Obedience in the Bible: Love, Faith, and Responsibility
Misunderstanding Obedience
Obedience is often considered one of the least understood concepts within the bible. In many cases, obedience has been portrayed as nothing more than control, or punishment, yet in reality, obedience is based on love, faith, and responsibility.
When viewed in its biblical context, obedience is not the blind submission that some believe it to be. Rather, obedience is a conscious decision to respond to the covenant relationship between God (the Most High) and His people.
Obedience and Covenant
Biblically, obedience is never isolated. Rather, obedience is always associated with covenant. The laws that were given to the children of Israel were not arbitrary moral guidelines, but rather the terms of the covenant that had been established. As such, the Most High had chosen a people, redeemed them, and now expected them to live according to the laws that He had established.
Therefore, obedience was not the prerequisite for being chosen, but rather, obedience was the response to having been chosen. Understanding the difference between these two points is crucial. The children of Israel did not obey in an attempt to prove themselves worthy of God's love; instead, they obeyed because they were in a loving relationship with Him.
When obedience is separated from covenant, obedience becomes a burden, rather than a source of purpose.
Action Reveals Love
According to scripture, love is not only an emotional feeling; rather, love is revealed through actions. Therefore, obedience is a demonstration of love. The children of Israel were able to demonstrate their love for the Most High by keeping His commands.
This is why the Bible so frequently associates obedience and love. If a person loved the Most High, they would listen to Him, trust in Him, and follow His commands. On the other hand, if a person disobeyed God, it represented relational harm.
Obedience Protected the Relationship Between God and Israel
Obedience served to protect the relationship that existed between God and the children of Israel.
Active Faith, Not Passive
Biblical faith is not a passive form of believing; rather, it is an active form of trusting. Obedience is the result of faith in motion. When the children of Israel obeyed, they demonstrated that they believed that the Most High knew what was best for them as a nation.
If faith is not accompanied by obedience, then faith remains in the realm of abstraction; it is a concept that is verbalized, but it is not expressed in the manner of living. True biblical faith requires movement, sacrifice, and self-discipline. Regardless of whether the children of Israel were following the directions of God in the wilderness, or following the laws of God in the Promised Land, obedience was the proof that their faith was genuine.
This understanding challenges modern conceptions that believing in Jesus Christ is all that is needed.
Responsibility Comes with Privilege
Because the children of Israel were under covenant, they were accountable to a higher standard. Their privilege as being chosen by God came with a corresponding sense of responsibility. Obeying God was how the children of Israel modeled justice, order, and holiness to the rest of the world.
When the children of Israel disobeyed, there were consequences. However, the consequences were not punitive, nor were they motivated by a lack of mercy on God's part; rather, the consequences were corrective. Accountability was the reason for the discipline.
By viewing discipline as corrective, and not vindictive, it provides a framework for understanding judgment in a non-cruel light.
Consequences of Disobedience
There is no hesitation in scripture to describe the costs of disobedience. Losing the land, being exiled, and suffering were all results of covenant violations. All of these outcomes were forewarned prior to their occurrence.
For Black Israelites who were taken from North East Africa and have been scattered across the globe, these consequences are not hypothetical; they are historical realities. A nation's disobedience resulted in a nation's judgment.
However, even in judgment, obedience was still the path to restoration.
Restoration through Obedience
Throughout scripture, restoration can begin with a return to obedience. Repentance is not merely expressing regret; repentance is a change in direction. Returning to obedience indicates a desire to turn around.
Returning to obedience does not occur overnight, especially when generations have been disconnected from knowledge of covenant. Returning to obedience will require education, correction, and patience.
God honors the sincere efforts of those attempting to return to obedience, even when their understanding of covenant is limited.
Obedience Does Not Mean Oppression
One of the largest misconceptions surrounding obedience is that it restricts freedom. Biblically, obedience provided structure, protection, and identity. Laws maintained social cohesion, preserved families, and upheld justice.
It was foreign systems that replaced covenant obedience that truly restricted identity, while demanding submission. Covenant obedience was never intended to enslave. Covenant obedience was intended to provide boundaries and distinguish between right and wrong.
Obedience Preserves Life
Obedience was never intended to destroy life; rather, it was intended to preserve life.
United in Love, Faith, and Responsibility
Biblical obedience is comprised of three essential elements: love, faith, and responsibility. Remove any of these components and the entire picture collapses. Obedience without love is oppressive. Faith without obedience is unproductive. Responsibility without covenant is abusive.
Therefore, when viewed correctly, obedience is not restrictive; obedience is alignment. And, it is in alignment that restoration begins.
Judith Asher, Author of The True Hebrews Book series