THROWING TANTRUMS

Image result for google clipart of a tantrumWhen the people heard the judgment against them by God, they "mourned bitterly".  They confessed their sin and DECIDED they would go up to the place that the Lord had promised.  Moses warned them of their defeat and they would be going without Moses, the cloud, or the Ark of the Covenant.  This phrase caught my attention, "Nevertheless, in their presumption they went up.." Numbers 14:44  The word picture for presumption is to swell in the Hebrew language.  Presumption is always arrogance/PRIDE.  In the battle, they were beaten to a pulp by the Amalekites and the Canaanites who lived in the hill country.  I would think with the judgment against them by God and being beaten to a bloody pulp would have spoken volumes to the Israelites. 


I wonder? Am I ever that stubborn/mulish? Human nature probably hasn't changed much from 1277 BC-2017AD.  Chapter 16 picked up with the same insolent attitude prevalent as some leaders raised up against Moses and Aaron.  The Lord again, had to deal with insubordination and arrogance.  He dealt swiftly with the loss of some lives.  The chapter closed with the grumbling of the people, God sent a plague, and 14,700 died from the plague. 

The lessons are myriad: 1.  1 Peter 5:5b: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. 2. God is not obligated to bless our disobedience. 1 Samuel 15:22b "Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord?  To obey is better than sacrifice and to heed is better than the fat of rams." 3. Verbal "I have sinned" or "I am sorry" do not show Godly sorrow or a willingness to turn from (to repent) the sin and go the opposite direction.  2 Corinthians 7: 10: "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death."  I am sure there are more lessons, but these three are enough for me to be willing to HEAR ( Hear in the Old Testament ALWAYS carried with it obedience) what the Holy Spirit of God is speaking to me and to have my eyes alert while reading the Word of God.  Forever learning and leaning! #IHAVETHREESONS
 


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