What other scriptures emphasize the importance of obedience to God's commands? Jonathan’s Moment: A Snapshot of Obedience and Consequence 1 Samuel 14:29 reminds us how even a well-intentioned human command (Saul’s rash vow) can burden God’s people, while true obedience is always measured against what the LORD has actually said. Jonathan’s eyes “brightened” with a taste of honey, yet the bigger lesson is that we flourish when we heed God’s voice, not merely human rules. Lessons from the Law: Obedience Brings Blessing • Exodus 19:5 – “Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine.” • Deuteronomy 11:26-28 – “See, today I am setting before you a blessing and a curse: a blessing if you obey the commandments of the LORD your God … and a curse if you disobey…” • Joshua 1:7-8 – “Be careful to observe all the law … do not turn from it to the right or to the left… For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do.” Prophets and Poets: Faithfulness Matters • 1 Samuel 15:22 – “Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness than the fat of rams.” • Psalm 19:11 – “By them indeed Your servant is warned; in keeping them is great reward.” • Psalm 119:9, 105 – “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to Your word… Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” • Isaiah 1:19-20 – “If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best of the land. But if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” • Ecclesiastes 12:13 – “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” Jesus on Obedience: Love in Action • Matthew 7:21, 24 – “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father… Everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” • John 14:15 – “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” • John 14:23 – “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word… We will come to him and make Our home with him.” • John 15:10, 14 – “If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love… You are My friends if you do what I command you.” The Apostolic Witness: New-Covenant Obedience • Romans 6:16 – “…to obedience leading to righteousness.” • James 1:22 – “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” • 1 Peter 1:14-16 – “As obedient children … be holy, because I am holy.” • 1 John 2:3-5 – “By this we can be sure that we have come to know Him: if we keep His commandments.” • 1 John 5:3 – “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.” Final Notes from Revelation: Obedience Until the End • Revelation 12:17 – “…those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.” • Revelation 14:12 – “Here is a call for the endurance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” Putting It All Together From Jonathan’s observation to the last pages of Scripture, obedience is inseparable from blessing, holiness, love, and endurance. God does not ask for empty ritual or lip service; He seeks hearts and lives aligned with His revealed word. The bright eyes Jonathan experienced in tasting honey foreshadow the far greater vitality God gives to those who “taste and see that the LORD is good” by walking in His commands every day. |
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