April 15, 2008 6:44 AM
Sam wrote:
Verse 22 (But Samuel replied: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.) is what this chapter is all about. Although Saul thought (or used the excuse) that he was doing a good thing by saving Agag and the sheep and cattle so he could sacrifice the animals to God, he was wrong. Today, as we think about what we are doing, we need to think of this verse. To obey God is a heck of a lot more important than doing things in His name. For example: Don't sin. We we do not sin, we are obeying God. But, because we are weak, we disobey God. Then, we go to Him for forgiveness. And because He is what He is, He does forgive us, but I imagine it pains Him slightly to do so everytime. It is more important to not sin, than to sin and then ask for forgiveness. Am in Virginia (near D.C.) today and tomorrow...should be back tomorrow night. Reply to this
April 15, 2008 7:32 AM
rik wrote:
Saul mentions to Samuel that he did what 'your' God wanted, not our God, not my God, but your God. How committed was he to God? God was grieved that he made Saul King. Did He make a mistake? God does not make mistakes. I think He was grieved because He knew His people would suffer, but He knew it was for the ultimate Goal. David would be raised up because of saul. Saul was disobedient to God, not overtly, but more subtly. I see this type of disobedience in my children. I tell them you want a specific thing done and they add there own spin onto my instructions. I find if I am more specific as to why I need it done a certain way they are more apt to do it my way. We are not any different with God. If we get more detailed instructions on what Gods plan for us is (read and pray more) we are more apt to do it His way. Reply to this
April 15, 2008 8:59 AM
Rich wrote:
Rik - I have been going to Northview for the past 2 weeks. I really like what is going on there. Last week we stayed after church for the monthly potluck lunch. Met several people and had good discussions about faith and grace. The children's groups are strong and there is much love and happiness in the church. I plan to start getting more involved with men's groups. Just a suggestion. Reply to this
April 15, 2008 8:57 AM
Rich wrote:
Vs 12 struck me: "Early in the morning Samuel got up and went to meet Saul, but he was told, "Saul has gone to Carmel. There he has set up a monument in his own honor and has turned and gone on down to Gilgal."
Saul was proud of his accomplishment and gave glory to himself not to God. The "glory" he gave to God was more of an afterthought as opposed to seeing that the defeat of the Amalekites was God's doing. I think there is much more going on in this and the last chapter than is merely described. The issue, as both of you have said, is Saul's heart. He did some of the right things (with emphasis on SOME), but his heart was not where it needed to be. Loving God with all of your heart, mind, soul and spirit is much harder than obeying some rules and regulations. God wants our devotion to him. I believe that if Saul's heart was right, God would have forgiven his disobedience to the letter. As I first read this chapter I thought that perhaps Saul did not understand that he was to kill everything, including sheep and cattle. And did he not have good intentions by wanting to sacrafice the best to God. In and of itself, I see no real problem here. But God looks at hearts, not actions. God wants us to obey him, but not because we will get punished if we don't obey. God wants us to obey him because we love him, because we are grateful for what he has done for us. I believe this is Saul's problem - that he did not have a heart devoted to God; that he took personal glory instead of giving glory to God. Being KING was more important to Saul than being a man of God.
We face this same challenge today. We must be men of God, devoted to loving God and appreciating God and fight the temptation to do just for the sake of doing. As we are told by Paul, there is no way to be justified by doing enough good things to earn our way to heaven. It is just not possible. The scale has infinite weight on the sin side. No amount of goods works will ever overcome. Reply to this
Verse 22 (But Samuel replied: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.) is what this chapter is all about. Although Saul thought (or used the excuse) that he was doing a good thing by saving Agag and the sheep and cattle so he could sacrifice the animals to God, he was wrong. Today, as we think about what we are doing, we need to think of this verse. To obey God is a heck of a lot more important than doing things in His name. For example: Don't sin. We we do not sin, we are obeying God. But, because we are weak, we disobey God. Then, we go to Him for forgiveness. And because He is what He is, He does forgive us, but I imagine it pains Him slightly to do so everytime. It is more important to not sin, than to sin and then ask for forgiveness.
Am in Virginia (near D.C.) today and tomorrow...should be back tomorrow night.
Reply to this
Saul mentions to Samuel that he did what 'your' God wanted, not our God, not my God, but your God. How committed was he to God? God was grieved that he made Saul King. Did He make a mistake? God does not make mistakes. I think He was grieved because He knew His people would suffer, but He knew it was for the ultimate Goal. David would be raised up because of saul.
Saul was disobedient to God, not overtly, but more subtly. I see this type of disobedience in my children. I tell them you want a specific thing done and they add there own spin onto my instructions. I find if I am more specific as to why I need it done a certain way they are more apt to do it my way. We are not any different with God. If we get more detailed instructions on what Gods plan for us is (read and pray more) we are more apt to do it His way.
Reply to this
Rik - I have been going to Northview for the past 2 weeks. I really like what is going on there. Last week we stayed after church for the monthly potluck lunch. Met several people and had good discussions about faith and grace. The children's groups are strong and there is much love and happiness in the church. I plan to start getting more involved with men's groups. Just a suggestion.
Reply to this
Vs 12 struck me: "Early in the morning Samuel got up and went to meet Saul, but he was told, "Saul has gone to Carmel. There he has set up a monument in his own honor and has turned and gone on down to Gilgal."
Saul was proud of his accomplishment and gave glory to himself not to God. The "glory" he gave to God was more of an afterthought as opposed to seeing that the defeat of the Amalekites was God's doing. I think there is much more going on in this and the last chapter than is merely described. The issue, as both of you have said, is Saul's heart. He did some of the right things (with emphasis on SOME), but his heart was not where it needed to be. Loving God with all of your heart, mind, soul and spirit is much harder than obeying some rules and regulations. God wants our devotion to him. I believe that if Saul's heart was right, God would have forgiven his disobedience to the letter. As I first read this chapter I thought that perhaps Saul did not understand that he was to kill everything, including sheep and cattle. And did he not have good intentions by wanting to sacrafice the best to God. In and of itself, I see no real problem here. But God looks at hearts, not actions. God wants us to obey him, but not because we will get punished if we don't obey. God wants us to obey him because we love him, because we are grateful for what he has done for us. I believe this is Saul's problem - that he did not have a heart devoted to God; that he took personal glory instead of giving glory to God. Being KING was more important to Saul than being a man of God.
We face this same challenge today. We must be men of God, devoted to loving God and appreciating God and fight the temptation to do just for the sake of doing. As we are told by Paul, there is no way to be justified by doing enough good things to earn our way to heaven. It is just not possible. The scale has infinite weight on the sin side. No amount of goods works will ever overcome.
Reply to this