Life Principle 2
Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him (Exodus 19:5)
Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him (Exodus 19:5)
Life’s Questions
How do you relate to God, His commands, and the challenges and temptations that confront you? The world denies that God has any authority but, as a believer, you understand the truth. As the Creator of all that exists, God has the right and the power to conform all circumstances to His will. He’s also entitled to expect a certain standard of behavior from those who believe in Him.
When God directs you to do something, how do you respond? Do His commands seem too difficult or costly for you to obey? Are you facing a decision that seems overwhelming? Are you torn about whether or not to follow God’s instructions? Then Life Principle 2 should help you: Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.
What the Bible Says
Read Exodus 19:1–7. What had happened to the people of Israel in Egypt?
(Read Ex. 1 and Ps. 78:43–55 for a summary.)
Where were the people of Israel in this passage of Scripture (Ex 19:2)?
Why was it important that the Israelites had seen God’s power in action (Ex 19:4).
*** The word obey in the Old Testament primarily means to listen. It can also mean to heed, agree, consent, understand, and yield to. To obey God means that you must listen for His voice and trust what He’s telling you. Obeying God is absolutely essential to pleasing Him.
What was Israel’s reward if the people obeyed God (Ex 19:5-6)?
What does it mean to you to be God’s “special treasure” (Ex 19:5)? What especially appeals to you about the promise of His love and acceptance?
What It Means
Before Israel could take over the Promised Land, God had to teach them how to live as His people, His special possession. His commands were for their benefit and protection, so that He could establish them in the land and bless them. Their obedience was an essential part of their lives, because if they failed to observe God’s laws they would face the terrible consequences of their disobedience (see Deuteronomy 28).
The same is true for you. When you choose to disobey God, what you’re really saying is that you don’t have confidence in Him—and you cannot have intimate fellowship with someone that you don’t trust. Temptations and troubles come into your life and you worry that, if you obey God, you’ll lose something that you really want. On the other hand, if you’re committed to pursuing an intimate relationship with God, trusting and obeying Him in all circumstances, then you will know that you’re receiving His very best for your life—which is far better than you could ever obtain on your own.
Life Examples
Read Exodus 3. What was God’s command to Moses (Ex 3:7-10)?
What problems and consequences could come about from such a bold move by Moses
(Ex 3:11,13,19; also see Ex. 4:1,10)?
Do you think that, humanly speaking, Moses was right to be afraid with all of those obstacles? Why or why not?
What was God’s specific promise to Moses (Ex 3:12)? How do you know that God kept His promise?
*** Horeb and Sinai are two names for the same mountain. Some commentators think that Horeb was the western peak and Sinai was the eastern peak. Others believe that one name was for the general mountain range, while the other signified the specific mountain. Either way, we know that God kept His promise.
Living the Principle
Exodus 19 takes place on the same mountain where God called Moses to serve Him, which means that God fulfilled His promise to His servant and to Israel. Moses obeyed God despite the consequences that confronted him. Hebrews 11:27 states, “By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.” Moses trusted God, and every problem that he faced soon paled in comparison to the mighty love, wisdom, and power of the Commander.
*** In Exodus 3:14, God said that His name is “I AM WHO I AM.” This is also translated as, “I WILL ALWAYS BE WHO I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN,” or, “I WILL FOREVER BE WHO I AM NOW.” God never changes. As faithful and loving as He was yesterday for Moses, He will also be today, and He will continue to be for all eternity to you (see Heb. 13:8).
So how will you live out Life Principle 2 this week? What challenge are you facing today? What is God leading you to do? Your choice in this situation will determine whether you succeed or fail; therefore, obey God and leave in His hands whatever consequence is causing you to fear. If God makes a promise to you, you can be assured that He will bring it to pass.
Spend time in prayer asking God to draw you into intimate communion with Himself, to increase your faith, and to transform your life so that you can affect the world for the sake of His kingdom.
Life Lessons to Remember
How do you relate to God, His commands, and the challenges and temptations that confront you? The world denies that God has any authority but, as a believer, you understand the truth. As the Creator of all that exists, God has the right and the power to conform all circumstances to His will. He’s also entitled to expect a certain standard of behavior from those who believe in Him.
When God directs you to do something, how do you respond? Do His commands seem too difficult or costly for you to obey? Are you facing a decision that seems overwhelming? Are you torn about whether or not to follow God’s instructions? Then Life Principle 2 should help you: Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.
What the Bible Says
Read Exodus 19:1–7. What had happened to the people of Israel in Egypt?
(Read Ex. 1 and Ps. 78:43–55 for a summary.)
Where were the people of Israel in this passage of Scripture (Ex 19:2)?
Why was it important that the Israelites had seen God’s power in action (Ex 19:4).
*** The word obey in the Old Testament primarily means to listen. It can also mean to heed, agree, consent, understand, and yield to. To obey God means that you must listen for His voice and trust what He’s telling you. Obeying God is absolutely essential to pleasing Him.
What was Israel’s reward if the people obeyed God (Ex 19:5-6)?
What does it mean to you to be God’s “special treasure” (Ex 19:5)? What especially appeals to you about the promise of His love and acceptance?
What It Means
Before Israel could take over the Promised Land, God had to teach them how to live as His people, His special possession. His commands were for their benefit and protection, so that He could establish them in the land and bless them. Their obedience was an essential part of their lives, because if they failed to observe God’s laws they would face the terrible consequences of their disobedience (see Deuteronomy 28).
The same is true for you. When you choose to disobey God, what you’re really saying is that you don’t have confidence in Him—and you cannot have intimate fellowship with someone that you don’t trust. Temptations and troubles come into your life and you worry that, if you obey God, you’ll lose something that you really want. On the other hand, if you’re committed to pursuing an intimate relationship with God, trusting and obeying Him in all circumstances, then you will know that you’re receiving His very best for your life—which is far better than you could ever obtain on your own.
Life Examples
Read Exodus 3. What was God’s command to Moses (Ex 3:7-10)?
What problems and consequences could come about from such a bold move by Moses
(Ex 3:11,13,19; also see Ex. 4:1,10)?
Do you think that, humanly speaking, Moses was right to be afraid with all of those obstacles? Why or why not?
What was God’s specific promise to Moses (Ex 3:12)? How do you know that God kept His promise?
*** Horeb and Sinai are two names for the same mountain. Some commentators think that Horeb was the western peak and Sinai was the eastern peak. Others believe that one name was for the general mountain range, while the other signified the specific mountain. Either way, we know that God kept His promise.
Living the Principle
Exodus 19 takes place on the same mountain where God called Moses to serve Him, which means that God fulfilled His promise to His servant and to Israel. Moses obeyed God despite the consequences that confronted him. Hebrews 11:27 states, “By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.” Moses trusted God, and every problem that he faced soon paled in comparison to the mighty love, wisdom, and power of the Commander.
*** In Exodus 3:14, God said that His name is “I AM WHO I AM.” This is also translated as, “I WILL ALWAYS BE WHO I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN,” or, “I WILL FOREVER BE WHO I AM NOW.” God never changes. As faithful and loving as He was yesterday for Moses, He will also be today, and He will continue to be for all eternity to you (see Heb. 13:8).
So how will you live out Life Principle 2 this week? What challenge are you facing today? What is God leading you to do? Your choice in this situation will determine whether you succeed or fail; therefore, obey God and leave in His hands whatever consequence is causing you to fear. If God makes a promise to you, you can be assured that He will bring it to pass.
Spend time in prayer asking God to draw you into intimate communion with Himself, to increase your faith, and to transform your life so that you can affect the world for the sake of His kingdom.
Life Lessons to Remember
- Trust God with your life and all that concerns you (see Prov. 3:5–6).
- Wait on the Lord for an answer to your problem or situation (see Ps. 37:9).
- Meditate on God’s Word and listen to the Holy Spirit (see Matt. 6:33).
- Be willing to wait or walk away when the way before you is unclear (see Ps. 27:13–14).
- Be willing to endure conflict (see Matt. 5:10–12).
- Leave the consequences to God (see Ex. 14:13–14).