A Disobedient People

Read Deuteronomy 7:11-15.

It has always amazed me how disobedient the Israelites were as they journeyed out of Egypt and headed toward the promised land. Look at all the miracles God did to get them released. Besides the ten plagues, when Pharaoh reneged and pursued them with his soldiers, God parted the Red Sea for his people and then drowned their pursuers.

They knew firsthand how awesome and all-powerful God was, and yet they continued to make poor choices, like building a golden calf to worship. He made them great promises if they would only keep his commandments, but they didn't.

This is why they ended up wandering in the wilderness for forty years. For their chronic disobedience, God said that none of the first-generation would see the promised land except for Joshua and Caleb, who remained faithful. However, he didn't destroy the people but waited until they died of natural causes.

It's easy to criticize these disobedient Israelites, but are we much different? Are we as faithful to God as we should be, or do we get distracted and give other things too much allegiance? He wants to be first in our lives, above all else. He won't and shouldn't accept second best.

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