Disobedience is as guilty as guessing

Have you ever been disobedient? You certainly were. But did you think that disobedience, in any form, is as serious as guessing and worshiping idols? Some people choose to be rebellious and disobedient, precisely because they do not understand the seriousness of this manifestation. I urge you now to read this article to the end and meditate together on God’s Word.

The Bible tells us a story from the life of Samuel and King Saul, from which we can learn a very important lesson. Let’s look at this case together.

“Then Samuel said to Saul, “The Lord sent me to anoint you as king over His people, over Israel; now therefore, listen to the words of the Lord. This is what the Lord of armies says: ‘I will punish Amalek for what he did to Israel, in that he obstructed him on the way while he was coming up from Egypt.  Now go and strike Amalek and completely destroy everything that he has,..” ( 1 Samuel 15:1-3a NASB) 

Who was Samuel? God’s prophet in Israel. He anointed Saul as king. God put him in this position and now he is sending the Word of God to the people and the king. Look at what Saul did.

“And Saul came to the city of Amalek and set an ambush in the wadi. He captured Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and completely destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.  But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep, the oxen, the more valuable animals, the lambs, and everything that was good, and were unwilling to destroy them completely; but everything despicable and weak, that they completely destroyed.”  (1 Samuel 15:5,8-9) 

God told him through Samuel to “utterly destroy all things.” What did Saul do? He went, he destroyed, but only what he wanted –  what was stupid and ignored. At first glance, it would seem that he went to hear about God and His prophet, but I deliberately pointed out the words that “he did not want to destroy”.  Saul did not want to be fully obedient and God did not like such “obedience.” 

What a deception and hypocrisy in what Saul does. The Lord grieved over his conduct, but he showed signs of victory. The Lord says, “Saul does not keep my words,” but Saul boasts and says, “I have kept the word of the Lord.” Why is that so? Because, my dear, this is how disobedience and rebellion are manifested. The disobedient and rebellious man has the strongest and most terrible neck that he does not see himself guilty; on the contrary, he sees himself as one who fulfills the Word of God. My dear, it is very important to stop and meditate on our way of life. It is very easy to slip and be a fierce Saul in your disobedience. It is very easy to show signs of victory and believe that God is on your side, when in fact God has rejected you, because you only do what you think is right and do not measure good by His words. You can do services, evangelism, camps, praise, and worship, but God looks at you and all He sees is the disobedience that fills your heart… How awful it must be.

I met someone who beat his wife for over 10 years. After beating his wife, he would go to a city and gather many children, play with them as children, then return home and say with contempt to his wife, “If God had not been with me, I would not have been able to gather so many children… ”. What a deception! God had nothing to do with all his work of extinguishing his rebukes of conscience. But you see, he was sure his actions were good and right. Haven’t you become like that? To think that if you are organizing a camp, even with a Bible study, to believe that God is already obliged to turn a blind eye to disobedience and rebellion in your heart? Make no mistake, God is not a man who does not see our heart and our motivations. Sooner or later the “sheep howling” and the “roaring of the oxen” of your disobedience will reach the ears of the Lord and the ears of those whom God has placed upon you (1 Samuel 15:14). When Samuel asked Saul what was wrong with the howling and howling he heard them…

“Saul said, “They have brought them from the Amalekites, for the people spared the best of the sheep and oxen to sacrifice to the Lord your God; but the rest we have completely destroyed.” (1 Samuel 15:15)

A disobedient and rebellious man is not able to admit his guilt. He will fight hard to find the “scapegoat” through the fault of others, but not in his attitude. The people are to blame, but not me. It is shocking that Saul no longer says “my God” or at least “our God,” but says to Samuel “your God.” The truth is that when you are rebellious and disobedient deep in your heart, you know that you have turned away from God. You know that God is not your God in case of your disobedience, but pride and disobedience in your heart do not allow you to recognize . “Why didn’t you listen to the voice of the Lord?” Samuel asks, and Saul says, “I have listened to the voice of Yahweh, and I have walked in the way which Yahweh has sent me. And I brought in Agag the king of the Amalekites, and utterly destroyed all the souls that were therein; but the people took of the flocks, even of the prey, and of the spoil of the spoil, unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal. ”(1 Samuel 15: 20-21 NASB) 

When man does not want to repent of his disobedience, he tries to give a religious appearance to things – “to sacrifice to the Lord.” And God answers:

“Samuel said,

“Does the Lord have as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices

As in obeying the voice of the Lord?

Behold, to obey is better than a sacrifice,

And to pay attention is better than the fat of rams.

For rebellion is as reprehensible as the sin of divination,

And insubordination is as reprehensible as false religion and idolatry.

Since you have rejected the word of the Lord,

He has also rejected you from being king.” (1 Samuel 15:22-23 NASB)

It sounds very harsh but that’s the truth. These are not my words but the Lord’s. Do you realize that whenever you choose to be disobedient, you are just as guilty as the fortune teller? And God says that opposition is as guilty as idolatry. Disobedience goes hand in hand with opposition.

What do you choose to do now? Do you continue to disobey or repent? Saul, after being confronted, said that he was sorry and that he had sinned, but he was interested in Samuel coming with him in front of the people and not being despised in front of the people. So his repentance was formal not wholeheartedly, for the sake of the people and not for the sake of God, so the Lord said to him:

“But Samuel said to Saul, “I will not return with you; for you have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you from being king over Israel.” Then Samuel turned to go, but Saul grasped the edge of his robe, and it tore off. “ (1 Samuel 15:26-27)

How would you feel if you heard such a message from God? But my dear ones, let us not be mistaken, for God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and in Him there is neither change nor shadow of movement. His message is the same for all who willingly choose to be disobedient. He says, “He who is the strength of Israel does not lie.” Why do you think it will be different for you? Don’t be fooled.

In conclusion, I want to meditate on these words, which once again repeat everything I said above:

“As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.” (1 Chronicles 28:9 NASB)

Translated by Aliona Soltan