The Folly of Stubbornness

Deuteronomy 1:43-46 I spoke to you, but you did not listen. You refused to obey the LORD’s command. You thought you could use your own power, so you went up into the hill country. The Amorites who lived there came out like a swarm of bees and chased you all the way from Seir to Hormah. Then you came back crying to the LORD for help, but the LORD refused to listen to you. So you stayed at Kadesh for such a long time.

When was the last time you ran into someone who stubbornly refused to listen to reason, who stubbornly refused to yield even though it was, or at least should have been, plainly obvious to all that they were heading in the wrong direction? And how much, pray tell, did you enjoy that little experience?

Stubborn people aren’t a lot of fun to be around – although let’s be honest, we’re all prone to stubbornness from time to time. Something fires us up so we dig in our heels, lock ourselves into an intransigent position, pitting ourselves against everyone – even God Himself.

Now, maybe if we stop and think about it, we’d see how stupid that is. But when we’re all fired up, we plough on regardless. So, how well has that turned out for you in the past?

Here’s Moses talking to the people of Israel when they were being particularly stubborn:

Deuteronomy 1:43-46 I spoke to you, but you did not listen. You refused to obey the LORD’s command. You thought you could use your own power, so you went up into the hill country. The Amorites who lived there came out like a swarm of bees and chased you all the way from Seir to Hormah. Then you came back crying to the LORD for help, but the LORD refused to listen to you. So you stayed at Kadesh for such a long time.

They stubbornly refused to obey the Lord’s command. Instead, they went up against the Amorites suffered a resounding defeat – death and destruction. Why would you do that? Why indeed!

#NoteToSelf: When we rebel against God, we shouldn’t expect Him to help us when it all goes wrong.

That’s His Word. Fresh … for you … today.

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