The High Cost of Rebellion

Then Samuel said to Saul, “The LORD sent me to anoint you as king over His people, over Israel; now therefore, listen to the words of the LORD. Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘I will punish Amalek for what he did to Israel, how he set himself against him on the way while he was coming up from Egypt. Now go and strike Amalek and utterly destroy all that he has, and do not spare him; but put to death both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.’” 1 Samuel 15:1-3

So Saul defeated the Amalekites, from Havilah as you go to Shur, which is east of Egypt. He captured Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword. But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep, the oxen, the fatlings, the lambs, and all that was good, and were not willing to destroy them utterly; but everything despised and worthless, that they utterly destroyed. 1 Samuel 15:7-9

Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
As in obeying the voice of the LORD?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
And to heed than the fat of rams.
For rebellion is as the sin of divination,
And insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the LORD,
He has also rejected you from being king.
1 Samuel 15:22-23

Partial obedience is not obedience. It is rebellion that turns aside to selfish desires while ignoring the wishes of those in authority over us. At first glance rebellion may appear insignificant, but don’t be fooled. The roots of rebellion grow quickly and run deep.

God directed Saul to destroy the Amalikites. However, when the dust on the battlefield settled, Saul and his army had spared the Amalekite king and the best of his flocks. With disobedience now standing between him and God, Saul tried in vain to explain his actions. He claimed he saved the best of the spoil as a sacrifice to God, but the true intent of Saul’s heart was selfish gain. This one act of rebellion cost him the throne. Years later, it cost Israel the lives of some of its strongest fighting men.

Ultimately all rebellion circumvents God’s control even though its aim is usually directed at human authority. It quenches our fellowship with God and derails His blessings. You may think your rebellion is justifiable, but God never blesses anything that contradicts His will. Rebellion is always at enmity with God.

Ask Him to surface any hidden rebellion within your heart. When we come to Him in repentance, He always responds in love and grace.

Whenever we pursue what God forbids, we are rebelling.