God's Judgement on Pride

Prepare: God will change His plan for an individual when he disobeys.
Read: 1 Samuel 15:1-16

God's orders were clear, but Saul's motives were mixed. Saul was commissioned to destroy the Amalekite nation for their sins against the Israelites coming out of Egypt. This was in fulfilment of God's purpose stated about 500 years ago. Verse 9 describes Saul's disobedience to God's command which was to destroy utterly all that the Amalekites had, not sparing any man, woman, infant, suckling, ox, sheep, camel or ass. But Saul failed miserably. Saul and his army spared the Amalekite king and covered the best of the cattle and did not destroy them.

The Amalekites were a nomadic tribe who lived in the desert south of Judah. Saul is told to avenge their attack on the Israelites at the oasis of Rephidim during their journey from Egypt to Canaan (Ex.17:8-13). Amalek stands for the flesh and is the one who puts a stumbling block in our daily walk with the Lord. As they tried to prevent the Israelites from entering the Promised Land, even today the flesh fights against the spirit so that we lose heavenly blessings. As Moses vowed "war with Amalek from generation to generation" (Ex. 17:14-16), we too face spiritual battles till the end of out life.

Saul made a monument in his own honour to mark his victory over Amalek. He failed to realize his sin, and was celebrating his victory. Note the breach in Saul's relationship with God. He tells Samuel 'the Lord your God'.

Respond: Are you building monuments for yourself instead of glorifying God?