In 1 Samuel 13, we find the story of King Saul’s downfall. Did you know that partial obedience to Yahweh/God is disobedience? As Israel’s first king, Saul had abundant opportunities to serve and glorify Yahweh. Through Samuel, Yahweh had given Saul specific instructions regarding the Amalekites: kill everyone and all the cattle, sheep, camels, and donkeys. Eradicate any sign of those evil people. The victory was astonishing, yet Saul chose to allow the best of the animals and the Amalekite king, Agag, to survive. Saul thought that what he was doing was obedience. It was not! In 1Samuel 15:10-11, we find another of those sad verses with Yahweh regretting that He had made Saul king, and that Saul had turned away from strict, absolute obedience to God. When Samuel confronted Saul about his presumptuous sin, he asked, “...Why didn’t you obey the Lord?” (v. 19). Notice Saul’s answer in verse twenty – “But I did obey!” Saul saw his good works as his fulfillment of God’s will. But when Yahweh God revealed Himself to Saul through Samuel, it was to remind him that absolute obedience is always better than sacrifice and to hear and receive God’s word, especially when facing uncertainty and ungodly cultural influences. Obedience is only obedience when it is willful, personal, and absolute. If obedience is coerced, fear-driven, partial, or even delayed, it is disobedience. Through confession and repentance our relationship with Yahweh is restored. But even when we are forgiven and cleansed, there might still be consequences in this life. Read chapter fifteen again and jot down a few notes in your journal. Use these questions as practical application.
How did Saul sin against God? Can you “cut corners” and still be obedient to Yahweh? Does confession and repentance guarantee escape from consequences of sin? When God speaks through His word or His Spirit, what should our response be? What was the earthly consequence of Saul’s sin?
