Monday, 5 April 2021

Rebellion - and new life!

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Question of the day: How does God deal with rebellion?

Answer: God hates rebellion. 1 Samuel 15:23a "For rebellion is like the sin of divination." Numbers 16 and 17 provide a pretty good description that answers our question of the day. Dathan and Abiram were trouble makers, resisting the authority of Moses and Aaron. Their names were deceptive. Dathan may mean "fountain," or it may be a combination of David (beloved) and Nathan (gift). Abiram means "exalted father." Both of these men had pride issues that were not repented of, though they had many opportunities. And the earth swallowed them up.

Moving on to chapter 17, we get a lesson on "life from the dead." Aaron's rod had no root and no water, it was a long dead walking stick, yet overnight it budded flowers and produced almonds. Numbers 17:8 "The next day, Moses entered the Tent of Testimony and behold, Aaron's staff, from the house of Levi, had sprouted, blossomed, and produced almonds!" This was such a great miracle, it lasted for centuries inside the Ark of the Covenant as a witness.

Likewise, Yeshua, died on the cross, but rose from the dead in new life on the third day. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 "For I also passed on to you first of all what I also received - that Messiah died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures."

From Yeshua's resurrection, all of His followers are given new life. 2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore if anyone is in Messiah, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." This will lead to Israel's revival. Romans 11:26a "and in this way all Israel will be saved." And from Israel's revival, to worldwide revival. Romans 11:15 "For if their rejection leads to the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?"

God deals with rebellion by overcoming it with new life. We were all in rebellion at some time. Ephesians 2:1-2 "You were dead in your trespasses and sins. At that time, you walked in the way of this world, in conformity to the ruler of the domain of the air - the ruler of the spirit who is now operating in the sons of disobedience."

But now ... Ephesians 2:4-6 "God was rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us. Even when we were dead in our trespasses, He made us alive together with Messiah. (By grace you have been saved!) And He raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Messiah Yeshua."