To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice

One of the most memorable lines of Scripture comes out of the mouth of the prophet Samuel during his encounter with King Saul. Saul had just destroyed the Amalakites. He was to destroy all of them and all they had, including all of their animals. He and Israel, however, kept some of the animals for sacrifice. After the battle, Samuel approaches Saul and Saul says to him, “Blessed be thou of the LORD. I have performed the commandment of the LORD.” And Samuel replies, “What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears” (1 Samuel 15:14)? Trouble.

Samuel reminds you of every good mother coming up to check on the bedroom cleanings. The boys say, “We have performed the commandment.” Mom replies, “What meaneth then the smelling of those socks beneath thy bed?” “Ah, mom, those are for sacrifice.”

Samuel went on to say that “to obey is better than sacrifice.” Sacrifice is glorious, of course. We have assembled as the saints of God today, a kingdom of priests, ascended to Mount Zion with the holy angels to offer our bodies as living and holy sacrifices. Our songs, confessions, and thanksgivings around Christ’s table are full of wonder. And the prophet says that obedience is even better.

Obedience often gets a bad wrap. The great lie being that obedience is cold, lifeless, boring, and a sign of a rigid fundamentalist. By contrast, sacred service is often portrayed favorably: Give me well-dressed people in a well-lit cathedral, kneeling in a religious posture: that is the good life.

But do you know what is even better? Running in the way of God’s commandments. This we will do when He enlarges our heart.

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