When Obedience Means Death

by Brent Goodge

Ihate snakes. I know they play an important role, but I hate snakes. The very first promise in the Bible was the promise of salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus on Calvary, that He would crush the serpent’s head (Genesis 3:15).

For the most part, America’s pit vipers aren’t as deadly as some other snakes around the world. When Paul was bitten by a viper on Malta, the natives expected him to die immediately (Acts 28:3-6). Thankfully, venomous bite victims here usually survive.

Moses spent forty years as Egypt’s crowned prince. Then, through a rash act, he became an alien shepherd. One day, trying to find water and pasture in the barren land, Moses happened to see a bush on fire. This probably wasn’t uncommon, but desert shrubs should burn rapidly, disappearing in a moment. This bush was not burning up (Exodus 3:2). God was calling Moses to lead Israel out of Egypt. Moses began to make excuses. Why would anyone believe he was called of God?

God told Moses to throw down his rod. It became a snake. This was likely a desert viper similar to the snake that bit Paul. Being one of the best-educated men on earth at the time, Moses did the smart thing. He ran away (Exodus 4:3). But God told Moses to stop, turn around, and pick the snake up by the tail. I have never held a venomous snake. I never plan to. But I understand that to pick one up, you must grab it just behind the head.

For Moses to obey God’s command meant certain death. How easy would it have been for Moses to explain to God why He had a really bad idea? That’s what Ananias did when God called him to visit Saul after the road to Damascus (Acts 9:10-16). How much more would it have felt like obedience had Moses bravely gone back to the snake and picked it up from behind its head? That kind of thinking led Cain to bring a plant-based sacrifice and then kill his brother (Genesis 4:3). How many Christians through the ages have excused themselves from a known duty to God with the reasoning, “I can’t possibly serve God if I’m dead?”

Jesus said that to trust in human reasoning over God’s commands is to worship Him in vain (Matthew 15:9). As Christians, we are called to “trust in the Lord with all our heart, leaning not to our own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5).

Revelation tells us a day is coming when there will be only two groups. One group will have the faith of Jesus and keep His commandments (Revelation 14:12). The other group will receive the mark of the beast and sentence the first group to death (Revelation 13:15, 16).

When following God’s commandments will earn the death penalty, will we be faithful to His Word? Or will we reason that we can’t serve God if we’re dead? “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15).

About The Author Brent Goodge lives in Whitfield County and prays that he will always be faithful to follow the Bible through the power of Jesus Christ.