Sunday, February 28, 2010
Better than Sacrifice
(I Samuel 15:16-23)
Human nature always attempts to buy its way out of trouble. Rather than deal with the root cause of the problem, we think that we can make everything right if we throw enough money at it. For example, a husband utters some hasty, unkind words to his wife. Feeling bad later that day, he buys her a dozen roses (or two dozen, as the transgression may merit). Of course, that should fix the problem, right? After all, they weren’t even on sale! What he fails to understand is that roses didn’t cause the problem and they’re unlikely to fix it.
Saul practiced the same type of bartering on a much larger scale. Having been commanded to “utterly destroy” the Amalekites, Saul determined to spare King Agag, and he allowed the people to plunder the flocks and herds. In short, his actions were direct disobedience to God.
When confronted a second time, how did Saul respond? He blamed the people again and he claimed he was making a spiritual sacrifice again (21). Samuel was probably a little tired of this well-worn excuse (see verse 15). So, in no uncertain terms, he explained to Saul that he could not buy himself out of his troubles. “To obey is better than sacrifice,” Samuel intoned. In other words, no amount of sacrifice, service, money, time, dedication, or good intentions can take the place of simple obedience.
It’s time we stopped trying to buy God off. Rather, we should openly and freely confess our sins and failures to Him. Then, with a heart cleansed from sin and a conscience freed from guild, we should seek to obey Him. Personal sacrifice is nice. It has its place. It’s the icing on the cake. But it can never replace simple obedience as the primary hope of God for His Children.
