Refusing God is Life Changing

In the previous article on resisting the call of God, I revealed the challenge I had attempting to do so. My refusal lasted for six years but ultimately, I was compelled to comply (though not forced) because the Lord God is a very convincing Savior!

Throughout the Bible, we find numerous instances where God issued commands or requirements to individuals, expecting their obedience. However, not everyone responded in faith and submission. In some cases, outright refusal or rebellion against God's instructions led to dire consequences, including the loss of life. This article explores seven biblical figures who, by refusing God's requirements, ultimately faced death.

1. Lot's Wife: A Fatal Glance Back

When God decided to destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah due to their wickedness, He provided Lot and his family with a way of escape. The command was clear: "Do not look back, and do not stop anywhere in the plain; escape to the mountains, or you will be swept away!" (Genesis 19:17). However, Lot’s wife disobeyed this instruction.

As she fled, she looked back at the burning city, defying the angel’s warning. Her refusal to fully obey cost her life, as she was turned into a pillar of salt (Genesis 19:26). This tragic outcome serves as a sobering reminder of the cost of disobedience.

2. Nadab and Abihu's Unauthorized Worship

Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, were appointed as priests under the Old Covenant. They had the privilege and responsibility of offering sacrifices to God. However, in a moment of grave disobedience, they presented "unauthorized fire" before the Lord, something He had not commanded (Leviticus 10:1).

Their actions demonstrated a disregard for God’s holiness and specific instructions for worship. As a result, fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord (Leviticus 10:2). This event underscores the importance of reverence and strict obedience in worship.

3. Korah, Dathan, and Abiram's Rebellion

Korah, Dathan, and Abiram led a rebellion against Moses and Aaron, challenging their God-appointed leadership over Israel. They refused to accept the authority God had given to Moses and sought to elevate themselves. Their defiance was met with severe consequences.

Moses warned the people to move away from the tents of these rebellious men, and then God caused the earth to open and swallow them, along with their households and all their possessions (Numbers 16:1-35). The earth closed over them, and they perished, illustrating the dangers of rebelling against God’s established order.

4. The Cost Achan's Paid for Hidden Sin

After the Israelites conquered Jericho, God commanded that all the spoils of the city be devoted to Him, with nothing taken for personal gain (Joshua 6:17-19). However, Achan disobeyed this command and secretly took some of the forbidden items, hiding them in his tent.

His refusal to follow God’s instructions brought disaster not only on himself but also on the entire nation of Israel. When Achan’s sin was discovered, he and his family were taken to the Valley of Achor, where they were stoned to death and burned with fire (Joshua 7:24-26). Achan’s story is a stark reminder that hidden sins can have devastating consequences.

5. King Saul's Rejected God’s Command

King Saul’s refusal to fully obey God’s command led to his downfall and eventual death. God instructed Saul to completely destroy the Amalekites and all their possessions as an act of divine judgment (1 Samuel 15:3). However, Saul disobeyed by sparing King Agag and keeping the best of the livestock for himself, justifying his actions by claiming they were for sacrifices.

When confronted by the prophet Samuel, Saul tried to shift the blame and make excuses. Samuel delivered God’s judgment: "Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He has also rejected you from being king" (1 Samuel 15:23). Saul’s continued disobedience and refusal to fully submit to God eventually led to his death in battle (1 Samuel 31:1-6).

6. Ananias and Sapphira Lied to the Holy Spirit

In the early church, the believers were known for their generosity, selling their possessions to support those in need. Ananias and his wife Sapphira sold a piece of property but kept back part of the proceeds for themselves while claiming to have given the entire amount to the apostles (Acts 5:1-2).

Their lie was not just to the apostles but to the Holy Spirit. When confronted by Peter, Ananias fell down and died immediately after hearing Peter’s words (Acts 5:5). About three hours later, Sapphira came in, unaware of what had happened to her husband. When she repeated the lie, she too fell dead at Peter’s feet (Acts 5:10). Their deaths served as a powerful warning to the early church about the seriousness of lying to God.

7. Herod Agrippa I's Blasphemous Pride and Divine Judgment

Herod Agrippa I, the king who ruled over Judea, met a gruesome end due to his refusal to give glory to God. After delivering a public address, the people praised him, shouting, "This is the voice of a god, not of a man" (Acts 12:22).

Instead of rejecting their blasphemous praise and giving glory to God, Herod accepted it, reveling in the adulation. Immediately, an angel of the Lord struck him down because he did not give glory to God, and he was eaten by worms and died (Acts 12:23). Herod’s pride and failure to honor God led to a swift and fatal judgment.

Conclusion

The Bible is replete with examples of individuals who refused to obey God’s commands, resulting in their deaths. From Lot’s wife to Herod Agrippa I, these stories illustrate the seriousness of disobedience and the dire consequences of refusing to heed God’s instructions.

While God is merciful and patient, these accounts remind us that His commands are not to be taken lightly. They serve as a sobering warning to all believers about the cost of disobedience and the importance of walking in faith and submission to God’s will.

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