Reality Of Presumption!

In 1 Samuel 15 we have the account of Saul going out to fight against Amalek. Before the battle Saul was instructed by the LORD through Samuel that he was to devote all that the Amalekites had to destruction. Nothing was to be spared either among man or beast. This was God’s judgment against that nation for having earlier opposed Israel when they came up out of Egypt. (vss.1-3) Though there were other times God allowed His people to take of the spoils of war, nothing was to be saved from the victory over the Amalekites. Unfortunately Saul only partially obeyed. All the people were devoted to destruction by the edge of the sword, but the life of Agag (the king of the Amalekites), as well as the best of the sheep, oxen, fattened calves, the lambs, and all that was good were not completely destroyed. (vs.9)

It appears Saul was proud of himself following the victory because he set up a monument for himself at Carmel. (vs.12) Though he may have been pleased with himself, God was not pleased and Samuel was sent to confront Saul. Upon their meeting, King Saul declared, “I have performed the commandment of the LORD.” (vs.13) When Samuel brought up the sound of the bleating of sheep and the lowing of the oxen in his ears (vs.14) Saul began with one of those notorious “Oh that! Well…” statements that are still heard today when one gets caught with their hand in the proverbial cookie jar. God had given a direct and very specific command, but Saul and the people came up with a “better” idea. Saul explained they had brought all the “best of the sheep and of the oxen to sacrifice to the LORD” (vs.15), but the rest had been devoted to destruction. That was not what God had commanded. Saul had not fully obeyed God. It was presumptive on the part of Saul to do what HE THOUGHT was “better” than God had commanded and yet he apparently anticipated God’s acceptance.

Note a portion of Samuel’s response.
“(22) And Samuel said, ‘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. (23) For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and PRESUMPTION IS AS INIQUITY AND IDOLATRY. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king.’” ( 1 Samuel 15:22-23 ESV)

Note that Samuel paralleled the act of presumption (also translated arrogance and stubbornness) to “iniquity and IDOLATRY.” For Saul to disregard what God had commanded and presume to do what he decided was “better” was like placing himself in the position of God. Samuel declared that obeying God was “better” than the sacrifices Saul had in mind. What Saul should have sacrificed was his OWN THOUGHTS so that he would have properly submitted to the Will of God. Because Saul rejected God’s Word, he himself was rejected by God as king. (vss.22 and 26-28)

When we presume to choose to do something contrary to what God has commanded, it is idolatry because God is not receiving the worship (worthship) that is rightfully His! To decide OUR WILL or the will of another is “better” than God’s is definitely an act of arrogance and stubbornness. To infer -- either by word or by action -- that we can pick and choose which commands of God to obey is to claim that some of them are important while others make no difference. But who says that is so? God or man? Certainly we must take into consideration who particular commands were spoken to in Scripture, the context in which they were given, and also whether they relate to living under the Law given to Moses or the Law of Christ. But to sacrifice God’s Will to take up OUR OWN is idolatry because we have exalted OUR OWN THOUGHTS and desires above His.

Let us guard against following in the error of Saul. If we truly desire to be accepted by God we must be willing to accept His Word. Let us not sacrifice obedience, but rather ourselves to the Lord ( Romans 12:1) by completely surrendering to His Will. Having OUR THOUGHTS transformed and renewed in accordance with His Will brings our life into contact with that which is truly good, acceptable, and perfect. ( Romans 12:2) May His Word and Will be joyfully received.

Have a great day OFFERING GOD WHAT HE DESIRES!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Obedience