NOTES for Sa1 15:22-23
22 And Samuel said, Hath 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, and to hearken than the fat of rams. |
23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king. |
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Saul's approach to his relationship with God is very characteristic. He wants God to take part in his affairs, not himself to take part in God's affairs. Saul intends to "neutralize" God's possible displeasure at his disobedience with sacrifices. The result is a simple model: I give Him the fat of rams, He gives me what I want! This kind of relationship is called magical thinking, and the prophet Samuel is entirely right when he compares it with sorcery and idolatry.
Does this have anything to do with us? We do not offer sacrifices, and we do not practice sorcery, go to fortune-tellers, or worship idols. Yet the same logic works in us when we light candles in church or read passages from Scripture, believing that after this God will do what we want from Him, instead of seeking how to do what He wants from us.
Magical thinking is lodged very deep in us, in our subconscious, and without union with Christ, without receiving the Holy Spirit, it cannot be cleaned out from there.
Readings for 10 April 2026
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