Justin Houtz

1 Samuel 15, Romans 13, Jeremiah 52, Psalm 31

DateVersionReading Plan
August 23, 2024ESV (2016)M’Cheyne Plan 2024

1 Samuel 15

1 Samuel 15:19–21 (ESV) 19 Why then did you not obey the voice of the LORD? Why did you pounce on the spoil and do what was evil in the sight of the LORD?” 20 And Saul said to Samuel, “I have obeyed the voice of the LORD. I have gone on the mission on which the LORD sent me. I have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and I have devoted the Amalekites to destruction. 21 But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the best of the things devoted to destruction, to sacrifice to the LORD your God in Gilgal.” 22 And Samuel said, “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,

Samuel confronted Saul for not obeying the voice of the LORD in bringing the Amalekites to complete destruction. Saul defended himself by saying that he had obeyed the LORD, going on mission for which he was sent, bringing Agag the king and devoting the Amalekites to destruction. However, he had allowed the people take the spoil of sheep, oxen and best things from the Amalekite defeat to be used as sacrifices to the LORD in Gilgal. It was the sparing of Agag and the failure to destroy everything that condemned Saul in disobedience of the LORD. Samuel told Saul that obedience is better than sacrifice, an understanding that is repeated throughout Scripture (ex. Ps. 40:6–8; Ps. 50:8, 9; Prov. 21:3; Isa. 1:11–13, 16, 17; Jer. 7:22, 23; Mic. 6:6–8; Heb. 10:6–9). By his rebuke of Saul, Samuel “drove home the point that partial obedience of God was really disobedience, and full obedience of God mattered more than any human-concocted alternatives.” (CSB Notes) It is our pursuit of the LORD and faithfulness to obey His Word—neither to add nor remove—that honors our LORD and brings glory to His name.

Romans 13

Romans 13:12–14 (ESV) 12 The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

Paul contrasts day and night, light and darkness, and that we are to put on the armor of light. To do so is to put on the Lord Jesus Christ himself, to “appropriate Jesus’ virtues and imitate His love” (FSB). We are to live by the Spirit of Christ and keep in step with Him, providing no opportunities for the flesh or gratify its desires. This entails walking properly as in the daytime, avoiding the darkness and every vile practice. In so doing, the bride of Christ expresses her desire to keep herself pure for her Bridegroom, unstained and undefiled by the works of sin.

Jeremiah 52

Jeremiah 52:12–14 (ESV) 12 In the fifth month, on the tenth day of the month—that was the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon—Nebuzaradan the captain of the bodyguard, who served the king of Babylon, entered Jerusalem. 13 And he burned the house of the LORD, and the king’s house and all the houses of Jerusalem; every great house he burned down. 14 And all the army of the Chaldeans, who were with the captain of the guard, broke down all the walls around Jerusalem.

Nebuzaradan, the captain of the bodyguard who served king Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, burned the house of the LORD, the king’s house and every great house in Jerusalem. The walls around Jerusalem were also broken down, leaving it defenseless. The temple was “the central focus of Israel’s religious life” (CSB Notes) and thus its destruction along with the walls of the city marked a devastating blow for God’s people. Jerusalem was laid waste but, as GotAnswers points out, “The Babylonian captivity had one very significant impact on the nation of Israel when it returned to the land—it would never again be corrupted by the idolatry and false gods of the surrounding nations.” Through His use of Babylon against Israel, the LORD was implementing a plan that would lead to restoration of faith among His people. This speaks to our great need to be regularly refreshed of God’s big-picture perspective, especially as we encounter seasons of adversity and trials of various kinds.

Psalm 31

Psalm 31:3–5 (ESV) 3 For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me; 4 you take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for you are my refuge. 5 Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God.

David illuminates the motive of God’s leading and guidance: for His name’s sake. The LORD is our rock, fortress and strong tower, our faithful God who provides redemption through His Son Jesus Christ. All manner of His doing is to bring about His glory, for His name to be known throughout His creation from generation to generation. May we then be as instruments in His hands for this glorious purpose, responding in faith to our calling to proclaim His Lordship and majesty to the ends of the earth.

Resources