rebelled against God ... a position
to bring the nation out of any state of rebellion against God, to lead it ...
/.../king/the wesleyan methodist pulpit in malvern/gods controversy with man rev.htm

"In the Spirit and Power of Elias"
... Before entering the Promised Land, the Israelites were admonished by Moses to "keep
the Sabbath day to ... Behold the world today in open rebellion against God. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 14 in the spirit.htm

Elucidations.
... upon the Pinnacle) than for the Israelites at Massah. ... The ambition of the Clergy
is always rebellion against God, and "patient waiting" is its only remedy. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/of patience/elucidations.htm

Korah, Dathan, and Abiram
... But there are cases in which rebellion must be punished ... God had given them a
law"a constitution, as we ... If they once began to rebel and mutiny against that law ...
/.../kingsley/the gospel of the pentateuch/sermon xiii korah dathan and.htm

A Path in the Sea
... learn how close together lie daring rebellion against God and abject ... longer, if once
a thought that God sees us ... We must suppose the Israelites all safe on the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/a path in the sea.htm

Sovereignty of God in Administration
... the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and against His Christ ... us
(Psa.2:1-3). But is the great God perturbed or disturbed by the rebellion of his ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter three sovereignty of god.htm

The End of Self-Will
... and the rout begun before the Israelites reached Gilboa ... He who rebels against God
mars his own character ... by his own indulged and swollen rebellion and unsleeping ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the end of self-will.htm

Balak's Inquiries Relative to the Service of God, and Balaam's ...
... that all the saints will eventually be found, to be "Israelites indeed in ... end of
those things was death," eternal death, for he died in rebellion against God. ...
/.../sermon xviii balaks inquiries relative.htm

Inconsideration Deplored. Rev. Joshua Priestley.
... we have often wished we could, an act of rebellion against our parents ... of the
declaration as it regards Almighty God, we come ... The charge against the Israelites ...
/.../inconsideration deplored rev joshua priestley.htm

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Rebellion: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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