Human Response 135: Disobedience from Distrust

Exodus 16:20 Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto Moses; but some of them left of it until the morning, and it bred worms, and stank; and Moses was wroth with them.

When the manna began to be poured out, it came with instructions from God: Do not save up any of the one day’s allotment until the next day. But some of them kept some of the manna until the next day. Then what was hoarded rotted and stank. The people disobeyed a direct order from God, and suffered the consequences. Sin and disobedience always has consequences. Disobedience of any part of God’s Law will make life rotten and stinky. Of course, most consequences are unintended, but they are still real.

Furthermore, in order to prove that the Lord is in charge, He instructed them to gather double in Friday, keep it over for the Sabbath, and it will not rot. This shows that God’s will is right and God’s way is always best. The Obedience Response Lesson is made abundantly clear in the rotting and the not rotting. For a good life, it will always be best to do what God commands.

This response of disobedience arises from mistrust, or unbelief. They saw God provide daily bread for today, but would He do it tomorrow? I don’t trust Him, so I’d better take it into my own hands. If one believes God he will also obey Him. If God said it, believe it. If we trust, then we can do as He says. The old hymn, ”Trust and Obey,” is still good advice for a good life. Trust God for today, and let Him take care of tomorrow. We need to pray and believe: ”Give us this day our daily bread.”