REBELLION RULES

     Mr Grey's findings were becoming the talk of the town. Robert had done a great job of presenting his findings to the town council meeting and when he got done, nearly fifty more residents stood up and told the council how weird things had happed to them as well and their kids were almost always behind the happening.

     As Bill and Robert sat around Robert's kitchen table going over the meeting minutes, Helen came running in to the house yelling “STOP THE PRESSES. It’s happened again. “What's happened again?” Bill asked. “Not more weird things?” Robert added. “YES!” Helen yelled out, “ I thought the town council was going to put a stop to all this weird stuff.”

     “The council would love to put an end to all this weird stuff.” Bill said, “But the truth be known, they don't know how.” “Huh?” Helen said, “What do you mean?” “Well,” Robert spoke up, “You already know that we've learned all the kids in town have become part of a conspiracy, and in our meeting we sort of learned that it seems have something to do with something called “Rebellion Rules.”

     “How did you learn that?” Helen asked. “Believe it or not,” Bill answered, “From your granddaughter. “When I confronted Stella a few days ago she 'Rebellion Rules.” When I pushed her more for an explanation as to what they were rebelling against she said 'Anything and everything. parents, teachers, police and even God.”

     “This is really getting serious.” Helen said. “We know.” Robert answered. “No.” Helen said, I mean it is REALLY getting serious. Louie just ended up in the hospital.” “What?” Bill said, “Is he okay? What happened?” “I don't know.” Helen said, “But if these kids keep rebelling I have a feeling things are going to get worse for everyone.”

     “I wish I knew what in the world has gotten into these kids.” Robert said a little sad, “The vandalism was bad enough but now people are getting hurt.” “Maybe that's what's gotten into them.” Bill Piped up, “The World.” “Huh?” Robert and Helen questioned.

     “You know.” Bill said, “The me first attitude, and the I only want to do what I want to do attitude. All of that together leads to chaos, confusion, and calamity.” “Well, if something doesn’t happen soon,” Helen responded, “The whole town could be ruined. What is the council's next move? I was too busy serving refreshments at the last one to here how it ended.”

     “I don't know.” Bill answered, “They’re having another meeting tomorrow to discuss the problem and possible solutions. “Well, if you want my two cents.” Helen said, “I think a large whip would do wonders. I'll talk at you later. I'm meeting up with Daisy at the hospital to pray for Louie.”

     And God spoke all these words, saying, "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. "You shall have no other gods before me.

Exodus 20:1-3 (ESV)

     You may recognize this passage as the beginning of the ten commandments. God asks first place and obedience but Israel was not one to quickly follow God's laws. As we look deeper in to Israel's life as God's people we find them rebelling more often than they should.

     When the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people gathered themselves together to Aaron and said to him, "Up, make us gods who shall go before us. As for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him." So Aaron said to them, "Take off the rings of gold that are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me." So all the people took off the rings of gold that were in their ears and brought them to Aaron. And he received the gold from their hand and fashioned it with a graving tool and made a golden calf. And they said, "These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!" When Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it. And Aaron made proclamation and said, "Tomorrow shall be a feast to the LORD." And they rose up early the next day and offered burnt offerings and brought peace offerings. And the people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play. - Exodus 32:1-6 (ESV)

      And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals. And they abandoned the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt. They went after other gods, from among the gods of the peoples who were around them, and bowed down to them. And they provoked the LORD to anger. They abandoned the LORD and served the Baals and the Ashtaroth. So the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he gave them over to plunderers, who plundered them. And he sold them into the hand of their surrounding enemies, so that they could no longer withstand their enemies. Whenever they marched out, the hand of the LORD was against them for harm, as the LORD had warned, and as the LORD had sworn to them. And they were in terrible distress. Then the LORD raised up judges, who saved them out of the hand of those who plundered them. Yet they did not listen to their judges, for they whored after other gods and bowed down to them. They soon turned aside from the way in which their fathers had walked, who had obeyed the commandments of the LORD, and they did not do so. Whenever the LORD raised up judges for them, the LORD was with the judge, and he saved them from the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge. For the LORD was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who afflicted and oppressed them. But whenever the judge died, they turned back and were more corrupt than their fathers, going after other gods, serving them and bowing down to them. They did not drop any of their practices or their stubborn ways. - Judges 2:11-29 (ESV)

     Over the years, not much has changed. The first chapter of Romans could apply today as much as it did in the time of Judges, and the first century. In Romans 1:28-30 we read People did not think it was important to have a true knowledge of God. So God left them and allowed them to have their own worthless thinking and to do things they should not do. They are filled with every kind of sin, evil, selfishness, and hatred. They are full of jealousy, murder, fighting, lying, and thinking the worst about each other. They gossip and say evil things about each other. They hate God. They are rude and conceited and brag about themselves. They invent ways of doing evil. They do not obey their parents. (NCV)

     Add to this Romans 13:2 Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. (NIV) and 1 Samuel 15:23 Rebellion is as bad as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you from being king." (NLT)

     Here's Something To Ponder

• In what ways have you rebelled against God?
• In what ways do you strive to obey God?