Sin: Reproaching the Lord
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Reproaching the Lord is a grievous sin that involves speaking or acting in a manner that shows contempt, disrespect, or irreverence towards God. This sin is highlighted throughout the Scriptures as a serious offense against the holiness and majesty of the Almighty. It reflects a heart that is hardened against God's authority and goodness, often leading to severe consequences.

Biblical Instances and Warnings

1. Israel's Wilderness Complaints: One of the most notable examples of reproaching the Lord is found in the behavior of the Israelites during their wilderness journey. Despite witnessing God's miraculous deliverance from Egypt, the Israelites frequently complained and doubted God's provision. In Numbers 14:11 , the Lord expresses His frustration: "And the LORD said to Moses, 'How long will this people treat Me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in Me, despite all the signs I have performed among them?'"

2. Korah's Rebellion: Another significant instance is the rebellion led by Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. They challenged the leadership of Moses and Aaron, which was ultimately a challenge against God's appointed order. Numbers 16:30 records God's response: "But if the LORD brings about something unprecedented, and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them up with all that belongs to them, and they go down alive into Sheol, then you will know that these men have treated the LORD with contempt."

3. The Sin of Eli's Sons: In 1 Samuel 2:12-17, the sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, are described as treating the Lord's offerings with contempt. Their actions were not only a reproach to the sacrificial system but also a direct affront to God's holiness. This led to their downfall and the eventual judgment upon Eli's household.

4. King Saul's Disobedience: King Saul's failure to fully obey God's command regarding the Amalekites is another example of reproaching the Lord. In 1 Samuel 15:23 , the prophet Samuel declares, "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."

Theological Implications

Reproaching the Lord is not merely an external act but a reflection of an internal disposition that fails to honor God as sovereign. It is rooted in unbelief, pride, and a lack of reverence for God's character and commands. This sin is often accompanied by a refusal to acknowledge God's rightful place as Creator and Sustainer, leading to a breakdown in the covenant relationship between God and His people.

Consequences of Reproaching the Lord

The Bible consistently portrays the consequences of reproaching the Lord as severe and far-reaching. Those who engage in this sin often face divine judgment, loss of blessing, and separation from God's presence. The Israelites' prolonged wandering in the wilderness, the destruction of Korah and his followers, and the rejection of Saul as king all serve as sobering reminders of the seriousness with which God views this sin.

Call to Reverence and Obedience

Scripture calls believers to approach God with reverence and obedience, recognizing His holiness and authority. Hebrews 12:28-29 exhorts, "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire." This call to reverence is a safeguard against the sin of reproaching the Lord, urging believers to maintain a posture of humility and submission before Him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Numbers 15:30
But the soul that does ought presumptuously, whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproaches the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 74:18
Remember this, that the enemy has reproached, O LORD, and that the foolish people have blasphemed your name.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Of the Various Fruits of Penitence.
... Him: "I acknowledge mine iniquity, and my sin is ever ... brings shame, and to forgive
sins without any reproaching. ... the goodness and mercy of the Lord, who when ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter viii of the various.htm

The Heinous Sin of Drunkenness
... should you seek for succor, but of him your Lord? ... them, where they will be eternally
reproaching and cursing ... for those who would overcome the sin of drunkenness ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the heinous sin of drunkenness.htm

Faith
... (1) Unbelief is a Christ-reproaching sin. ... is more mercy in God and merit in Christ
than sin in us ... A believer may say, Lord, it is not the righteousness of Adam ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/4 1 faith.htm

Why for the People of Tyre and Sidon, who Would have Believed, the ...
... And this the Lord, reproaching them, declares when He says, "Woe ... For the Lord goes
on to say, "Nevertheless, I ... they are kept bound by original sin alone, and ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 23 why for the people.htm

The Divine Power Shown in Christ's Incarnation Meaning of St. ...
... having gathered themselves together against the Lord and against ... would not have been
just in reproaching the Jews ... For where had been their sin, if they only ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xiv the divine power shown.htm

John Chapter xv. 24, 25
... did such works among them; but this sin of theirs ... these they saw, and it is in
reproaching them therewith ... inconvenience: so do the wicked hate the Lord; and so ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xci john chapter xv.htm

Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount
... God a liar, to live without sin!" " Above all ... for righteousness' sake, our blessed
Lord describes farther ... who are continually cursing and reproaching you when ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 23 upon our lords.htm

Letter Lxi. --Letter to Maximus. (Written About 371 AD )
... join the Jews who passed by of old in reproaching Him that ... the feet of the disciples:
Ye call Me Lord and Master ... of the ages [4787] , to put away sin' the Word ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/letter lxi letter to maximus written.htm

Treats of the Sublime Favours God Bestows on Souls which have ...
... To pray for a soul in mortal sin is a far more ... This is not in her power; when our
Lord chooses, He ... of her soul as Martha did of Mary, [401] reproaching it with ...
/.../teresa/the interior castle or the mansions/chapter i treats of the 2.htm

Father and Child
... heathen did not allow; for profaning the Lord's Supper, to ... by raking up old offences,
by reproaching them with ... thoughts, and magnify His hatred of sin thereby. ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xxi father and child.htm

Resources
What is the definition of sin? | GotQuestions.org

The Study of Sin ' Article Index | GotQuestions.org

If Jesus paid the price for our sin, why do we still suffer the consequences of our sin? | GotQuestions.org

Sin: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Sin

Sin Against the Holy Spirit

Sin Being Equal

Sin in Believers is a Reproach to the Lord

Sin is of the Devil

Sin is the Transgression of the Law

Sin Money

Sin Money: General Scriptures Concerning

Sin of Eli's Household

Sin Offering

Sin: A City of Egypt

Sin: Against Knowledge

Sin: Against the Body

Sin: Aggravated by Neglecting Advantages

Sin: All Men are Conceived and Born In

Sin: All Men are Shapen In

Sin: All the Imaginations of the Unrenewed Heart Are

Sin: All Unrighteousness Is

Sin: Attempt to Cover, Vain

Sin: Babylon

Sin: Besetting

Sin: Blessings Withheld on Account of

Sin: Christ Alone Was Without

Sin: Christ Was Manifested to Take Away

Sin: Christ's Blood Cleanses From

Sin: Christ's Blood Redeems From

Sin: Coming from the Heart

Sin: Confession of

Sin: Confusion of Face Belongs to Those Guilty of

Sin: Consequences of, Entailed Upon Children

Sin: Conspiracy

Sin: Dead Works

Sin: Death, the Punishment of

Sin: Death, the Wages of

Sin: Deceitful

Sin: Defiles

Sin: Defiling

Sin: Degrees In

Sin: Desert of, a Wilderness Between Elim and Sinai: Counted In

Sin: Desert of, a Wilderness Between Elim and Sinai: Manna and Quail Given In

Sin: Desert of, a Wilderness Between Elim and Sinai: The Complaint for Bread In

Sin: Desert of, a Wilderness Between Elim and Sinai: The People of Israel Journey Through

Sin: Disgraceful

Sin: Entered Into the World by Adam

Sin: Excludes from Heaven

Sin: Fools Mock At

Sin: Forgiveness of

Sin: Fruits of

Sin: God Has Opened a Fountain For

Sin: God is Provoked to Anger By

Sin: God is Provoked to Jealousy By

Sin: God: Abominates

Sin: God: Alone Can Forgive

Sin: God: Marks

Sin: God: Punishes

Sin: God: Recompenses

Sin: God: Remembers

Sin: Guilt of Concerning

Sin: If we Say That we Have No, we Make God a Liar

Sin: Ignorant

Sin: Israel's

Sin: Jealousy

Sin: Known to God

Sin: Leads to Disease

Sin: Leads to Disquiet

Sin: Leads to Shame

Sin: Like Scarlet and Crimson

Sin: Little Sins

Sin: Love of

Sin: Ministers should Warn the Wicked to Forsake

Sin: Murder

Sin: National, Punishment of

Sin: No Escape from the Consequences of

Sin: No Man Can Atone For

Sin: No Man Can Cleanse Himself From

Sin: No Man is Without

Sin: None in Heaven

Sin: Not Counted Against Righteous People

Sin: Often Manifold

Sin: Often Mighty

Sin: Often Presumptuous

Sin: Often Very Great

Sin: Omission of What we Know to be Good Is

Sin: Paul's Discussion of the Responsibility For

Sin: Pleasures of

Sin: Prayer Hindered By

Sin: Progressive

Sin: Punishment of

Sin: Reaching to Heaven

Sin: Rebellion Against God

Sin: Redeemed

Sin: Reproaching the Lord

Sin: Repugnant to God

Sin: Repugnant to Righteous People

Sin: Saints: Abhor Themselves on Account of

Sin: Saints: Ashamed of Having Committed

Sin: Saints: Cannot Live In

Sin: Saints: Dead To

Sin: Saints: Have Yet the Remains of, in Them

Sin: Saints: Made Free From

Sin: Saints: Profess to Have Ceased From

Sin: Saints: Resolve Against

Sin: Scripture Concludes all Under

Sin: Secret Sins

Sin: Separates from God

Sin: Shall Find out the Wicked

Sin: should be Abhorred

Sin: should be Avoided Even in Appearance

Sin: should be Confessed

Sin: should be Departed From

Sin: should be Guarded Against

Sin: should be Hated

Sin: should be Mortified

Sin: should be Mourned Over

Sin: should be Put Away

Sin: should be Striven Against

Sin: should be Wholly Destroyed

Sin: Sinfulness of

Sin: Sometimes Open and Manifest

Sin: Sometimes Secret

Sin: Specially Strive Against Besetting

Sin: The Abominable Thing That God Hates

Sin: The Egyptians

Sin: The Entangling

Sin: The Fear of God Restrains

Sin: The Fruit of Lust

Sin: The Ground Was Cursed on Account of

Sin: The Holy Spirit Convinces of

Sin: The Israelites

Sin: The Law by Its Strictness Stirs Up

Sin: The Law is the Strength of

Sin: The Law is Transgressed by Every

Sin: The Law: Curses Those Guilty of

Sin: The Law: Gives Knowledge of

Sin: The Law: Made to Restrain

Sin: The Law: Shows Exceeding Sinfulness of

Sin: The Sodomites

Sin: The Sting of Death

Sin: The Thought of Foolishness Is

Sin: The Unpardonable

Sin: The Wicked: Boast of

Sin: The Wicked: Cannot Cease From

Sin: The Wicked: Dead In

Sin: The Wicked: Defy God in Committing

Sin: The Wicked: Delight in Those Who Commit

Sin: The Wicked: Encourage Themselves In

Sin: The Wicked: Encouraged In, by Prosperity

Sin: The Wicked: Excuse

Sin: The Wicked: Expect Impunity In

Sin: The Wicked: Guilty of, in Everything They Do

Sin: The Wicked: Heap Up

Sin: The Wicked: Led by Despair to Continue In

Sin: The Wicked: Make a Mock At

Sin: The Wicked: Plead Necessity For

Sin: The Wicked: Servants To

Sin: The Wicked: Shall Bear the Shame of

Sin: The Wicked: Tempt Others To

Sin: The Wicked: Throw the Blame of, on God

Sin: The Wicked: Throw the Blame of, on Others

Sin: The Wicked: Try to Conceal, from God

Sin: The Word of God Keeps From

Sin: To be Hated

Sin: Toil and Sorrow Originated In

Sin: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To, Defining and Illustrating

Sin: we should Pray to God: To Cleanse Us From

Sin: we should Pray to God: To Deliver Us From

Sin: we should Pray to God: To Forgive Our

Sin: we should Pray to God: To Keep Us From

Sin: we should Pray to God: To Make Us Know Our

Sin: we should Pray to God: To Search For, in Our Hearts

Sin: Whatever is not of Faith Is

Sin: when Finished Brings Forth Death

Sin: Works of Darkness

Related Terms

Sin-offerings (8 Occurrences)

Sin's (3 Occurrences)

Sin-money (1 Occurrence)

Sin-offering (115 Occurrences)

Sinlessness

Committing (30 Occurrences)

Kid (42 Occurrences)

Sinoffering

Commits (39 Occurrences)

Confessed (19 Occurrences)

Cord (47 Occurrences)

Committeth (22 Occurrences)

Sinneth (25 Occurrences)

Afford (12 Occurrences)

Suffice (22 Occurrences)

Sinning (59 Occurrences)

Acknowledge (61 Occurrences)

Covetousness (22 Occurrences)

Continual (55 Occurrences)

Sinful (61 Occurrences)

Blot (23 Occurrences)

Convict (12 Occurrences)

Atone (8 Occurrences)

Sting (5 Occurrences)

Slaughtereth (13 Occurrences)

Confession (22 Occurrences)

Azazel (3 Occurrences)

Slaves (119 Occurrences)

Conception (6 Occurrences)

Year-old (6 Occurrences)

Contrite (5 Occurrences)

Contrition (1 Occurrence)

Covet (14 Occurrences)

Coveting (3 Occurrences)

Advocate (7 Occurrences)

Atoned (8 Occurrences)

Sinfulness (3 Occurrences)

Slaughtered (72 Occurrences)

Apostate (5 Occurrences)

Sinner (88 Occurrences)

Yearling (48 Occurrences)

Commit (142 Occurrences)

Adultery (49 Occurrences)

Salvation (386 Occurrences)

Agony (20 Occurrences)

Burnt-offering (205 Occurrences)

Slaughter (121 Occurrences)

Committed (201 Occurrences)

Bullock (95 Occurrences)

Confess (65 Occurrences)

Conscious (93 Occurrences)

Shown (131 Occurrences)

Community (77 Occurrences)

Blemish (71 Occurrences)

Covetous (11 Occurrences)

Convicted (4 Occurrences)

Carnal (11 Occurrences)

Charging (27 Occurrences)

Cloke (7 Occurrences)

Concupiscence (3 Occurrences)

Afforded (2 Occurrences)

Acquittal (7 Occurrences)

Abound (36 Occurrences)

Advantage (44 Occurrences)

Abides (37 Occurrences)

Sennacherib (13 Occurrences)

Serving (85 Occurrences)

Sincere (18 Occurrences)

Stands (111 Occurrences)

Seizing (7 Occurrences)

Can't (180 Occurrences)

Sentence (53 Occurrences)

Claim (30 Occurrences)

Attack (221 Occurrences)

Sincerity (17 Occurrences)

Sacrificed (112 Occurrences)

Kinds (110 Occurrences)

Astray (116 Occurrences)

Sin: Redeemed
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