396
From Eternity Past
power. This is the work which the Lord proposes to do for all who
consecrate themselves to Him. He will reveal to them their defects of
character and will give to them strength to correct their errors.
Though when first called to the throne Saul was humble and self-
[460]
distrustful, success made him self-confident. The valor and military
skill displayed in the deliverance of Jabesh-gilead roused the enthu-
siasm of the whole nation. At first he ascribed the glory to God, but
afterward took honor to himself. He lost sight of his dependence on
God and in heart departed from the Lord. Thus the way was prepared
for his sin of presumption at Gilgal. The same blind self-confidence
led him to reject Samuel’s reproof. Had he been willing to confess
his error, this bitter experience would have proved a safeguard for the
future. If the Lord had then separated Himself entirely from Saul, He
would not have again spoken to him through His prophet, entrusting
him with a definite work to perform, that he might correct the errors
of the past.
When Saul persisted in his stubborn self-justification, he rejected
the only means by which God could work to save him from himself.
At Gilgal, a religious service performed in direct opposition to the
command of God only placed him beyond the help that God was
willing to grant. In the expedition against Amalek, the Lord was not
pleased with partial obedience. God has given men no liberty to depart
from His requirements.
Obedience the Fruit of Faith
“To obey is better than sacrifice.” Without patience, faith, and
an obedient heart, sacrificial offerings were worthless. When Saul
proposed to present a sacrifice of that which God had devoted to de-
struction, open contempt was shown for divine authority. The service
would have been an insult to Heaven. Yet many are pursuing a similar
course. While they refuse to believe and obey some requirement of
the Lord, they offer up to God their formal services of religion. The
Lord cannot accept them if they persist in willful violation of one of
His commands.
“Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniq-
uity and idolatry.” Those who set themselves against the government
of God have entered into an alliance with the archapostate. He will
[461]