DCLM DAILY MANNA - Rebellion Does Not Pay

Wednesday November 23, 2016

Rebellion Does Not Pay

-NUMBERS 14:40-45

Key Verse:

"But they presumed to go up unto the hill top: nevertheless the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and Moses, departed not out of the camp. Then the Amalekites came down, and the Canaanites which dwelt in that hill, and smote them, and discomfited them, even unto Hormah" (Numbers 14:44,45).

Animal Farm is a famous novel by George Orwell. In this novel, all the animals in the farm begin to follow the precepts of animalism, rebel against the humans, take over the farm, and rename the place "Animal Farm". Here is a quote from the work that captured the reason for their rebellion: "Man is the only creature that consumes without producing. He does not give milk, he does not lay eggs, he is too weak to pull the plough, he cannot run fast enough to catch rabbits. Yet, he is lord of all the animals. He sets them to work, he gives back to them the bare minimum that will prevent them from starving, and the rest he keeps for himself" - George Orwell, Animal Farm. Just like George Orwell's story of rebellion, the Israelites staged a rebellion of their own. After spying the Promised Land for 40 days, they got a 40-year punishment for unbelief and rebellion against the Lord and against Moses. Only Joshua and Caleb of that generation entered the land because of their faith. To add to their existing problems, they again presumed to enter the land in defiance of God's order to pull back. Consequently, the Amalekites and Canaanites easily defeated them. That is exactly what happens with unbelievers. They end up consumed with their own welfare. They have no vision or sense of God's presence. The entire focus of their lives is on their problems, troubles, illnesses. And their days are filled with confusion, strife and envy. For thirty-eight years, Moses watched as every Israelite in the unbelieving generation died. He looked back at those who wasted their lives in the wilderness and saw that everything God had warned about had happened. The lesson for us today is very clear: unbelief and rebellion bring setbacks and punishment from God.

Thought for the day: Rebellion easily begets God's judgment.

Bible Reading in one Year: EZEKIEL 43 - 44