Consequence of Disobedience
By Don Ruhl
Israel followed idols. Therefore, the Lord sent a prophet to Israel, reminding them that the Lord had delivered Israel from Egypt and from the people of Canaan who oppressed Israel (Jdg 6.8, 9). The prophet also spoke for the Lord, saying, “Also I said to you, ‘I am the LORD your God; do not fear the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell.’ But you have not obeyed My voice’” (Jdg 6.10).
That explained why the Midianites oppressed them at the time.
How often do nations today start out fearing the Lord, but later turn from Him and they blame their problems on various things, except for their departure from the Lord?
Not Everyone Accepts the Word in the Same Way
By Don Ruhl
When you teach people something you believe passionately, that does not mean others will receive it the same as you do.
Prepare yourself for all kinds of responses, and realize that it is not you who brings on these varied responses, but the word of God.
Jesus illustrated this by the Parable of the Sower. A sower sowed seed on four different soils: Hard soil that the seed could not penetrate and the birds ate the seed, rocky soil that allowed some growth, thorny soil that competed against the seed for water and nutrients, and good ground that proved productive (Luke 8.5–8).
First, what kind of soil are you?
Second, do not expect everyone to be like you.