The neglect of God's instructions is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, highlighting the consequences of disobedience and the importance of adhering to divine commandments. This neglect often leads to spiritual, moral, and societal decay, as well as divine judgment.

Old Testament Instances

1. Adam and Eve (Genesis 3): The first instance of neglecting God's instructions is found in the Garden of Eden. God commanded Adam and Eve not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. However, they disobeyed, leading to the fall of humanity. Genesis 3:17 states, "To Adam He said, 'Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat, cursed is the ground because of you; through toil you will eat of it all the days of your life.'"

2. Israel's Rebellion (Exodus 32): While Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the Law, the Israelites grew impatient and created a golden calf to worship. This act of idolatry was a direct violation of God's commandment against idol worship. Exodus 32:8 records God's response: "They have quickly turned aside from the way I commanded them. They have made for themselves a molten calf, have bowed down to it, sacrificed to it, and said, 'These, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.'"

3. King Saul (1 Samuel 15): King Saul's failure to completely destroy the Amalekites as instructed by God through the prophet Samuel is another example. Saul spared King Agag and the best of the livestock, disobeying God's explicit command. 1 Samuel 15:22-23 highlights the consequence: "But Samuel declared: 'Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king.'"

New Testament Teachings

1. Jesus' Teachings (Matthew 7:24-27): Jesus emphasized the importance of not only hearing but also acting on God's words. In the parable of the wise and foolish builders, He illustrates the stability of a life built on obedience to His teachings. Matthew 7:26-27 warns, "But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its collapse."

2. The Rich Young Ruler (Mark 10:17-22): The encounter between Jesus and the rich young ruler demonstrates the challenge of fully committing to God's instructions. The young man claimed to have kept all the commandments but was unwilling to part with his wealth to follow Jesus. Mark 10:21-22 recounts, "Jesus looked at him, loved him, and said, 'You lack one thing: Go, sell everything you own and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.' But the man was saddened by these words and went away in sorrow, because he had great wealth."

3. The Church in Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22): The message to the church in Laodicea serves as a warning against spiritual complacency and neglect of God's instructions. The church is described as lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, and is admonished to repent. Revelation 3:19 states, "Those I love, I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be earnest and repent."

Consequences and Warnings

The Bible consistently warns of the consequences of neglecting God's instructions. Disobedience leads to separation from God, loss of blessings, and ultimately, judgment. The call to obedience is not merely about following rules but about cultivating a relationship with God, characterized by trust, love, and reverence. The Scriptures urge believers to heed God's instructions diligently, as seen in Deuteronomy 28:1 : "Now if you faithfully obey the voice of the LORD your God and are careful to follow all His commandments I am giving you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth."