In Jeremiah, chapter eleven, verse three, “And say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel; Cursed be the man that obeyeth not the words of this covenant.” God’s people of His chosen nation had made a covenant with Him, promising to obey Him as their Lord and God. In return, He would be their God and would give them the deed for the land of Canaan and the protection they needed. But the people of God had persisted in disobedience and turned to other gods. Therefore, the covenant curses pronounced
for disobedience would go into effect, as in Deuteronomy twenty-eight.
God never promised to bestow blessings on his rational creatures while they persist in wilful disobedience. Pardon and acceptance are promised freely to all believers. But no man can be saved who does not obey the command of God to repent, to believe in Christ, to separate from sin and the world, to choose self-denial and newness of life. In general, men will hearken to those who speak of doctrines, promises, and privileges. But when duties are mentioned, they will not bend their ear.
“Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,” as in the middle part of First Samuel fifteen, verse twenty-two. “Obedience is better than sacrifice.” Most people in the family of faith learn the importance and blessing of obeying God, but those who choose to disobey lose out on God’s blessings or face devastating consequences. Therefore, First Corinthians ten, verse six, declares, “And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.”
Learn why obedience to God is more important than sacrifices or offerings in First Samuel fifteen. See how Saul’s disobedience was rebellion, sin, idolatry, and disrespect to God’s Word. “Dis” is a negative prefix that means not, opposite of, remove, or reverse.