A Stiff Neck

Psalm 75:5 Lift not up your horn on high: speak not with a stiff neck.

INTRODUCTORY THOUGHTS

Rebellion is identified in a variety of ways, but the Lord often associates it to someone with a stiff neck. Society should find this concept easily grasped. A stiff neck impedes the head from bowing. Moses directly associated the stiff neck with rebellion when he said, “For I know thy rebellion, and thy stiff neck” (Deuteronomy 31:27). Like Moses, the Lord identified the rebellion of the children of Israel when He stated that they were “a stiffnecked people” (Exodus 32:9). Isaiah likewise attested to this truth by stating that rebellious people had a neck of iron sinew and a brow of brass (Isaiah 48:4). These descriptive terms demonstrate that rebellion is exemplified by an individual who refuses to bow and allow the mind to be changed. He has an unyielding spirit.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

(For children):God told Ezekiel how the children of Israel felt toward Him (Ezekiel 2:3; Ezekiel 3:7). They rebelled against God, His prophets, and even God’s Son. Stephen referred to them as “stiffnecked” (Acts 7:51-60).

(For everyone):Have you ever been described as stubborn, obstinate, stiffnecked, or hardheaded? Did you take it as something for which you should be proud? How should you take such comments when they accurately depict your spirit?

(For everyone):Are you willing to allow the Lord to control and direct your will? Are you willing to submit yourself to God’s plan for your life and future? Are you willing to submit to godly influences as commanded by the Lord?

PRAYER THOUGHTS

Ask the Lord to give you a neck willing to bow to Him.

Ask God to help you see your rebellion as He sees it.

SONG

Draw Me Nearer

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