按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
634
Holy Spirit； and persisted in his stubborn self…justification； he rejected
the only means by which God could work to save him from himself。 He had
willfully separated himself from God。 He could not receive divine help or
guidance until he should return to God by confession of his sin。
At Gilgal； Saul had made an appearance of great conscientiousness； as he
stood before the army of Israel offering up a sacrifice to God。 But his
piety was not genuine。 A religious service performed in direct opposition to
the command of God only served to weaken Saul's hands； placing him beyond
the help that God was so willing to grant him。
In his expedition against Amalek； Saul thought he had done all that was
essential of that which the Lord had commanded him； but the Lord was not
pleased with partial obedience； nor willing to pass over what had been
neglected through so plausible a motive。 God has given men no liberty to
depart from His requirements。 The Lord had declared to Israel； 〃Ye shall not
do 。 。 。 every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes；〃 but ye shall
〃observe and hear all these words which I command thee。〃 Deuteronomy 12：8；
28。 In deciding upon any course of action we are not to ask whether we can
see that harm will result from it； but whether it is in keeping with the
will of God。 〃There is a way which seemeth right unto a man； but the end
thereof are the ways of death。〃 Proverbs 14：12。
〃To obey is better than sacrifice。〃 The sacrificial offerings were in
themselves of no value in the sight of God。 They were designed to express on
the part of the offerer penitence for sin and faith in Christ and to pledge
future obedience to the law of God。 But without penitence； faith； and an
obedient heart； the offerings were worthless。 When； in direct violation of
God's command； Saul proposed to present a sacrifice of that which God had
devoted to destruction； open contempt was shown for the divine authority。
The service would have been an insult to Heaven。 Yet with the sin of Saul
and its result before us； how many are pursuing a similar course。 While they
refuse to believe and obey some requirement of the Lord； they persevere in
offering up to God their formal services of religion。 There is no response
of the Spirit of God to such service。 No matter how zealous men may be in
their observance of religious ceremonies； the Lord cannot accept them if
they persist in willful violation of one of His commands。 PG 635
635
〃Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft； and stubbornness is as iniquity and
idolatry。〃 Rebellion originated with Satan； and all rebellion against God is
directly due to satanic influence。 Those who set themselves against the
government of God have entered into an alliance with the archapostate； and
he will exercise his power and cunning to captivate the senses and mislead
the understanding。 He will cause everything to appear in a false light。 Like
our first parents； those who are under his bewitching spell see only the
great benefits to be received by transgression。
No stronger evidence can be given of Satan's delusive power than that many
who are thus led by him deceive themselves with the belief that they are in
the service of God。 When Korah； Dathan； and Abiram rebelled against the
authority of Moses； they thought they were opposing only a human leader； a
man like themselves； and they came to believe that they were verily doing
God service。 But in rejecting God's chosen instrument they rejected Christ；
they insulted the Spirit of God。 So； in the days of Christ； the Jewish
scribes and elders； who professed great zeal for the honor of God； crucified
His Son。 The same spirit still exists in the hearts of those who set
themselves to follow their own will in opposition to the will of God。
Saul had had the most ample proof that Samuel was divinely inspired。 His
venturing to disregard the command of God through the prophet was against
the dictates of reason and sound judgment。 His fatal presumption must be
attributed to satanic sorcery。 Saul had manifested great zeal in suppressing
idolatry and witchcraft； yet in his disobedience to the divine command he
had been actuated by the same spirit of opposition to God and had been as
really inspired by Satan as are those who practice sorcery； and when
reproved； he had added stubbornness to rebellion。 He could have offered no
greater insult to the Spirit of God had he openly united with idolaters。
It is a perilous step to slight the reproofs and warnings of God's word or
of His Spirit。 Many； like Saul； yield to temptation until they become blind
to the true character of sin。 They flatter themselves that they have had
some good object in view； and have done no wrong in departing from the
Lord's requirements。 Thus they do despite to the Spirit of grace； until its
voice is no longer heard； and they are left to the delusions which they have
chosen。
636
In Saul； God had given to Israel a king after their own heart； as Samuel
said when the kingdom was confirmed to Saul at Gilgal； 〃Behold the king whom
ye have chosen； and whom ye have desired。〃 1 Samuel 12：13。 Comely in person；
of noble stature and princely bearing； his appearance accorded with their
conceptions of royal dignity； and his personal valor and his ability in the
conduct of armies were the qualities which they regarded as best calculated
to secure respect and honor from other nations。 They felt little solicitude
that their king should possess those higher qualities which alone could fit
him to rule which justice and equity。 They did not ask for one who had true
nobility of character； who possessed the love and fear of God。 They had not
sought counsel from God as to the qualities a ruler should possess； in order
to preserve their distinctive； holy character as His chosen people。 They
were not seeking God's way； but their own way。 Therefore God gave them such
a king as they desiredone whose character was a reflection of their own。
Their hearts were not in submission to God； and their king also was
unsubdued by divine grace。 Under the rule of this king they would obtain the
experience necessary in order that they might see their error； and return to
their allegiance to God。
Yet the Lord； having placed on Saul the responsibility of the kingdom； did
not leave him to himself。 He caused the Holy Spirit to rest upon Saul to
reveal to him his own weakness and his need of divine grace； and had Saul
relied upon God； God would have been with him。 So long as his will was
controlled by the will of God； so long as he yielded to the discipline of
His Spirit； God could crown his efforts with success。 But when Saul chose to
act independently of God； the Lord could no longer be his guide； and was
forced to set him aside。 Then He called to the throne 〃a man after His own
heart〃 （1 Samuel 13：14）not one who was faultless in character； but who；
instead of trusting to himself； would rely upon God； and be guided by His
Spirit； who； when he sinned； would submit to reproof and correction。
（63