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In the Old and New Testament, the
word “obey” is related to the idea of hearing. Obedience is therefore the basis
for knowing God’s blessing and favor. According to Noah Webster’s dictionary, 1898 to obey is “to do that which
is commanded or required, or to forbear doing that which is prohibited.”
God says many times that he doesn’t
want our gifts and sacrifices when we give them out of hypocrisy. God wants us first to love and obey him. To
him sacrifices are excuses. God’s love language is obedience.
In the New Testament, the
obedience of Christ stands in contrast to the disobedience of Adam. The disobedience
of Adam brought death, but the perfect obedience of Christ brought grace,
righteousness, and life (Romans 15:12-21).
Some scriptures on obedience verses sacrifice;
1 Samuel 15:22 “What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt
offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is
better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.”
Jeremiah 7:21-23 “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: “Take your burnt
offerings and your other sacrifices and eat them yourselves! When
I led your ancestors out of Egypt, it was not burnt offerings and sacrifices I
wanted from them. This is what I told them: ‘Obey me, and I will be your
God, and you will be my people. Do everything as I say, and all will be well!”
Hosea 6:6 “I want you to show love,
not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me.
more than I want burnt offerings.”
Amos 5:22-24 “I will not accept your burnt offerings and
grain offerings. I won’t even notice all your choice peace
offerings. Away with your noisy hymns of praise!
I will not listen to the music
of your harps. Instead, I want to see a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living.”
Micah 6:6-8 “What can we bring to the Lord? Should we bring him burnt
offerings? Should we
bow before God Most High with offerings of yearling
calves? Should we offer him thousands of rams
and ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Should
we sacrifice our firstborn children to pay for our
sins? No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires
of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with
your God."
Matthew 9:13 ““Now go and learn the meaning of this
Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’
God
is pleased when we O B E Y.
