Scripture Reading: Isaiah 6:8–10
Introduction
A. As faithful as Abraham was, we would expect His descendants to be more faithful than they were (John 8:39–40).
B. Many New Testament writers exhort us to show greater faith than the nation of Israel did. Do we?
Discussion
I. Israel’s history of faithlessness is as long as it is inglorious.
A. This history begins when Israel first became a nation (Acts 7:38–41; Numbers 14:11; Deuteronomy 9:23–24).
B. Foreigners were often more receptive to God than Israel was (Luke 4:24–27).
C. The history continues throughout the careers of God’s many prophets (Matthew 23:37–38; Acts 7:51–53).
D. It continues into the life of Jesus (Luke 4:28–29; John 7:5; 12:37–41; Romans 9:32–33; 1 Peter 2:6–8).
E. It continues still into the days of the apostles (Acts 13:40–41; 26:27–28; 28:24–27).
F. The trouble is that they were attempting to establish their own righteousness (Romans 10:1–18).
II. Faithlessness has always been rewarded with destruction.
A. Israel suffered God’s wrath at Mount Sinai (Exodus 32:26–28; Hebrews 12:25–26).
B. The unfaithful perished in the wilderness (Numbers 14:22–23; 20:12; Psalms 106; 78:21–22).
C. The unfaithful suffered in the days when kings led Israel (1 Chronicles 10:13; 2 Kings 17:18; Psalms 78:59–64).
D. The unfaithful are still to be punished (Hebrews 10:25–31; 4:11–13).
Conclusion
Living by faith is more than believing that there is a God (cf. James 2:19); it is following His counsel no matter where it takes you.