Here is Andrew’s latest blog,
In 1 Samuel 15 King Saul has finally crossed the line with God. There is no turning back at this point, he has proven himself incapable of leadership over God’s chosen people.
He had been given such a privileged position as the first king of Israel with only one person above him – God. Not only had the laws of God been clearly outlined by Moses for him, but he even had a prophet of God giving him direct instruction, but yet he still couldn’t follow the path God had laid out for him.
On this occasion the orders were very simple – war against the Amalekites and do not leave anyone or take anything for yourself. Without getting into the complexity of this war and why it was necessary, the simple truth was that these wicked people would never let the Israelite’s live as long as any of them remained and they were so wicked God didn’t even want their tainted possessions to remain.
When Saul went into battle God blessed him with victory and yet he went on ahead taking both the leader of the Amalekites (Agag) and all the best animals, only getting rid of what no-one would want. But God is not fooled! He was so grieved by these constant acts of disobedience that he repented of ever making him king. He had turned away from Saul as a leader and so Samuel, God’s Prophet, would deliver this message for him.
From the moment Samuel arrived, Saul had excuses and lies for what he had done. First, he straight up ignored the bleating of the sheep and lowing of the cattle and simply lied saying “I have done God’s will” knowing full well he had not.
Next, he blamed the people for taking the animals, saying he was afraid to disobey them, and that they were being sacrificed to the Lord anyway.
But Samuel reminded Saul that the Lord had placed him in leadership and it was he who had flown upon the spoil. In 1 Samuel 15:22-23 he reminded him God cares not for possessions or sacrifices, He wants us to listen and obey. This Saul consistently failed to do. Verse 23 says Saul’s sin was bitter rebellion and arrogant stubbornness or better worded “presumptuousness”.
This is a perfect description of Saul’s rule, as all he seems to do is completely rebel against what God asks him to do and then stubbornly push the boundaries to fit in what he wants or presumes God may want. This in the end stripped Saul of everything and left him incapable of leading God’s people all because he couldn’t be lead and he didn’t obey God. In the end Saul lost everything he had taken from the Amalekites.
How many of us are like this? How many blame everyone else and make up all these same excuses and reasons to cover up our sin? The truth is, our rebellious, arrogant and stubborn hearts want to have things their own way and presume God’s law to suit ourselves when we don’t want to hear the truth. Many churches out there are ignoring the word of God right in front of them and presuming their own decision for God.
Sexual sin is wrong in all forms and we must not delude ourselves. If it’s in God’s word, we must follow it or face the consequences, finding ourselves distanced from God and His will for our lives. We could lose so much more than the possessions and wealth of this world as a result.
A church disobeying God or “turning a blind eye” may gain members and popularity, but if it’s not leading the people in God’s will, it will end up like Saul in the end.
What you do with the Bible determines what God will do with you. Proverbs 13:13 says “Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded”
Gen 3x