Titke: Rebellion Does Not Pay
Text: NUMBERS 14:40-45
Lesson
Animal Farm is a famous novel by George Orwell. In this novel, all the animals in the farm begin to follow the precepts of animalism, rebel against the humans, take over the farm, and rename the place "Animal Farm".
Here is a quote from the work that captured the reason for their rebellion: "Man is the only creature that consumes without producing. He does not give milk, he does not lay eggs, he is too weak to pull the plough, he cannot run fast enough to catch rabbits.Yet, he is lord of all the animals. He sets them to work, he gives back to them the bare minimum that will prevent them from starving, and the rest he keeps for himself" - George Orwell, Animal Farm.
Just like George Orwell's story of rebellion, the Israelites staged a rebellion of their own. After spying the Promised Land for 40 days, they got a 40-year punishment for unbelief and rebellion against the Lord and against Moses. Only Joshua and Caleb of that generation entered the land because of their faith. To add to their existing problems, they again presumed to enter the land in defiance of God's order to pull back. Consequently, the Amalekites and Canaanites easily defeated them.
That is exactly what happens with unbelievers. They end up consumed with their own welfare. They have no vision or sense of God's presence. The entire focus of their lives is on their problems, troubles, illnesses. And their days are filled with confusion, strife and envy.
For thirty-eight years, Moses watched as every Israelite in the unbelieving generation died. He looked back at those who wasted their lives in the wilderness and saw that everything God had warned about had happened. The lesson for us today is very clear: unbelief and rebellion bring setbacks and punishment from God.
Thought for the day: Rebellion easily begets God's judgment.
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