The Stubburness of Man!

Opening: Have you ever been around a stubborn cow or bull?

Moses commanded to send spies into the Land of Canaan! The promise land!

They reported that indeed the land was full of milk and honey! BUT the people who lived there were to strong and their cities were fortified with walls and very large>

ONLY Joshua and Caleb believed God and wanted the people to enter the land and God would give it to them “as promised”

ISRAEL REFUSED TO ENTER THE LAND!

Numbers 14:1-11 Verse 11 our key text!

BELIEVE: Faith in God and his word was a fundamental presupposition underlying all of the actions, attitudes, and aesthetic reflections of faithful biblical persons. To believe God was to accept his precepts, his teachings, and his general revelation in nature, and then to act accordingly in obedient faith. This was what it meant for Israel to be the people of God on an individual or community basis, so that in the midst of social, political, and economic endeavors in an unbelieving world they might fully be a blessing to the nations. Simply put: Belief is when an individual places his/her faith in God knowing that God WILL DO WHAT HE SAYS HE WILL DO! NUMBERS 13:2 AND 15:2 God told them he was giving them the land!

“all the signs I have performed among them”

What signs exactly?

What wonders and signs were shown in "Egypt" Egypt was hit by the following ten plagues: (1) all bodies of water in Egypt turned into blood; (2) frogs covered Egypt: (3) lice covered Egypt; (4) swarms of flies covered Egypt; (5) all livestock of Egyptians that had been out in the open field died; (6) boils broke out on all Egyptians and their remaining animals; (7) hail decimated all of Egypt except Goshen where the Jews lived; (8) locusts ate all plants in Egypt; (9) total darkness covered Egypt except inside the homes of the Jews; (10) all firstborn Egyptians and the firstborn among their remaining livestock died (see Exodus 7:14-12:30).

What wonders and signs were shown "in the Red Sea" When the Egyptian army chased after the Jews after they left Egypt, God blocked the Egyptians, parted the Red Sea, let the Jews cross it on foot, and then drowned the Egyptians when they tried to cross it in pursuit of the Jews (see Exodus 14:5-31).

What wonders and signs were shown "in the wilderness" God fed and clothed an entire nation of people for "forty years" (Acts 7:36), including with bread from heaven and water from rock (see Exodus 15:22-17:7).

The bitter water at Marah made sweet, bread from heaven to feed them, No water to drink at Rephidim- water from a rock

Victory over the Amalekites! Moses told Joshua to assemble an army to fight. Mosses lifted his hands up they prevailed, he would get tired and lower his hands the Amalekites prevailed- Aaron and Hur held up Moses hands

Not to mention Mt. Sinai were God gave Moses the ten commandments and the law!

The children of Isreal saw it all! Back to Numbers 14:11

They rejected God and did not believe Him because of their STUBBORNNESS! This is the state of the lost, unsaved, unbelieving people around the world! 1 Sam 15:23

They are hardheaded, hardhearted. They dig their heels in. They insist on making “their point” living “their life, their way” Even when confronted with the signs and wonders of Almighty God- their creator!

People refuse to believe and accept God’s gift of Grace and Mercy, just like the children of Israel in verse 11! Being Stubborn:

1. Refusal to Change: A stubborn person refused to change their opinion, even when presented with truth, facts and information about Christ.

2. Rigid (set in ways): They are inflexible, resistant to change and may become angry at the one sharing the Gospel of Christ

3. Resistance to God’s authority: They want control, their rules, their ways only

4. Defensive Behavior: They feel attacked and become angry- Why do I need a Savoir? They Justify their belief’s. I’m good enough on my own!

Warning verses 22-24

in the church, some believers fall back into stubborn behaviors and it has a negative impact on the Gospel Message of Jesus Christ. This behavior can destroy years of progress and spiritual growth in weeks!

The most common signs of stubbornness:

1. Refusal to Change

A stubborn person often refuses to change their opinion, even when presented with facts or new information. They tend to cling to their beliefs, regardless of how much evidence contradicts them.

2. Rigidity

A stubborn person can be very inflexible in their approach to things. They may insist on doing things a certain way, without considering any other options. They tend to be very resistant to change and may become angry or defensive when challenged.

3. Difficulty in Compromise

A stubborn person finds it hard to compromise with others, even if it's necessary for the situation. They may feel like they are always right and that their way is the only way. This inflexibility can make it hard for them to work with others and create a cooperative environment.

4. Resistance to Authority

A stubborn person may be very resistant to authority. They may challenge or question rules and regulations and may struggle to follow them. They may feel like they know better than those in charge and may resist any attempts to control or direct them.

5. Defensive Behavior

A stubborn person can be very defensive when challenged. They may feel like they are being attacked and become angry or hostile. They may try to justify their behavior or beliefs, even if it's obvious they are in the wrong.

Psalm 81:8-16