Topical Bible: Unbelief: Exhibited in Departing from God

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Unbelief, in the context of departing from God, is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, illustrating the spiritual peril and consequences of turning away from faith in God. This departure is often characterized by a lack of trust in God's promises, disobedience to His commands, and a reliance on human understanding rather than divine wisdom.

Old Testament Examples

1. Israel in the Wilderness: One of the most prominent examples of unbelief is the Israelites' journey in the wilderness. Despite witnessing God's miraculous deliverance from Egypt, the Israelites frequently doubted His provision and protection. In Numbers 14:11 , the Lord said to Moses, "How long will this people treat Me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in Me, despite all the signs I have performed among them?" Their unbelief led to a generation being barred from entering the Promised Land (Numbers 14:22-23).

2. King Saul: Saul, the first king of Israel, exhibited unbelief by failing to fully obey God's commands. In 1 Samuel 15:22-23 , Samuel rebukes Saul, saying, "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams. 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."

3. The Northern Kingdom of Israel: The history of the Northern Kingdom is marked by a series of kings who led the people into idolatry and away from God. Hosea 4:1 declares, "Hear the word of the LORD, O children of Israel, for the LORD has a case against the inhabitants of the land: 'There is no truth, no loving devotion, and no knowledge of God in the land.'"

New Testament Insights

1. The Pharisees and Religious Leaders: In the New Testament, the religious leaders of Jesus' time often displayed unbelief by rejecting Him as the Messiah. Despite witnessing His miracles and hearing His teachings, they hardened their hearts. In John 12:37-38 , it is written, "Although Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still did not believe in Him. This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet: 'Lord, who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?'"

2. The Disciples' Struggles: Even Jesus' own disciples struggled with unbelief at times. After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to the eleven and rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen (Mark 16:14).

3. Warnings to Believers: The New Testament also contains warnings to believers about the dangers of unbelief. Hebrews 3:12 cautions, "See to it, brothers, that none of you has a wicked heart of unbelief that turns away from the living God." This exhortation serves as a reminder of the Israelites' failure in the wilderness and encourages believers to remain steadfast in faith.

Consequences of Unbelief

Unbelief, as exhibited in departing from God, results in spiritual separation and loss of divine favor. It leads to a hardened heart, making it difficult to return to a state of faith and obedience. The Bible consistently warns that unbelief can prevent individuals from experiencing the fullness of God's promises and blessings.

Encouragement to Faithfulness

Despite the grave consequences of unbelief, Scripture also offers hope and encouragement. Believers are urged to cultivate a heart of faith, trust in God's promises, and remain obedient to His word. In Hebrews 11:6 , it is affirmed, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." This call to faithfulness serves as a guiding principle for those seeking to avoid the pitfalls of unbelief.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hebrews 3:12
Take heed, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Miracles no Remedy for Unbelief.
... a common nature with us, surely that insensibility which they exhibited on the ... as
there was among the Jews) "an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon vi miracles no remedy.htm

The Scripture Way of Salvation
... of God; a kind of spiritual light exhibited to the ... or idolatry; and above all, to
unbelief; whereby, in a ... a thousand pretenses, we are ever departing, more or ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 43 the scripture way.htm

The Ordination of Paul and Barnabas; their Missionary Tour in Asia ...
... Departing from Cyprus, Paul and Barnabas now set sail for Asia Minor, where ... and it
was not until the Jews had exhibited a spirit of unbelief, that they ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter v the ordination of.htm

The Leafless Tree
... has had times of sad apostacy, when an evil heart of unbelief and departing from
the ... Christ in this land, and what a sad spectacle it would have exhibited! ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/the leafless tree.htm

The Mysteries of the Brazen Serpent
... this very hour there are thousands departing into the ... them laughed in the jollity
of unbelief"absurd, ridiculous ... cloth, do not let it be exhibited." "No," say ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/the mysteries of the brazen.htm

Ezekiel
... by their shallow optimism, the unbelief of the ... and sorrowful, and the angel departing
with glowing ... and history has only too faithfully exhibited that inherent ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/ezekiel.htm

Translated from the Greek.
... themselves, and of the things which are exhibited in them ... as to seem to furnish ground
for unbelief with respect to ... worthy of God, or, by not departing from the ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/translated from the greek.htm

The Augsburg Confession, 1530.
... of faith in opposition to the unbelief and misbelief ... system); while on the other
hand (departing further from ... with bread and wine are truly exhibited the body ...
/.../ 41 the augsburg confession.htm

All Joy in all Trials
... of patience, too, when we can wait without unbelief. ... friends notice that the roughness
is departing, and they ... woman, or she would not have exhibited so much ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 29 1883/all joy in all trials.htm

Psalm LXXIV.
... thing to be acknowledged which succeeded this departing? ... casting down their rods
they exhibited serpents: but ... even the Apostle Paul through unbelief had been ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxiv.htm