Israel's Rebellion

Read Isaiah 63
 
Isaiah 63:10-12 Yet they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit. So he turned and became their enemy, and he himself fought against them. 11 Then his people recalled the days of old, the days of Moses and his people — where is he who brought them through the sea, with the shepherd of his flock? Where is he who set his Holy Spirit among them, 12 who sent his glorious arm of power to be at Moses’ right hand, who divided the waters before them, to gain for himself everlasting renown.
 
THIS chapter begins with the image of the bloodied Christ coming from the enemy’s camp to proclaim victory for God’s people. Edom is a nation founded by the rebellious Esau, Isaac’s son and Jacob’s brother. “Esau” is Edom and relates to his red hair and the red stew he traded for his birthright. (Genesis 25:30) This is one of the many ways God’s chosen people rebelled against God. Rebellion does not mean God’s people revolted against him, but, instead, they avoided God, irritated him with their disobedience, angered him with their ignorance and disobeyed him with their idolatry. God’s justice sends the conquering Christ wearing the signs of war and victory over Edom.
   Then Isaiah points again to Israel’s rebellious history with the LORD. Do you wonder why the Bible has so many, many references to Israel’s neglect and sin? One reason is to keep us who are called into the church to consistently ask, “Are we as Israel was? Do we rebel against God?”
   It’s easy to quickly say, “No.” And I’ve heard many in the church say, “Israel was a stiff-necked people.” in condemnation of the nation. But let’s remember Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 7:1 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” Is not the church marred with much trouble and division? Why do so many reject some or many parts of God’s Word – even the entire Old Testament – to say, “We have decided what is right.” Why do so many of us do what we prefer, rebelling against God’s commands?
   When we look to Israel’s history, let’s learn from their rebellion. Know that God formed and molded Israel to be his own through the law and the prophets, through the promises of salvation, hope and eternal life. They were “stiff-necked” because sin dominated even the minds of God’s people. The church has become a new form of Israel, formed to live into God’s saving grace.
   The Bible’s lesson is this: Know who you are. The gospel message is clear: 1 John 3:1 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. God has created the church of Jesus Christ to be your eternal nation. You are called out of death into life. Your response is not rebellion but must be obedience.
   You might say, “I know that.” But let’s be careful we live it.
 
Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.