Responding to Rebellion
A History of Christ and His Church
September 27, 2026
Elder Jeff Forrey
When Israel plotted to stone Moses and Aaron, Moses' intercession led God to pardon their rebellion—revealing God's glory in forgiving sin while still enacting disciplined consequences—and this merciful yet just pattern is embodied in Christ and remembered in the Lord's Supper.
Summary
The sermon reflects on Israel's near-execution for rebellion and Moses' intercession, through which God mercifully revoked their immediate death sentence; this act displays God's glory in forgiveness even as He preserves covenant faithfulness by allowing consequences for sin. The tension between pardon and discipline shows God's holy justice and hard providence in the wilderness, a pattern that points forward to Christ's ongoing work of forgiveness. The Lord's Supper is presented as a visible reminder of that forgiveness, calling believers to partake by faith and rely on the Spirit to apply grace in daily life.
Key Points
- Israel plotted to stone Moses and Aaron, but Moses interceded and God withheld the immediate death sentence.
- God's glory is revealed both in pardoning rebellion and in administering discipline—He forgives without removing all consequences.
- The preserved covenant relationship demonstrates merciful faithfulness alongside hard providence for those coming of age in the desert.
- This episode visibly foreshadows Christ's work of continual forgiveness for believers.
- The Lord's Supper (bread and cup) serves as a tangible reminder to receive that forgiveness by faith and to ask the Spirit to use it in our lives.
- Prayerful response: acknowledge broken covenant, receive pardon, and seek faith to eat and drink worthily by the Spirit.
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