1st Samuel 15:1Samuel also said unto Saul, The Lord sent me to anoint thee to be king over his people, over Israel: now therefore hearken thou unto the voice of the words of the Lord. 2 Thus saith the Lord of hosts, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way, when he came up from Egypt. 3 Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass. 9 But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly.
This passage of scripture contains extremely important information, regarding our relationship with God, and also our understanding of His will. The issue of implicit obedience rises immediately to the surface, as Saul is given specific commands coming from The Lord, for him to utterly destroy the Amalekites together with all of their belongings, since they themselves, and everything they owned was resting under a heavy curse. To the secular surface reader, the mandate thus given may seem to be cruel and heartless, since it included infants and all dumb animals, a scenario which would be certain to arouse the indignation of animal rights activists, and the department of children and families.
But the commands of God transcend whatever feelings or personal opinions we may have, and it is often the case that obedience to the word of God will put us at loggerheads with those who think they know best. Implicit obedience to God's every word is the only sure path to safety, for whenever we attempt to modify, adjust, or amend His word, then we are certain to incur His displeasure, and in the case of Saul, it was the triggering mechanism for his removal from the throne of Israel. Blinded by feelings and inundated with emotions, and filled with pride of display, Saul chose to "Improvise" on God's commands, and thus spared Agag, and the very best of the sheep and oxen, with the intention that the livestock could be used for sacred sacrifices.
But his so-called good reason for disobedience, ultimately put him at odds with God, and for this reason, the prophet Samuel was sent with a startling message of reproof, which included his rejection by God from him being king. This chapter in the life of Saul, and the various reasons and excuses he gave for his rebellion against the word of God, are written down for our admonition and instruction,upon whom the ends of the world are come. Furthermore, it is not necessary for us to even understand the reasons for God's commands, in order to obey, for if we were to wait until reasonable explanations are given, we will never to be able to have a working relationship with God. Let's read:
1st Samuel 15:10Then came the word of the Lord unto Samuel, saying, 11 It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. 13 And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the Lord: I have performed the commandment of the Lord. 14 And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear? 22 And Samuel said, Hath 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 hearken than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
In our day there is a general tendency to make the laws of God subjective, meaning that we only obey when we understand their import, or only when it is convenient to do so. And it is because of the widespread philosophy of subjective obedience, why many televangelists and pastors have presumed to tamper with the scriptures, thus bringing in diabolical errors and teachings which prevent the multitudes from rendering to God His due. But whenever we too succumb to popular opinion, or whenever we allow our feelings and emotions to get in the way of obedience, we are thereby setting our feet in Saul's shoes, and the sentence passed onto him will also be duplicated in our own experience, for God is no respecter of persons, and obedience to His word is all that is accepted, and nothing else.
It is important therefore that we cultivate a disposition to obey God implicitly, whether it be in temporal affairs or in spiritual things, for it is our attitude and consequent actions which will determine whether or not God can use us for His purposes. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which reiterates the importance of obedience, especially in our age of lawlessness, where many have now become a law unto themselves, for God has not changed, and His standards must never be adapted to suit the clamors of the carnal heart. Let's read:
Revelation 22:14Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. 15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study and practice of His every word. God bless!