Sabbath: Restless and Rebellious
Image © Pacific Press
Sabbath Afternoon
Read for This Week’s Study: Num: 11:1-33, Num: 12:1-13, Num: 13:27-33, Num: 14:1-23, 1 Corinthians 10:1-11, Num: 14:39-45.
Memory Text: “Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come” (1 Corinthians 10:11).
Over the centuries, many people have reported strange, restless behavior in dogs and other domestic animals before major earthquakes.
Scientists have now established that animals are able to detect the first of an earthquake’s seismic waves — the pressure wave — that arrives in advance of the secondary shaking wave. This probably explains why animals have been reported acting confused, or restless, right before the ground starts to shake. Some animals, such as elephants, can perceive low-frequency sound waves and vibrations from foreshocks, which humans can’t detect at all.
A few minutes before the 5.8-magnitude quake that hit the Washington, D.C., area on August 23, 2011, some of the animals at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Zoo started behaving strangely. Among those were the lemurs, who began calling loudly for about 15 minutes before the ground started shaking.
In this week’s study, we look at some examples of strange human restlessness that was brought about, not by impending natural disasters such as earthquakes but, rather, by the basic sinfulness of fallen human beings who were not resting in what Christ offers all who come to Him in faith and obedience.
Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, July 10.
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In a world where democracy is the most favored system of government, we hear of the expression, “The majority is always right.” However, this was never the case in Caleb’s life even in our time!
Before the Israelites were able to enter the Promised Land, Moses sent out 12 spies to scout the land of Canaan. After 40 days, it was time for them to give their report. Ten of the spies said:
“Then they told him, and said: ‘We went to the land where you sent us. It truly flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. Nevertheless the people who dwell in the land are strong; the cities are fortified and very large; moreover we saw the descendants of Anak there. The Amalekites dwell in the land of the South; the Hittites, the Jebusites, and the Amorites dwell in the mountains; and the Canaanites dwell by the sea and along the banks of the Jordan.’” (Numbers 13:27-29)
The report of the ten spies discouraged the people. It even melted their hearts. However, Caleb SILENCED the crowd and boldly stated:
“LET US GO UP AT ONCE and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it” (Verse 30).
Now, here’s a man who stood out from the crowd and demonstrated a great zeal and passion for following God’s command. However, the Israelites were contaminated with the majority-is-always-right mentality. Because of the bad report given by the ten spies, they refused to enter the Promised Land.
From the above story, we can see that men have always sought to disregard the commandments of God. After all, we read in Revelation 12:9 that the WHOLE WORLD is deceived by no other than Satan, the devil. Therefore, we can see that true Christians are always outnumbered.
However, time will come when God’s kingdom will be established on this earth. At that point, God’s people will rule and become the “majority” who will teach the rest of mankind God’s way of life.
Please explain your last paragraph
Josiah you said- 'However, time will come when God’s kingdom will be established on this earth. At that point, God’s people will rule and become the “majority” who will teach the rest of mankind God’s way of life.'
Can you gave me some scriptures to support your decisions. According to the bible. Jeremiah 31:31-34. sounds like all shall know the Lord and none shall teach any the words. Rev 21:22-27; 22:3-6. Sounds like the nation will be serving Jesus and not teaching others.
Paul’s words recorded in 1Cor.10:11KJV remind me of this current world's struggle through unbelieve as we live in 'the end of time'.
I see the children of Israel's ‘Restless and Rebellious’ behavior as a sign that they did not yet know, did not trust their new God or understood the reasons why He brought them out of Egypt.
God had started to implement His plan to introduce Himself to all mankind as their Lord and Savior, but only Moses was given all the information. The people were instructed to follow, have faith in the new God and its chosen leaders; but they had a hard time of letting go of their old, established and comfortable ways of living - just as it is now.
As I read through this upcoming week’s Scripture references, it occurred to me how close and personal God’s relational interaction was with Moses, how much he loved and trusted him.
Numbers 12:3KJV describes Moses: Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.
In our day and time, would we find leaders with this disposition to move anyone to change their direction in life? I do not think so. The difference is that God knew Moses! He selected him for the task to lead a people who were no people to become a nation, recognized and established by their God in the eys of the whole world.
God was set to use Moses to fulfilling His plan, even to the point where He would strike everyone dead and start anew with Moses’ family – Numbers14:11-19KJV. But Moses entreated God to remember His reputation and protect it in the eyes of the onlooking nations and for the success of the mission - and God changed His mind.
And now we, living in the ends of the ages, benefit from the record of the restlessness and rebellion of the Children of Israel. I am impressed by God choosing Moses, the *meek* man, to lead these unruly people.
I find meekness to be a disposition which allows the Word of Life and Light to settle in the heart and mind of the believer. In light of the Children of Israel's record of 'restlessness and rebellion', I am looking forward to learn about faith and believe in God’s forgiveness through His Grace and Mercy.
We, upon whom the ends of the ages have come, are truly blessed!
Sad to realize that mankind(including me!) by default is restless and rebellious, without even realizing this until confronted by the Law of the Lord. Our naturally selfish nature does not always reason with our own behavior towards others, including God. But the Law will expose the real condition of our mind/heart, and hopefully, through faith, will lead us to seek the Remedy through Rest in Jesus.
Robert, thanks for your post. I was struck by what sounds to me like raw realization when you wrote, " Our naturally selfish nature does not always reason with our own behavior towards others, including God". I can certainly identify with you on this issue.
In accord with the sentiments expressed in the last paragraph of this day's lesson, it is my deepest desire that myself and all my fellow humans carry a constant awareness of a sameness in our nature that is alien to our Creator's design and creation (Gen 1:26-27). May the goal expressed in the memory text (1 Cor 10:11), bring and maintain us in the knowledge of the wide application of the "basic sinfulness of fallen human beings who were not resting in what Christ offers all who come to Him in faith and obedience."
It can be a sad realization when we come to the knowledge that all of us share the one characteristic that drives us to be, think and live in "unfaithfulness" towards God (Num 5:6-7 (NKJV) and our fellow beings (Num 5:12). However, despite the shared "deadness" of our being (Rm 4:19 (NKJV), we discover a hope in which we may truly rest (Heb 2:14-16). We are, in fact, promised rest from the exhausting trial-and-erring cycle of sameness that is us (Heb 3:5-6; 4:8-10; Mt 11:28-29).
what do the word "restlessness" truly means on the lesson and scriptures tho?
Donabelle, please read the daily lessons for the rest of the week as they unpack the meaning of restlessness.
Please feel free to ask further questions or contribute your thoughts.