As for Saul, he was still in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling. Then he waited seven days, according to the time set by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him. So Saul said, “Bring a burnt offering and peace offerings here to me.” And he offered the burnt offering. Now it happened, as soon as he had finished presenting the burnt offering, that Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might greet him. And Samuel said, “What have you done?”
Saul said, “When I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered together at Michmash, then I said, ‘The Philistines will now come down on me at Gilgal, and I have not made supplication to the Lord.’ Therefore I felt compelled, and offered a burnt offering.”
And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you. For now the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever.1 Samuel 13:7-13
The prophet Samuel had specifically told Saul that he would return and would offer the burnt offerings. However, Samuel delayed, and Saul became frightened. Saul succumbed to the voice of his fears and the voices of pressure by his people. He perceived that the burnt offering was more important than obeying the voice of God. God had established a separation of church and state by giving specific responsibilities to the king and to the priest. The king was to fight in wars and the priest was to intercede before God on behalf of the nation.
It was Samuel’s responsibility to offer the burnt offerings. On the other hand, Saul was the king, and he had no business crossing the boundary line and offering burnt offerings. The power was not in burnt offering but in obedience to the voice of God.Saul knew that God required burnt offering, but he ignored the fact that God required it from Samuel not Saul.
Actions and activities do not have power on their own. What gives them power is when they are done according to God’s leading and His voice. If we focus on certain actions apart from God’s direction, we create ritualistic witchcraft. Just because something worked for others, it does not mean that God calls us to do the same thing.
What compels you into action? Are you led by the the voice of God or are you led by your fears? Have you overstepped your boundary to achieve your goal?
I will continue with this subject in the next devotional.
