And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed. 1Sam 15:15
20 And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. 21 But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal. 1Sam 15:20-21
How pitiful to see a man caught in his disobedience. It would be comical if it weren't so deadly serious in its consequences. And if it didn't strike so close to home: on our own door step!
Samuel has made Saul aware of his lack of obedience. But Saul presses on. Of course he and the people spared the best of the animals. Why waste such a wonderful offering for the LORD! All these good, healthy animals. Surely, he tried to persuade Samuel, the LORD would be pleased with such a great offering! Yes, I spared Agag, but we destroyed all the rest of the nation of Amalek. That has to count as a great achievement! Surely the LORD will see the intent of our hearts!
The saddest part of this encounter is that Saul probably did believe what he said. He actually thought that he had done what the LORD wanted. No wonder the LORD warns us in Jeremiah 17:9 that the heart is deceitful above all things! Moses warned Israel not to do that which is right in their own eyes (Deu 12:8). It was the bad days of the book of judges when men trusted their own judgment (Judges 17:6; 21:25). The fool thinks his way is right; it is the wise man that listens to good counsel (Pro 12:15). And by nature all men are prone to think that their way is right, while the LORD judges their hearts (Pro 21:2).
Our hearts, by nature, are foolish. If a perfect man (Adam) could sin rebelliously and foolishly against the LORD, how quickly will we fall. Get it straight; your and my deviations from God's command is NOT a better idea! It is suicidal madness! We are NOT smarter or more holy than the Most High.
Brethren, the ONLY safe way is to follow the LORD's instructions exactly! DO NOT THINK! OBEY!!!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear? 1Sam 15:14
How obedient are you to every thing which the LORD has shown you from Scripture?
Ask that of the average Christian and you will receive a hostile response. Some because they don't believe that the sugar daddy they call "god" would require any obedience of his children. Others because they are insulted that you would call their integrity into question. Then some will answer with a smile and a hearty "Amen!" but they are frauds. Saul was just such a man.
Saul was given a command by God through Samuel. He was to destroy the nation of the Amalites for their sin in attacking Israel when they were traveling to the land of Canaan to possess it (1Sam 15:1-3). Every man, woman, child, and domestic animal in the nation was to be destroyed.
Saul gathered the people, warned the Kenites (relatives of Moses' step father who came with Israel) and took the city (15:4-7). Saul destroyed all the citizens, but kept Agag, the king, alive (vs. 8-9a). Then he and the people destroyed all of the sick, deformed and old among the livestock but kept the rest, the good stuff, alive (vs. 9b). The LORD informed Samuel, who liked Saul, of his disobedience (vs. 10-11a). It grieved Samuel because he knew that the LORD was finished with Saul and preparing his replacement as king (vs. 11b, 23b).
When Saul met Samuel, he greeted him with a blessing and professed his great obedience to the LORD's command (vs. 13). And many will do just the same. They will profess how much they love Jesus and how good it is to be in spiritual communion with His holy saints! But actions are what count.
How is it with you, brother, sister? Are there sheep bleating in your life? Have you set aside everything that the LORD has commanded to be out of your life? Just as with Saul, it does not matter how many things you have cast out. If you are holding on to just one item which the LORD has said to forsake, you have a big, smelly ox standing in your living room, going "Moooo".
How obedient are you to every thing which the LORD has shown you from Scripture?
Ask that of the average Christian and you will receive a hostile response. Some because they don't believe that the sugar daddy they call "god" would require any obedience of his children. Others because they are insulted that you would call their integrity into question. Then some will answer with a smile and a hearty "Amen!" but they are frauds. Saul was just such a man.
Saul was given a command by God through Samuel. He was to destroy the nation of the Amalites for their sin in attacking Israel when they were traveling to the land of Canaan to possess it (1Sam 15:1-3). Every man, woman, child, and domestic animal in the nation was to be destroyed.
Saul gathered the people, warned the Kenites (relatives of Moses' step father who came with Israel) and took the city (15:4-7). Saul destroyed all the citizens, but kept Agag, the king, alive (vs. 8-9a). Then he and the people destroyed all of the sick, deformed and old among the livestock but kept the rest, the good stuff, alive (vs. 9b). The LORD informed Samuel, who liked Saul, of his disobedience (vs. 10-11a). It grieved Samuel because he knew that the LORD was finished with Saul and preparing his replacement as king (vs. 11b, 23b).
When Saul met Samuel, he greeted him with a blessing and professed his great obedience to the LORD's command (vs. 13). And many will do just the same. They will profess how much they love Jesus and how good it is to be in spiritual communion with His holy saints! But actions are what count.
How is it with you, brother, sister? Are there sheep bleating in your life? Have you set aside everything that the LORD has commanded to be out of your life? Just as with Saul, it does not matter how many things you have cast out. If you are holding on to just one item which the LORD has said to forsake, you have a big, smelly ox standing in your living room, going "Moooo".
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