Obedience

I Sam. 15:22

Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.

Saul was instructed to go and destroy the Amalekites, all the men, women, children, and animals. He organized the people, and they went to take out this evil nation. But Saul and the people spared king Agag and the best of the sheep, oxen, fattened calves, lambs, and all that was good. However, all that was despised and worthless they destroyed. Where was the obedience in this? Saul claimed to have obeyed what the Lord commanded.  How did he view this as obedience? Was he deceived by his own heart, or was rebellion so ingrained that he couldn't see it?

To expose the heart of the matter, Samuel replied, What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears and the lowing of the oxen that I hear? But Saul had a ready answer explaining that he and the people kept these things to offer sacrifices to the Lord. Samuel simply stated that God does not delight in man-made sacrifices as much as He does in obedience. In fact, rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Disobedience can never be rationalized as something good, it is always disobedience and rebellion! God does not desire my interpretation of the matter or what I think might be a better course of action, He only and always wants obedience to His word!

What was the consequence for Saul's rebellious heart and actions? He was rejected from being king of Israel. Even though Saul admitted his sin to Samuel and begged to worship the Lord, It did not change the outcome. His sin had set the course of his life. Finally, Samuel had to do what Saul should have done. He cut Agag in many pieces as God had commanded.  Even though Samuel and Saul parted ways after this incident until the day of his death, Samuel and the Lord were both grieved over Saul. How tragic and yet how understandable! Man loves to improvise on God's word, to reinterpret, to make it culturally acceptable. Yet, none of those responses will hold water with God. In God's eyes, obedience to His word is the only response!!

Father,

Give me Your grace and strength to obey Your words. Reveal to me when I try and put my own spin on what You desire in my life.

In Jesus name,

Amen