So Samuel said: “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the LORD? 1BEHOLD, TO OBEY IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE, And to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the SIN OF WITCHCRAFT, And STUBBORNNESS IS AS INIQUITY AND IDOLATRY. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He also has REJECTED YOU FROM BEING KING.” (1 Sam. 15:22-23) 1hinnêh: To draw attention. Samuel is drawing attention to the UTMOST IMPORTANCE OF OBEDIENCE TO GOD. When we disobey God IT IS SIN, but not just any sin but as the sin of witchcraft. Balaam was a “soothsayer” or “diviner.” So, Moab sent word to him, “…come at once, CURSE THIS PEOPLE FOR ME (Israel), for they are too mighty for me. So the elders of Moab…departed with the diviner’s fee in their hand, they came to Balaam…” (Num. 22:6-7) God used evil Balaam to bless Israel instead of cursing them, but later Balaam caused the Moabite women to commit adultery with the men of Israel. “Now Israel…began to commit harlotry with the women of Moab…So Israel was joined to Baal of Peor, and the anger of the LORD was aroused against Israel.” (Num. 25:1-3) “…those who walk according to the flesh…have FORSAKEN THE RIGHT WAY and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor…” (2 Pet. 2:14-15)
WE MUST COMMIT OURSELVES TO OBEY THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY…
-Bill Stockham