Rebellion against God is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, illustrating the consequences of turning away from divine commandments and the resulting spiritual and often material impoverishment. This entry explores the nature of rebellion, its manifestations, and the biblical accounts of those who have suffered due to their defiance against God.

Nature of Rebellion

Rebellion against God is fundamentally an act of disobedience and defiance against His will and commandments. It is rooted in pride, self-will, and a desire for autonomy apart from divine authority. The Bible consistently portrays rebellion as a grave sin that leads to separation from God and His blessings.

Manifestations of Rebellion

Rebellion can manifest in various forms, including idolatry, moral corruption, and the rejection of God's appointed leaders. It often begins with a hardened heart and a refusal to listen to God's voice, as seen in the Israelites' repeated disobedience during their wilderness journey.

Biblical Accounts of Rebellion

1. Adam and Eve (Genesis 3): The first act of rebellion against God occurred in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve disobeyed God's command not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This act of defiance resulted in spiritual death and the loss of their perfect communion with God, leading to a life of toil and hardship.

2. The Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9): Humanity's attempt to build a tower to reach the heavens was an act of collective rebellion against God's command to fill the earth. Their prideful ambition led to confusion and the scattering of people across the earth, illustrating the futility of opposing God's will.

3. Korah's Rebellion (Numbers 16): Korah, along with Dathan and Abiram, led a rebellion against Moses and Aaron, challenging their God-given authority. This act of defiance resulted in the earth opening up and swallowing the rebels, serving as a stark warning against opposing God's chosen leaders.

4. King Saul (1 Samuel 15): Saul's partial obedience in sparing King Agag and the best of the Amalekite livestock, contrary to God's explicit command, was deemed rebellion. Samuel rebuked Saul, saying, "For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry" (1 Samuel 15:23). Saul's kingdom was ultimately taken from him due to his disobedience.

5. Israel's Idolatry (2 Kings 17:7-23): The northern kingdom of Israel fell into idolatry and rejected God's statutes, leading to their exile by the Assyrians. Their rebellion impoverished them spiritually and physically, as they were removed from the land God had given them.

Consequences of Rebellion

The Bible consistently warns that rebellion against God leads to dire consequences, including spiritual impoverishment, loss of divine favor, and often material hardship. Proverbs 17:11 states, "An evil man seeks only rebellion; a cruel messenger will be sent against him." This highlights the inevitable judgment that follows defiance against God.

Call to Repentance

Despite the severity of rebellion, the Bible also offers hope for restoration through repentance. God, in His mercy, calls the rebellious to return to Him, promising forgiveness and healing. Isaiah 1:18 invites, "Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool."

In summary, rebellion against God is a serious offense with profound consequences. The biblical narrative provides numerous examples of individuals and nations who suffered due to their defiance, serving as a cautionary tale for all who would turn away from God's righteous path.Psalm 68:6
God sets the solitary in families: he brings out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Against "The Roaring Lions"
... less true that they were in rebellion against her representatives ... would not that
the servants of God should be ... Surely, we are not against depriving the guilty ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/iv against the roaring lions.htm

Appendix iv. An Abstract of Jewish History from the Reign of ...
... Berachjah saith: Yah heribh [Jehoiarib], God contended with ... they revolted and rebelled
against Him' (Jer ... the opprobrious designation of rebellion, and Sarbaney ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix iv an abstract of.htm

Chapter xxxi
... here contemplated appear too much like rebellion to allow ... way of contrast (we
adversative) that God had definitely ... Jacob's part to guard him against the harm ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxi.htm

Justinian.
... invoked before the emperor the judgment of God, saying there ... to leave Italy and fight
no more against the emperor ... bearing, no doubt, in mind that they were, at ...
/.../allies/the formation of christendom volume vi/chapter iv justinian.htm

Disestablishment
... to the Union, a foe to rebellion; with mild ... a vote of 15,101, gave a majority against
ratification of ... the very foundations were shaken, when God interposed and ...
/.../chapter xv disestablishment.htm

A More Particular Account of the Way by which this Salvation is to ...
... rebel should give up the weapons of his rebellion and bow ... is most fit I should yield
myself to God as alive ... feel a law in my members that wars against the law ...
/.../the rise and progress of religion in the soul/chapter ix a more particular.htm

Knox and Queen Mary (Continued), 1561-1564
... of Discipline," was not to go and preach against that person ... and the country with
the wrath of God on her ... as to drive Huntly into open rebellion, neither Mary ...
/.../lang/john knox and the reformation/chapter xv knox and queen.htm

Chaldaean Civilization
... as the single figure of a god or goddess ... Oppert has upheld this interpretation against
Haupt, and still ... in cases of reiterated disobedience, rebellion, or flight ...
/.../chapter iiichaldaean civilization.htm

The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
... Athens had been guilty during the rebellion remained unpunished ... whom he confounded
with his god Mithra; finally ... vainly endeavoured to hold their own against them ...
/.../chapter iithe last days of 2.htm

the Legendary History of Egypt
... the vigilance of Isis had kept him from rebellion during the ... I have not turned back
the god at his coming forth ... There is no crime against me in this land of the ...
/.../chapter iii -the legendary history of.htm

Who was Judas Maccabeus? | GotQuestions.org

Was the American Revolution a violation of Romans 13:1-7? | GotQuestions.org

Why is obedience better than sacrifice? | GotQuestions.org

Rebellion: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus