1 Samuel 15:22 And Samuel said, Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold… Saul's misconduct supplied the occasion for the announcement of an absolute and eternal truth. I. THAT SACRIFICE IS ONLY CIRCUMSTANTIALLY NECESSARY, BUT OBEDIENCE IS ESSENTIALLY SO. 1. Sacrifice is either an atonement for offence, and then, however excellent the remedy, it cannot for its own sake be as acceptable to the Creator as the healthful action which renders the remedy unnecessary. 2. It is the suffering occasioned by transgression, and then it cannot be so pleasant to a parent as the obedience which prevents the suffering. Hence as sacrifice is a remedy for moral disease, it is good, but as obedience is the pulsation of unimpaired health, it is better. II. SACRIFICE IS A RELATIVE GOOD — OBEDIENCE IS PERSONAL AND THEREFORE BETTER. The idea may be thus expressed: — Sacrifice is required because of the relation of God to other beings than the offerer, but obedience is demanded by the relation of the individual to God. — III. SACRIFICE IS TEMPORARY, OBEDIENCE ETERNAL. When God's will shall be done on earth as it is in heaven, sacrifice shall be no more needed on earth than in heaven. IV. SACRIFICE IS GOOD AS A MEANS; THEREFORE, TO OBEY, BEING THE END, IS BETTER. 1. Such sacrifices only were accepted of old, as God had commanded. Thus they were only valuable as they were related to obedience, and for its sake. 2. The great sacrifice is valuable as an atonement for man's disobedience. (1) Because of the perfect obedience of the offerer. (2) Because of the revelation of God it affords. (3) Because of the cure of man's disobedience it is calculated thus to effect. (4) Because it thus secures that which is better than sacrifice. (5) In fine, it is only thus valuable permanently to the obedient.Being made perfect He became the Author of eternal salvation to all them that obey Him. (William Knox.) Parallel Verses KJV: And Samuel said, Hath 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 hearken than the fat of rams. |
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