Topic: Halfway Obedience Forbidden [January 2, 2017]
Text: Numbers 14:40-45
Key Verse: “Then the Amalekites came down, and the Canaanites which dwelt in that hill, and smote them, and discomfited them, even unto Hormah” (Numbers 14:45).
A man returned home to find out that his children had flouted his instruction that they should not go out after sunset. He was so pained that he had to mete out some disciplinary measures that included some strokes of the cane. He refused to accept their plea that they had spent less than an hour from home, in a bid to please their friends. The man loved these children but he had to punish them to warn them of the danger inherent in disobedience. Not applying the rod would have meant tacitly approving of their action to please their friends while dishonouring their father.
In the same vein, God has a far higher correctional standard. He would not condone sin for whatever reason. Having seen the children of Israel through their 40-years journey in the desert as they headed for the Promised Land, the Almighty spoke of their incessant flouting of His laws which warranted the threat to inflict death upon the nation as punishment (Numbers 14:22,23). Only Aaron, Joshua, Caleb and Moses who passionately pleaded for mercy were to be spared. The rejection of the positive report of Caleb and Joshua about the Promised Land was tantamount to a renunciation of God Himself. The sentence? God disallowed those who were not on the side of Joshua and Caleb access to the land flowing with milk and honey.
A loving God or earthly parent would not be playing the right role if they do not insist on a full obedience to their instructions. Where there is a breach, the Lord would remember His own principles: “As many as I love I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent” (Revelation 3:19).
Thought for the day: Full obedience to God keeps away His rod.
Bible Reading in one Year: Matthew 4-5
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
