Chapter 25
Results of Disobedience
What has man's redemption from sin cost?
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16. (See also Heb. 5:7-9.)
How great was this love?
"For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Rom. 5:7, 8 (Jer. 31:3).
In return, what does God require of us?
"And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind." Luke 10:27. (Deut. 6:5).
What is the love of God?
"For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments." 1 John 5:3.
Does the Lord compel obedience?
"And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." Rev. 22:17 (Joshua 24:15).
Why does He ask obedience?
"O that thou hadst hearkened to My commandments! then had thy peace been as a river and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea." Isa. 48:18. (Isa. 1:19, 20) (John 15:10).
What did God forbid those to do who assisted in removing the sanctuary from place to place?
"And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die." Num. 4:15.
When David designed to remove the ark of the covenant from Gibeah to Jerusalem, how did he propose to do it?
"And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it our of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah; and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drove the new cart." 2 Sam. 6:3.
NOTE: This was the first wrong step in the matter. God had specified that the ark should always be borne on the shoulders of men. Num. 7:9; 1 Chron. 15:15. "Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil." -- Eccl. 8:11.
What was one of these men next emboldened to do?
"And when they came to Nachon's threshing floor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it." 2 Sam 6:6.
How did the Lord regard this act?
"And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God." 2 Sam. 6:7.
NOTE: There can be no question but what Uzzah had the best of intentions in attempting to steady the ark. But if they had been carrying the ark by the poles thrust through the rings in its side, as they were commanded, the occasion for laying his hand on the sacred chest would not have occurred. This shows how even well-intentioned efforts may be misdirected when one persists in taking his own course in the service of God; and also how God regards such efforts. It is extremely unsafe to deviate in the least particular from the plainly marked path of God's commandments.
What did Samuel say Saul had done in disobeying a plain command given him?
"And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord hath rejected thee from being king over Israel." 1 Sam. 15:26.
NOTE: We should even think of this, when tempted to disobey one of the Lord's requirements.
When the angels had put Lot and his family out of the doomed city of Sodom, what admonition did they give them?
"Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed." Gen.19:17.
NOTE: This was a simple, and seemingly unimportant order; yet how weighty to those refugees from the devoted city!
When Lot's wife looked back, what became of her?
"But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt." Gen. 19:26.
In referring to this, what warning does our Saviour give to all?
"Remember Lot's wife." Luke 17:32.
When evidently citing these cases, what solemn question does the apostle ask?
"For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward, how shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?" Heb. 2:2, 3.
What does He say in another place of those who persist in willful sins?
"For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins." Heb. 10:26.
How does the Saviour regard the worship of those who allow a tradition to take the place of one of God's commandments?
"But in vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." Matt. 15:9.
NOTE: With these plain words of Christ before them, there are some who will break the fourth commandment, and instead, rest on the first day, for which they have only a man-made commandment. True, some have died, conscientiously observing the first day, supposing it to be the Sabbath. God does not hold such responsible, simply because they did it in their ignorance. Probably they would have rejoiced to change their course had light come to them. It will not be so however, with those who have been enlightened with reference to their duty, and still disobey God. Let all take heed to their ways; for there is only one safe side to every moral question.
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