Title: The Cost of Disobedience — A Devotional Reflection.

My son, keep your father’s command and do not forsake your mother’s teaching… When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you. Proverbs 6: 20-22

Illustration: In a quiet village nestled between rolling hills and whispering trees lived a boy named Tobi. Bright-eyed and curious, Tobi was known for his quick wit and boundless energy. His parents, devout and loving, raised him with care, teaching him the ways of the Lord and the wisdom of obedience. “Honor your father and your mother,” his mother would often remind him, quoting from Exodus 20:12, “so that your days may be long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.”

But as Tobi grew older, his curiosity began to outpace his obedience. One day, his father warned him not to wander into the dense forest beyond the village. “It is not safe,” he said firmly. “There are wild animals, and the paths are easy to lose.” Tobi nodded, but his heart burned with the thrill of the unknown.

The very next afternoon, while his parents were away at the market, Tobi slipped away. The forest was everything he imagined—lush, mysterious, and alive with sounds. He wandered deeper, chasing butterflies and marveling at the towering trees. But soon, the sun dipped low, and the shadows grew long. The path home vanished behind him. Panic set in.

Hours passed. Tobi stumbled, scratched, and frightened, until a search party found him curled beneath a tree, shivering. His parents wept with relief, but their hearts were heavy. Tobi had disobeyed, and though he was safe, the consequences were real—fear, danger, and broken trust.

Tobi’s story echoes the ancient tale of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. God gave them one command: “You must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil” (Genesis 2:17). But they disobeyed, lured by curiosity and the serpent’s deceit. The result? Separation from God, pain, and toil. Disobedience, even when it seems small, carries weighty consequences.

Another sobering example is found in the story of Eli’s sons, Hophni and Phinehas. Though they were priests, they treated the Lord’s offerings with contempt and lived in rebellion. Scripture says, “They did not listen to the voice of their father… for it was the will of the Lord to put them to death” (1 Samuel 2:25). Their disobedience not only led to their downfall but brought judgment upon their family.

Tobi learned that day that love and obedience go hand in hand. His parents’ rules were not to stifle him but to protect him. In the same way, God’s commands are not burdensome—they are life-giving. As Proverbs 6:20-22 reminds us:  

> “My son, keep your father’s command and do not forsake your mother’s teaching… When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you.”

Let Tobi’s story—and the stories of Scripture—remind us that obedience is not weakness, but wisdom. It is the path of safety, blessing, and peace. And when we stray, may we be quick to repent and return to the loving arms of our Father, who disciplines those He loves (Hebrews 12:6).

Reflection:  

Is there an area in your life where you’ve been resisting God’s instruction or the wise counsel of those He’s placed over you? What might obedience look like today?

©Dr.Joel Olanrewaju, gbemide09@gmail.com. Please share your thoughts with me here and feel free to share this devotional with your contacts especially your children. 

---