Obedience is Imperative
"But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, ‘Because you did not trust me to demonstrate my holiness in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this assembly into the land I have given them.’"
—Numbers 20:12 (CSB)
I started listening to the podcast @jasiriouslyspeaking on YouTube, where she was teaching from the book of Numbers. We were covering Numbers 24, and her teaching was so good that I wanted to go back and read a few chapters to prepare for the following day’s lesson. (By the way, if you want to read the Bible and receive great insight, I highly recommend this podcast.) I started with Numbers 20, and you know how Yeshua is—He will speak to you right in the middle of your reading. It’s like you open the door by reading His word, and He says, "Come on in, let me teach you about Me." I love it!
While reading, I came to the part where Moses and Aaron were punished for their disobedience. God had hand-selected Moses and Aaron to lead His people. He appointed Aaron as the high priest over the temple and worship. Yet when they disobeyed God, His discipline was severe—even unto death.
Because of their disobedience, God told them they would not enter the Promised Land. Scripture says,
"Take Aaron and his son Eleazar and bring them up Mount Hor. Remove Aaron’s garments and put them on his son Eleazar. Aaron will be gathered to his people and die there.”—Numbers 20:25-26 (CSB) "So Moses did as the Lord commanded, and they climbed Mount Hor in the sight of the whole community. After Moses removed Aaron’s garments and put them on Eleazar, Aaron died there on top of the mountain. Then Moses and Eleazar came down from the mountain. When the whole community saw that Aaron had passed away, the entire house of Israel mourned for him for thirty days." --Numbers 20:27-30, CSB).
Aaron was replaced by his son Eleazar, and Moses was eventually replaced by Joshua. It doesn’t matter how we feel about God’s decisions—His message is clear: disobedience will cost you. It doesn’t matter who you are or what position God has placed you in—if you don’t obey Him, Scripture says, "For the Lord disciplines the one He loves... "—Hebrews 12:6 (CSB) Scripture also says, "Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?"
—Luke 6:46 (CSB)
Those who love God follow His word and keep His commandments. He says, "If you love Me, you will obey My commands." We cannot live life on our own terms and expect God to be okay with it. Just as a parent expects their child to follow instructions, God expects us to obey Him. He is our Father.
Let’s Pray:
Father, we know that You are kind and gracious, and that we receive new mercies and grace every day. We also know that You discipline those You love. We surrender ourselves to You and seek forgiveness for the times we have failed to follow Your instructions. Thank You for the examples of Moses and Aaron, reminding us to stay obedient to You.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Key Takeaways:
God expects us to obey Him.
"If you love Me, you will keep My commandments."
In God’s kingdom, disobedience is not an option.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19; Isaiah 55:11
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