At the heart of all disobedience is unbelief.
Scripture and Les Feldick reveal that when people refuse to believe God, they give way to disobedience. This was Israel's constant failure, and it remains the root problem for all humanity.
Hebrews 4:2 — Directly states that unbelief kept Israel from entering rest, illustrating the root of disobedience.
The Bible repeatedly emphasizes that unbelief lies at the core of disobedience. In Hebrews 3 and 4, Paul connects Israel's failure to unbelief: "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief" (Heb 3:12). This unbelief was the root of their disobedience at Kadesh Barnea (Heb 3:19). Additionally, Deuteronomy 28 outlines the curses that would come upon Israel if they did not hearken to God's voice, linking disobedience to a heart that does not trust Him.
Les teaches that unbelief is the core issue behind all disobedience. He points to Israel's history as a prime example: their constant controversy with God was that they would not believe Him despite His visible power. This unbelief led to their scattering and downfall. For believers today, Les applies this personally: "Every time a sin besets us, what's the problem? A lack of faith" (Clip 2). He also emphasizes that at judgment, people are condemned not for every sin but for their unbelief (Clip 7).
Les uses Israel's experience in the wilderness and at Kadesh Barnea to show that unbelief was the root cause. They saw God's miracles yet refused to believe He could give them the land. As a result, they were kept from His rest (Clips 3, 6). He also notes that God was grieved with that generation because "they do always err in their heart"—a heart of unbelief (Clip 6).
Les emphasizes that faith is the answer. When we believe God's Word, we are less likely to let sin befall us. He says, "Because if we know what God has said to us, then we're not going to let these things befall us" (Clip 2). Faith is essential to pleasing God, as without faith it is impossible to please Him (Clip 3).
Israel's Suffering from Unbelief
Les cites a rabbi's view that Israel's suffering was due to sin, and connects it to Deuteronomy 28, showing that disobedience brought curses.
Evil Heart of Unbelief
Les stresses that the evil heart is not just gross sins but unbelief—God hates when we do not believe what He says.
Lack of Faith Causes Sin
Les teaches that every sin is tied to lack of faith; Moses' own unbelief kept him from the Promised Land.
No Faith, No Pleasing God
Les points out that Israel's constant controversy was unbelief, and without faith we cannot please God.
Curses for Disobedience
Les highlights Deuteronomy 28's curses for not hearkening to God's voice, linking disobedience and unbelief.
The 3 Parts of the Law & Why They Don't Save You
Deuteronomy is more or less an analysis of what's gone before. But now we find in verse 27 where Israel says to Moses, "...Go thou near, and hear all that the Lord our God shall say, and speak thou unto us all that the Lord our God shall speak unto thee, and we will hear it and..." What? "...do it." We'll act on it.
Israel's Heart of Unbelief
Les uses Hebrews 3 to show that Israel's error was an evil heart of unbelief, not just outward sins.
Unbelief Is Condemnation
Les explains that at the great white throne, people are condemned for unbelief, not their sins alone.
Hebrews 3:12: Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
Paul warns believers against unbelief, showing it is the root of departing from God.
Hebrews 3:19: So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
Summarizes why Israel failed to enter rest—unbelief.
Hebrews 4:2: For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
Shows that hearing God's word without faith leads to disobedience.
Deuteronomy 28:15: But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day, that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:
Links disobedience (not hearkening) to curses, showing the consequence of unbelief.
According to Les Feldick's teaching based on Scripture, yes. He says that every time sin besets us, the problem is lack of faith. Unbelief leads to disobedience because we don't trust God's word.
Israel saw God's power but refused to believe He could give them the Promised Land. This unbelief led to grumbling, rebellion, and ultimately their failure to enter God's rest.
Watch the Teaching: Why Has Israel Suffered So Much? The Bible's Answer