Rebellion Against God: Religious Instruction Designed to Prevent
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Introduction

Rebellion against God is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, illustrating humanity's tendency to resist divine authority and pursue self-will. This rebellion is often depicted as a departure from God's commandments and a rejection of His sovereignty. Religious instruction, as outlined in Scripture, serves as a preventive measure against such rebellion, guiding believers towards obedience and faithfulness.

Biblical Examples of Rebellion

The Bible provides numerous examples of rebellion against God, beginning with the fall of Lucifer (Isaiah 14:12-15) and the disobedience of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1-6). The Israelites' repeated defiance during their wilderness journey (Exodus 32:1-6; Numbers 14:1-4) and the rebellion of Korah (Numbers 16:1-35) further illustrate this theme. These narratives highlight the consequences of turning away from God's commands and the resulting divine judgment.

Religious Instruction as a Preventive Measure

1. Teaching the Law: The Law given to Moses served as a foundational element of religious instruction for the Israelites. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (BSB) emphasizes the importance of teaching God's commandments: "These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." This passage underscores the necessity of embedding God's laws in daily life to prevent rebellion.

2. Wisdom Literature: The wisdom literature of the Bible, including Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, offers guidance on living a life aligned with God's will. Proverbs 3:5-6 (BSB) advises, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." Such teachings encourage reliance on divine wisdom rather than human understanding, steering believers away from rebellion.

3. Prophetic Warnings: The prophets played a crucial role in calling God's people back to obedience. Through their messages, they warned of the dangers of rebellion and the blessings of repentance. Isaiah 1:18-20 (BSB) invites, "Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best of the land. But if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword." Prophetic instruction served as both a warning and an invitation to return to God.

4. The Role of Jesus Christ: In the New Testament, Jesus Christ embodies the ultimate revelation of God's will and the path to reconciliation. His teachings, as recorded in the Gospels, emphasize love, obedience, and the kingdom of God. John 14:15 (BSB) states, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." Christ's life and message provide a model for preventing rebellion through a relationship with God grounded in love and obedience.

5. Apostolic Teaching: The apostles continued the work of instructing believers in the early church, emphasizing the importance of faithfulness and adherence to the teachings of Christ. Paul, in his letters, frequently warns against turning away from the truth. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (BSB), he writes, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work." Apostolic teaching serves as a guide to prevent rebellion by equipping believers with sound doctrine.

Conclusion

Religious instruction, as presented in the Bible, is designed to prevent rebellion against God by instilling His commandments, wisdom, and teachings in the hearts of believers. Through the Law, wisdom literature, prophetic warnings, the teachings of Jesus Christ, and apostolic guidance, Scripture provides a comprehensive framework for living a life of obedience and faithfulness to God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Psalm 78:5,8
For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Reprobation.
... than compensate for the evil of their rebellion and destruction ... but O man, who art
thou that repliest against God? ... block, than the fact of God's omniscience can ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/finney/systematic theology/lecture xliv reprobation.htm

Instruction for the Ignorant:
... any special name?"A. Yes; they are called rebellion, and are ... are like to do this
part of God's worship acceptably ... A. Yes; he whose heart is set against sin as ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/instruction for the ignorant .htm

Appeal to the Christian Women of the South
... of a slave; but they may give testimony against a fellow ... It has been justly remarked
that "God never made a slave ... Who ever heard of a rebellion of the beasts of ...
/.../an appeal to the christian women of the south/appeal to the christian women.htm

False Comforts for Sinners.
... And the object of your instruction should be the same ... as if his feeling was religious
feeling, when ... of some hymn, to excuse themselves in rebellion against God. ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture xvii false comforts for.htm

Sanctification.
... If a man break off from rebellion against God, will it ... be able intelligently to say
is: "God knoweth I ... hands, and are you more secure against spiritual pride ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/finney/systematic theology/lecture xl sanctification.htm

A Treatise of the Fear of God;
... that they should not in religious duties show ... certainly perish in their own rebellion;
for this ... grudging, discontent, and heart-risings against God under the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a treatise of the fear.htm

The Fear which Terminates in the Second Death.
... the evils are past." But the house divided against itself, is a ... and the inferior
members rise in rebellion and refuse ... concern to know and serve God, and become ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xx the fear which.htm

A Mystery! Saints Sorrowing and Jesus Glad!
... of eternity to those who were silly enough to be religious, but for ... am guilty of
the folly of letting him lead me into rebellion against God. O church of God! ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/a mystery saints sorrowing and.htm

How to Preach the Gospel.
... He has no excuse for not knowing the religious views of ... not submitting to God, are
an act of rebellion against him ... go and lay it to sovereignty in God, that you ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture xii how to preach.htm

Scriptures Showing the Sin and Danger of Joining with Wicked and ...
... shall be sent against him." Evil men seek only rebellion, and delight in ... Therefore
we would pray against the one, and for the other, that God would smite ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/section v scriptures showing the.htm

Resources
What happened in the Maccabean Revolt? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Dathan in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say to do with a rebellious child? | GotQuestions.org

Rebellion: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Rebellion

Rebellion Against God: Connected With: Contempt of God

Rebellion Against God: Connected With: Injustice and Corruption

Rebellion Against God: Connected With: Man is Prone To

Rebellion Against God: Connected With: Stubbornness

Rebellion Against God: Connected With: The Heart is the Seat of

Rebellion Against God: Exhibited in Departing from Him

Rebellion Against God: Exhibited in Departing from his Instituted Worship

Rebellion Against God: Exhibited in Departing from his Precepts

Rebellion Against God: Exhibited in Despising his Counsels

Rebellion Against God: Exhibited in Despising his Law

Rebellion Against God: Exhibited in Distrusting his Power

Rebellion Against God: Exhibited in Murmuring Against Him

Rebellion Against God: Exhibited in Rebellion Against Governors Appointed by Him

Rebellion Against God: Exhibited in Refusing to Hearken to Him

Rebellion Against God: Exhibited in Rejecting his Government

Rebellion Against God: Exhibited in Revolting from Him

Rebellion Against God: Exhibited in Sinning Against Light

Rebellion Against God: Exhibited in Unbelief

Rebellion Against God: Exhibited in Walking After Our own Thoughts

Rebellion Against God: Forbidden

Rebellion Against God: Forgiven Upon Repentance

Rebellion Against God: God Alone Can Forgive

Rebellion Against God: God is Ready to Forgive

Rebellion Against God: Guilt of Aggravated by God's Fatherly Care

Rebellion Against God: Guilt of Aggravated by God's Unceasing Invitations to Return to Him

Rebellion Against God: Guilt of To be Confessed

Rebellion Against God: Guilt of To be Deprecated

Rebellion Against God: Heinousness of

Rebellion Against God: Ingratitude of-Illustrated

Rebellion Against God: Israelites

Rebellion Against God: Jeroboam

Rebellion Against God: Kingdom of Israel

Rebellion Against God: Korah

Rebellion Against God: Ministers: Cautioned Against

Rebellion Against God: Ministers: Sent to Those Guilty of

Rebellion Against God: Ministers: should Remind Their People of Past

Rebellion Against God: Ministers: should Testify Against

Rebellion Against God: Ministers: should Warn Against

Rebellion Against God: Moses and Aaron

Rebellion Against God: Pharaoh

Rebellion Against God: Promises to Those Who Avoid

Rebellion Against God: Provokes Christ

Rebellion Against God: Provokes God

Rebellion Against God: Punishment For

Rebellion Against God: Punishment for Teaching

Rebellion Against God: Religious Instruction Designed to Prevent

Rebellion Against God: Saul

Rebellion Against God: They Who are Guilty of Aggravate Their Sin By

Rebellion Against God: They Who are Guilty of Brought Low For

Rebellion Against God: They Who are Guilty of Cast out in Their Sins For

Rebellion Against God: They Who are Guilty of Cast out of the Church For

Rebellion Against God: They Who are Guilty of Delivered Into the Hands of Enemies on Account of

Rebellion Against God: They Who are Guilty of Denounced

Rebellion Against God: They Who are Guilty of Have God As Their Enemy

Rebellion Against God: They Who are Guilty of Have God's Hand Against Them

Rebellion Against God: They Who are Guilty of Impoverished For

Rebellion Against God: They Who are Guilty of Increase In, Though Chastised

Rebellion Against God: They Who are Guilty of Persevere In

Rebellion Against God: They Who are Guilty of Practise Hypocrisy to Hide

Rebellion Against God: They Who are Guilty of Restored Through Christ Alone

Rebellion Against God: They Who are Guilty of Warned not to Exalt Themselves

Rebellion Against God: Vexes the Holy Spirit

Rebellion Against God: Zedekiah

Rebellion: Absalom

Rebellion: Revolt of the Ten Tribes

Rebellion: Sheba

Rebellion: Treasonable

Related Terms

Transgression (70 Occurrences)

Merathaim (1 Occurrence)

Perversion (13 Occurrences)

Artaxerxes (14 Occurrences)

Ahithophel (17 Occurrences)

Rebel (35 Occurrences)

Rebellious (63 Occurrences)

Gaal (10 Occurrences)

Wondrous (41 Occurrences)

Ittai (9 Occurrences)

Revolt (18 Occurrences)

Mesha (4 Occurrences)

Mahanaim (15 Occurrences)

Mered (2 Occurrences)

Counseled (12 Occurrences)

Cambyses

Asnapper (1 Occurrence)

Sedition (8 Occurrences)

Stubbornness (14 Occurrences)

Mephibosheth (13 Occurrences)

Flavius

Zedekiah (63 Occurrences)

Josephus

Korah (51 Occurrences)

Stubborn (40 Occurrences)

Numbers (136 Occurrences)

Shimei (43 Occurrences)

Neck (97 Occurrences)

Preached (75 Occurrences)

Gibeon (39 Occurrences)

Idolatry (14 Occurrences)

Persians (6 Occurrences)

Demetrius (3 Occurrences)

Jonathan (109 Occurrences)

Aaron (343 Occurrences)

Polygamy

Rod (138 Occurrences)

Jerusalem (782 Occurrences)

Bondage (55 Occurrences)

Shemaiah (40 Occurrences)

Harden (22 Occurrences)

Canaan (102 Occurrences)

Canaanites (63 Occurrences)

David (1052 Occurrences)

Zadok (50 Occurrences)

Zechariah (55 Occurrences)

Korah's (4 Occurrences)

Necks (28 Occurrences)

Nourish (16 Occurrences)

Unruly (8 Occurrences)

Unfaithful (58 Occurrences)

Undisciplined (3 Occurrences)

Olves

Juda (11 Occurrences)

Long-suffering (23 Occurrences)

Loving-kindness (150 Occurrences)

Grumbling (13 Occurrences)

Grumblings (6 Occurrences)

Walks (51 Occurrences)

Withdraw (52 Occurrences)

Wink (2 Occurrences)

Idleness (4 Occurrences)

Israel (27466 Occurrences)

Insurrection (8 Occurrences)

Insubordination (1 Occurrence)

Issued (40 Occurrences)

Forgiving (11 Occurrences)

Forsookest (2 Occurrences)

Theudas (1 Occurrence)

Treachery (18 Occurrences)

Taskmaster (3 Occurrences)

Tirzah (17 Occurrences)

Teraphim (14 Occurrences)

Thwart (5 Occurrences)

Rebelling (4 Occurrences)

Rushed (24 Occurrences)

Riotously (2 Occurrences)

Esarhaddon (3 Occurrences)

Egyptian (35 Occurrences)

Rebellion Against God: Punishment for Teaching
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