Rebellion in the Bible: Understanding Defiance and Disobedience

The Nature and Origins of Rebellion

Rebellion is opposition to authority and always begins in the heart; it always manifests as disobedience, choosing not to go the way directed or not doing what one is told to do. Rebellious human nature rejects authority, desiring

Rebelling against God has a high price tag

freedom from any restrictions and accountability. With an arrogant and defiant attitude, it says, ‘I don’t need rules or anyone telling me what to do, I’ll do things my way’. Satan was jealous and rebelled against God (Isa 14:12-14), resulting in his expulsion from heaven. He then persuaded Adam and Eve to rebel against God’s commands, bringing judgment that resulted in humanity becoming alienated from their creator, with the whole earth coming under the curse of sin (Gen 3:1-24). Rebellion is now firmly embedded in human nature and brings deception. Negative attitudes, dissatisfaction, selfishness, complaining and pride give rise to resistance to what is right and then become open defiance or enmity against God (Col 1:21). Moses said of the Israelites, “I know how rebellious you are” (Deut 31:27). Rebellion is more than being ignorant of God’s ways or being independent; it is not obeying His commands or being submissive to divinely appointed authorities, instead going one’s own way (1 Sam 12:15; Isa 53:6; Rom 13:1,2,5).

Consequences and Responses to Rebellion

Ezekiel was instructed to speak God’s word to the rebellious people regardless of their response, while he himself was to listen and not be like those he was amongst (Ezek 2:5-8). Those who rebel against God’s delegated authorities are rebelling against God, culminating in the ‘man of rebellion’ – the Antichrist (Rom 13:1-7; 2 Thes 2:3-12; Tit 3:1). King Saul only partially carried out God’s specific direction to “destroy the Amalekites”, keeping what appealed to them and refusing to fully obey the Lord. The strong warning of Scripture is “Rebellion is like the sin of witchcraft…Doing right is better than sacrifice” (1 Sam 15:1-23; Prov 21:3). The path of rebellion opens a person up to more evil practices, and witchcraft is totally forbidden (Deut 18:10; Gal 5:6).

Explicit obedience is required to experience the blessings of God. There is no success outside God’s will, so don’t try and do things your way, which in effect is hardening your heart and fighting against God as the Israelites did…“See to it that you do not refuse Him

The options are: obey or rebel

who speaks” (Num 14:41-45; Heb 3:15, 12:25). Israel’s history was a cycle of rebellion and restoration, yet God in His love forgives rebellion that is honestly repented of (Num 14:18; Jdg 2:10-19; Isa 59:13; 1 Jn 1:9). Do I have a similar track record of not obeying God's directives then returning to Him through repentance? When we rebel against His right to be our Lord, consequences follow (Rom 6:23).

Authority Structures and Avoiding Rebellion

Within human civilization, God has established a chain of command, and rebellion against His ordained order is sin. We are instructed to submit ourselves to the governing authorities, as long as those authorities do not require us to disobey the authority of God (Act 5:29; Rom 13:1-7). Rebellion against righteous authority leads to anarchy and the breakdown of society. Some of the authority structures God has established are national governments, the church, employment, and family.

Every human heart has the seed of rebellion germinating within, and when we believe someone is not respecting our rights, we rebel. Yet humbly appealing to authority by suggesting an alternative solution is one way to avoid rebellion and find a resolution to a problem. Offering solutions in respectful ways invites our authorities to consider options they may not have discovered without our input. Daniel's response to the Babylonian official is an example of showing respect and avoiding rebellion (Dan 1:8-16). While holding to truth often requires challenging those in authority, outright rebellion against any God-ordained authority is not sanctioned by Him unless it contravenes His Word and its principles.

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Bill