Gen. 6:22 π Rom. 11:34
The people of Hebrews in the eleventh chapter are used by contemporary “faith people” as an example of walking in faith. That is, doing whatever they wish or whatever they desire, and doing it by faith; but that is not what Hebrews 11 is describing.
These people were prepared and prompted by God’s preordained directions so they could fulfill His will. In these instances these people wee given instructions by God how to perform His will.
When David consulted with God, God told him whether to flee or fight, and when David failed to get God’s counsel he was defeated. The same was true with Joshua; and also the Israelites who failed to consult the Lord, and they were thoroughly defeated by the Amalekites and the Canaanites.
Moses, as leader of the Israelites, didn’t move until the cloud or pillar of fire moved, and when rebellion broke out he consulted God before making a move. The necessity of being obedient to God’s counsel was evidenced in the episode of whether to talk to the rock or strike it to bring forth water in the wilderness.
Noah was instructed by God to build the ark and God gave him the dimensions. The Scripture describes Noah’s obedience: “Thus did Noah according to all God commanded him, so did he.” ( Gen. 6:22; top )
Abraham was told by God to move out of Ur of Chaldeus; it wasn’t Abraham’s idea. The crossing of the Red Sea and the marching around the walls of Jericho weren’t some of man’s ideas; explicit details for each event came directly from God.
The carnal nature even in present-day Christian people resents very, very often the seeking of something other than their own desires and will, and dislikes being obedient to the counsel of God, because they claim to have the gift of wisdom operating in them.
The pattern of the Scriptures from the very beginning is one of being obedient to God’s counsel, and Jesus, the Son of God, gave us an up-to-date, exemplary of only doing what the Father asked Him to do; only then are the purposes of God really fulfilled.
“For who has known the mind of the Lord or who has been His counselor?” ( Rom. 11:34; top )
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