1 Samuel 15:3, 9, 15 Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass. Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly. And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the LORD: I have performed the commandment of the LORD
Have you ever told a child exactly what you wanted him to do? You spell out for him the details of the assignment. You have him repeat back what you want him to do. You may even write it down for him to check off when it is completed.
However, when you return, you discover that it was not done as you had required. Have you ever experienced this shock?
The child given the assignment then begins to offer creative reasons for his not completing it the way you instructed. You stand in utter amazement as you hear the weak and lame excuses for the rebellion or laziness. You wonder what happened between your command and his attempt to complete the command.
Samuel gave Saul a “Things to do” list from God. It was clear. Destroy the enemy and his possessions. “Spare them not” was His direct command. However, when God sent His man to check on the progress of His “Things to do” list, he found that part of the command was followed but not all of it. Saul proudly proclaimed his interpretation of the command. He even stated he had done what God said and in his heart, he believed he had improved upon it. This was not acceptable to God. Saul paid dearly for his error in not following God’s command.
However, before we jump on the “Anti-Saul” bandwagon, consider this. We have been commanded to evangelize the world, yet look at our interpretations of it in missions today. We have been commanded to preach the Word, yet look at our modern interpretations of it in our preaching today. We have been commanded to live holily and righteously, yet look at our standards and convictions in dress and disposition.
Our day of reckoning is coming. We will face God and give account for how we fulfilled His commands. How are you coming on His “Things to do” list?
