Listen and Obey – Essential for Abundant Life
Listen and Obey is a frequent theme in scripture. Why is it important? Does it still apply today? Let’s find out.
And Samuel said, “Though you are little in your own eyes, are you not the head of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king over Israel. And the LORD sent you on a mission and said, ‘Go, devote to destruction the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are consumed.’ Why then did you not obey the voice of the LORD? Why did you pounce on the spoil and do what was evil in the sight of the LORD?” And Saul said to Samuel, “I have obeyed the voice of the LORD. I have gone on the mission on which the LORD sent me. I have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and I have devoted the Amalekites to destruction. But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the best of the things devoted to destruction, to sacrifice to the LORD your God in Gilgal.” 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.
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 15:17-23 (ESV)
Let’s look at what happened here
King Saul was sent on a mission from God to destroy the Amalekites, who were historic enemies of the Israelites. The Amalekites had already attack the children of Israel when they came out of Egypt and they repeatedly demonstrated that they were intent on destroying the people of God. So this was God’s judgment on them and he was using Israel for his purposes. The destruction was to be complete – every living thing of the Amalekites was to be consumed.
It is important to note at this point that this passage is descriptive and not prescriptive. In other words, we cannot use this passage to justify attacking our ‘enemies.’
Saul compromised in the mission he was given. The spoil was taken – not destroyed; the king was spared – not killed. His first instinct was to blame the people but then changed tact to say they the spoil was saved for sacrifice to God – thus destroyed in a different way than commanded. In making his argument, Saul asserted that he had, indeed, obeyed God.
The condemnation delivered by Samuel was strong. Disobedience was wrong and obedience can never be partial. The consequences of Saul’s choice were devastating to Saul’s legacy and his ego.
Obedience matters far more than worship! Obedience and listening are linked here – we obey the word of God that we hear – it is essential.
Jesus echoes this important standard – Listen and Obey
And he said to them, “You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition! For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ But you say, ‘If a man tells his father or his mother, “Whatever you would have gained from me is Corban” ’ (that is, given to God)— then you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother, thus making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many such things you do.” Mark 7:9–13 (ESV)
Instead of obeying the law, Corban was a way of avoiding it. Instead of honoring the parents by providing for them in their old age, property or resources were dedicated to God. This might have seemed pious but it was condemned by Jesus.
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ Matthew 7:21–23 (ESV)
This passage is even more explicit. Obedience is required to enter the kingdom of heaven. Even mighty works are not enough. Can we really do mighty works and prophesy in Jesus’ name while in a state of disobedience? Jesus said that it was possible!
What about grace? Listen and obey!
I have heard arguments that because we have entered the age of grace, obedience is to take a back seat, so to speak. Salvation is all about God’s mercy and grace and our faith – not about obedience. And it is true that we are not saved by works of obedience. However, salvation is the entrance into a relationship with God where obedience is essential.
We are not saved by our obedience; obedience is the fruit of salvation. It can be argued that if we remain disobedient, we are not saved.
No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. 1 John 3:6 (ESV)
No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. 1 John 3:9 (ESV)
In Romans, Paul reiterates this relationship between salvation and obedience calling us into the obedience of faith (Romans 1:5, 16:26).
The application to our lives today
We acknowledge the free gift of salvation where we experience the forgiveness of sins, spiritual rebirth and inward transformation by the power of the Spirit. All of this is wrought by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
When we are saved, we enter into a relationship with God – responding to Jesus’ call on our lives – “follow me.” When we follow Jesus, we listen to what he has to say. He speaks to us in various ways: prayer, the Bible and by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit speaks to us through his voice, the circumstances of our lives, the counsel of Spirit filled friends, open doors and closed doors, impressions and nudges. God still speaks, so we listen and obey.
Following Jesus means we are uncompromising in our obedience. We don’t reinterpret his leadership to fit our perceptions and preferences. We make no compromises or justifications or excuses. And it is important that we make no substitutions – ‘I’ll be disobedient about what God really wants me to do but be more active in the church’
Following Jesus means we experience the abundant life. We experience the power of the Spirit in obedience and are used by God to transform lives. Our legacy becomes eternal.
Your Turn
Take this seriously. Ask God to help you be obedient in all things.
And continue with us in the journey through the Bible. Here are the readings, prompts and questions for the next two weeks.
Weekly Reading: 1 Samuel 15-31, 2 Samuel 1-4 – break this down in daily readings that fit your schedule
Key points:
- Obedience to God must be complete and without compromise and justification. This is what Saul did when he failed to completely carry out God’s command in dealing with the Amalekites.
- The Lord’s anointing on Saul carried very high value in David’s eyes. We see this in every confrontation between the two. God’s anointing must be respected and honored.
Questions for consideration:
- How do we ensure that we are not captivated by the outward appearance and not the heart?
- David fought Goliath and killed him. What lessons can we learn from this important chapter? See if you can come up with at least 5 but try for 10!
- Why was Saul so intent on killing David? How did he perceive David to be at enmity with him?
- What lessons can we learn from 2 Samuel 1? Consider the death of Saul, the actions of David and the lamentation for Saul and Jonathan.
Weekly Reading: 2 Samuel 5-24 – break this down in daily readings that fit your schedule
Key points:
- Early in his reign, David sought a place for the Lord but God made it plain to him that his timing was more important than David’s worthy desire.
- David’s sin ushered in a chapter of spiritual and moral failure within his own family that led to incest, murder, betrayal and civil war.
Questions for consideration:
- How do you view the exuberant worship of David as the ark was brought to Jerusalem? What would it take to get you out of your comfort zone to also worship in such a fashion?
- Nathan rebuked David for his sin. How would you handle such a strong confrontation? We like to hide our sin but God makes it plain! What does David’s response tell you about his character? And what lessons can we learn to help us?
- Ziba or Mephibosheth, who was at fault (2 Samuel 16 and 19)? Who lied? Take time to think about everything that happened there.
- What lessons can we learn from 2 Samuel 24? Think about all the words written, the decisions, the consequences, repentance and sacrifice.
Recent Comments