Topical Bible: Disobedience to God: Israel

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Disobedience to God is a recurring theme in the history of Israel as depicted in the Bible. This disobedience often led to severe consequences, including divine judgment, exile, and suffering. The narrative of Israel's disobedience serves as a cautionary tale and a theological reflection on the covenant relationship between God and His chosen people.

The Wilderness Generation

The disobedience of Israel is first prominently displayed during the wilderness wanderings after the Exodus from Egypt. Despite witnessing God's miraculous deliverance and provision, the Israelites frequently rebelled against Him. In Numbers 14:11, the LORD expresses His frustration: "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?" This generation's lack of faith and repeated disobedience resulted in their exclusion from entering the Promised Land (Numbers 14:22-23).

The Period of the Judges

The Book of Judges chronicles a cyclical pattern of disobedience, 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 period is marked by Israel's repeated failure to remain faithful to God, leading to their subjugation by surrounding nations until God raised up judges to deliver them.

The Monarchy

During the monarchy, Israel's disobedience continued, often led by their kings. King Saul's failure to fully obey God's commands resulted in his rejection as king (1 Samuel 15:22-23). King Solomon, despite his wisdom, turned away from God by marrying foreign wives and worshiping their gods, leading to the division of the kingdom (1 Kings 11:9-11).

The Divided Kingdom

The northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah both experienced periods of disobedience. The northern kingdom, under the leadership of kings like Jeroboam, established idolatrous practices that persisted until its destruction by Assyria in 722 BC (2 Kings 17:7-18). The southern kingdom of Judah, despite moments of reform under kings like Hezekiah and Josiah, ultimately fell into idolatry and was exiled to Babylon in 586 BC (2 Kings 24:20).

Prophetic Warnings

Throughout Israel's history, prophets were sent by God to call the people back to obedience. Prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Hosea warned of the consequences of disobedience and urged repentance. Isaiah 1:2-4 captures the heart of the prophetic message: "Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth, for the LORD has spoken: 'I have raised children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against Me. The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master's manger, but Israel does not know; My people do not understand.'"

Theological Implications

Israel's disobedience is not merely a historical account but serves as a theological reflection on the nature of sin, the holiness of God, and the need for a faithful covenant relationship. The narrative underscores the importance of obedience to God's commandments and the consequences of turning away from Him. It also highlights God's patience and willingness to forgive, as He continually calls His people back to Himself through repentance and faith.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Kings 18:9-12
And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Hezekiah, which was the seventh year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Shalmaneser king of Assyria came up against Samaria, and besieged it.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

A Summary of Israel's Faithlessness and God's Patience
... then, how God's benefits aggravate our disobedience, and how ... No man dare answer when
God asks, 'What hast ... Israel was in some respects conquered by Canaanites ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/a summary of israels faithlessness.htm

The Reign of Saul.
... The campaign against the Philistines in which David kills Goliath, the giant that
was defying Israel, and won ... All because of his disobedience to God (I:Chron ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter x the reign of.htm

David's Charge to Solomon
... When Israel's kings remembered that, they flourished; when they forgot it, they
destroyed their kingdom ... Reluctant obedience is disobedience in God's sight. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/davids charge to solomon.htm

The Covenant of an Everlasting Priesthood
... where he, in his zeal for God, executed judgment on disobedience to God's command. ...
of Aaron, hath turned away My wrath from the children of Israel, in that ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/murray/the two covenants/chapter xv the covenant of.htm

The Entrance to the Life of Full Obedience
... In Jeremiah, the prophet who more than any other speaks of the disobedience of God's
people, God says,. Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the Lord; for I ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/murray/the school of obedience/v the entrance to the.htm

The Blessing of God on Filial Piety.
... Jonadab was dead "if his descendants disregarded his injunctions, he might have
no power to punish their disobedience; but the God of Israel lived"was ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxiii the blessing of.htm

Obedient Disobedience
... with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered ... powers that be are ordained
of God,' and obedience ... which can only be rendered by disobedience to Him ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/obedient disobedience.htm

Fundamental Oneness of the Dispensations.
... We are the circumcision, we the true Israel of God. ... That we may be God's house, we
must lay fast ... the threatenings of the Old Testament for disobedience to God ...
/.../chapter iii fundamental oneness of.htm

In what Sense Christ is [Called] Jacob, and Israel, and Son of Man ...
... apostles that He is the Son of God, and since ... Stone, and a Rod, and Jacob, and Israel);
and that ... by the Virgin, in order that the disobedience which proceeded ...
/.../chapter c in what sense christ.htm

Of the Disruption of the Kingdom of Israel, by which the Perpetual ...
... Again Saul sinned through disobedience, and again Samuel says ... to battle against the
people of God, and the ... they were confused, and fell before Israel and were ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 7 of the disruption of.htm