At the command of the LORD. While some may argue that God is a dictator telling us what to do and believe in His Word through the Commandments or parables of Jesus or accounts from Old Testament to New Testament, God has never changed and His ways are right and just...for a very good reason. The Father knows best.
Numbers 9:18 tells us pretty much the same thing: So it was, when the cloud was above the tabernacle a few days: according to the command of the LORD they would remain encamped, and according to the command of the LORD they would journey. And verse 23: At the command of the LORD they remained encamped, and at the command of the LORD they journeyed; they kept the charge of the LORD, at the command of the LORD by the hand of Moses.
Whenever the children of Israel did what was commanded they were well taken care of. Again, God has not changed. When we heed His commands, let Him be our guide, He blesses us. In the same manner, when we pick and choose what in the Bible we want to believe we fall under disobedience. So, I guess anyone who chooses not to believe the Bible in its entirety is being disobedient.
That's not an easy word and can be construed as offensive...and we all fail at perfect obedience...but there were a lot of people who didn't like what Jesus had to say and look where He ended up. It was still all part of God's plan for sinful humanity. While some might disagree with the Bible, they can be forgiven if they turn from those beliefs and turn to God! That's where Jesus came in...He forgave all those who persecuted Him. Praise the Lord!
This is what happened when Israel listened to God: When you go to war in your land against the enemy who oppresses you, then you shall sound an alarm with the trumpets, and you will be remembered before the LORD your God, and you will be saved from your enemies. (Numbers 10:9) He rewards us for our obedience often in ways we do not always recognize.
But here's the other side! Now when the people complained, it displeased the LORD; for the LORD heard it, and His anger was aroused. So the fire of the LORD burned among them, and consumed some in the outskirts of the camp. (Numbers 11:1) Time after time, the LORD relented out of mercy for His children. This doesn't mean if we deliberately live as we desire and assume He will always forgive it will be fine.
Later in Numbers Moses pleaded with God to forgive these ungrateful people for their desire for meat over manna. Long story short, God relented and gave them what they desired...in abundance...so much so some became ill and died because the people had yielded to craving. Our desires are not always God's for our lives. He does know best. It has been said He will turn us over to those desires in time if we continue in disobedience (Romans 1:24).
We are encouraged throughout the Word to follow Him. Moses implored a man to go with them to a land God promised to them. He said this: And it shall be, if you go with us—indeed it shall be—that whatever good the LORD will do to us, the same we will do to you. (Numbers 10:32) Followers of Christ implore others to do the same for the same results, whatever good the LORD will do to us, the same we will do to you. We can all share the goodness of our God together. He has a lot to offer and the giving will not run out. It is why we share the Gospel.
Psalm 31:7-8 - I will be glad and rejoice in Your mercy, for You have considered my trouble; You have known my soul in adversities, and have not shut me up into the hand of the enemy; You have set my feet in a wide place.
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