Stiff Necked

O. T. #390  "Stiff Necked"
October 21, 2014
Deuteronomy 9-Part 2
Furthermore the LORD spake unto me, saying, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people.  Deuteronomy 9:13

LET IT GLOW

Have you ever awakened with a stiff neck? I sure hurts to turn it, doesn't it? Israel had that same problem. God called them a stiff necked people, quite a few times. In fact, it appeared twice in this chapter. Let's find out more about it.

Moses interceded for Israel during the 40 years of their wanderings in the wilderness due to their rebellion. It was due to their numerous times of Israel's rebellion and his love for his family, that Moses prayed for God to deliver them instead of destroying them. These were a people who belonged to God, not Moses. If God had not delivered Israel, it would have tarnished the honor of God in the sight of the heathen nations. Also, God had promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that He would give Israel a Promised Land for an inheritance. We know that God kept His word and delivered Israel many times from being destroyed completely.

Are we interceding to our Lord for loved ones who are rebellious?
Are we careful to not become rebellious ourselves?

LET IT GROW

Moses lists several occasions when Israel had rebelled against God. Although they are not in chronological order, they begin with the smaller offenses and progress to the more serious rebellion.

Rebellion is not in the act, but in the attitude of the heart. (Falwell)

What were some of the rebellious times listed in this chapter?

• They complained about the lack of water only three days after leaving Egypt.
• While Moses was on Mt. Sinai forty days, receiving the Ten Commandments and the laws, they built a golden calf and worshiped it.
• They doubted God's ability to bring down the giants in their Promised Land and would not go into it to conquer it.
• Aaron led the rebellious making of the idol.
• At Taberah, they complained of their misfortunes (Num. 11:1-3).
• At Massah, they found fault with everything and in presumption put God to the test (Ex. 17:1-7).
• At Kibroth Hattaavah, the people complained about their food (Num. 11:31-35).
• At Kadesh Barnea, they lack faith in God and disobeyed (Num. 13; 14).

[References: Liberty Bible Commentary, The MacArthur Bible Commentary]

Twice in this chapter, God calls His people stiffnecked (verses 6 and 13). Also, there were four previous times in which the LORD called Israel a stiffnecked people (Exodus 32:9; 33:3,5; 34:9).
this description came from a horse or ox that refused to be turned by the reigns. These people did not want God to turn them, from going their own way, to going His way. Perhaps that would apply to their way of living, also. For such an attitude, God suggested eliminating Israel, but Moses interceded for them.

Do we need to be reminded our times of rebellion against God's instructions or Word? I think it helps to be reminded of it so we avoid being stubborn to do God's will, His way.

Psalm 119:36-37 says, Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.

Turn me, Lord Jesus to You.

LET IT GO

Turn from my stubbornness and let God turn me in His direction.

Stop complaining, grumbling, and mumbling.