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FROM COMPLAINTS TO APOSTASY. Lesson 5 for the 31 st of October, 2009. REJECTING GOD’S FOOD. What was wrong with manna, that they rejected it?. REJECTING GOD’S FOOD. REJECTING GOD’S FOOD. Although God consented to give them meat, He punished the gluttons because of their rebellion .
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FROMCOMPLAINTSTOAPOSTASY Lesson 5 for the 31st of October, 2009
REJECTINGGOD’SFOOD What was wrong with manna, that they rejected it?
REJECTINGGOD’SFOOD Although God consented to give them meat, He punished the gluttons because of their rebellion. When they rejected God’s healthy food, they rejected God. This experience teaches us that we don’t have to be influenced by those who are not really consecrated to God. Let’s be confident of the food God has given us as the best for our diet.
REJECTINGGOD’SLEADERS When she rebelled against Moses, Mary was rebelling against God who placed Moses as the people’s leader. God hears every complaint against the leaders of His people, even if they are whispered. The leaders of the Church must be humble and lowly people, but also dynamic and brave people, like Moses. Those who rebel against the legally constituted authority, or don’t show due respect to them, are sinning against God.
Let’s trust the divine direction of the church. “Every true disciple of the Teacher must be loyal to those who have authority in the Church, even if it looks like they have failed in their judgement (Titus, 3: 1)” SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 1, on Numbers, 12: 8
RejectingGod’spromises As the people requested, Moses sent 12 spies to reconnoitre Canaan and to prepare a detailed report. After 40 days, the spies returned and brought fruits of the ground. In their report, 10 spies added their doubts, basing in the strength of the cities and the inhabitants, giants. Caleb and Joshua tried to lead the people to trust God’s power to give them that land. The people complained and wanted to appoint a captain to return to Egypt. Besides, they tried to stone Joshua and Caleb.
RejectingGod’spromises THE PENULTIMATE REJECTION: Although God led them to Canaan, the people mistrusted God’s promise (that the land would be as He had said). They requested spies to reconnoitre it THE LAST REJECTION: Although the spies told them that the land was like God described it, they mistrusted God’s power to save them from its inhabitants.
“Our sense of dependence will drive us closer to God, and our sense of duty to be performed will summon us to effort, combined with our earnest prayers--works, faith, and continual prayer. Power! Power! Our great cry is for power without measure! It awaits us. We have only to draw; to take God at His word; to act faith, to stand firmly upon the promises; to wrestle for the endowment of the grace of God. Learning is not essential; genius is not necessary; eloquence may be lacking; butthe prayer of the lowly and contrite heart God hears, and when He hears no obstacles on earth can hinder”. E.G.W. (This day with God, June 27)
Exceedingone’sauthority Every previous rejection was forgiven by God. With this rejection, they exceeded the divine tolerance. • In their obstinacy, they disobeyed again and tried to own that land, thinking that God would help them after all.
Let’s trust God’s forgiveness, but being aware of its limits. We don’t have to take advantage of divine mercy because we don’t know the limit of God’s tolerance. “If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God” Hebrews, 10: 26-27
“If you hear his voice, do not harden your heart!” Hebrews, 3: 7-8