Meditations

Openline on moody radio on Nov 12, 2022 hour 1.

Listener:

Good morning Dr Rydelnik, concerning 1 Samuel 15:23, rebellion is as a sin of witchcraft, a preacher I watched says rebellion is witchcraft but another preacher specifically called it out and says rebellion is not witchcraft, it is just like witchcraft, which is correct and do we really care? Thank you.

Dr Michael Rydelnik:

Well, it is not witchcraft because witchcraft is witchcraft and rebellion is rebellion. It’s not in the text actually said. When you read verse 23, rebellion is as or is like the sin of witchcraft, in the context, it wasn’t witchcraft that Saul carried out, it was his action to disobey God about the destruction of the Amakelites and king Agag …

Listener:

Yes

Dr Michael Rydelnik:

Now what was Saul most noted for as king when it came to cleaning out the land?

Listener:

I think one time he took some stuff that he’s not supposed to take, maybe?

Dr Michael Rydelnik:

One of the good things that Saul did is as we find out in 1 Samuel 28, is that in chapter 28 verse 3, Saul had put the mediums and necromancers out of the land, one of the good things he dealt with witchcraft, he didn’t want it in the land of Israel, which was good but then he rebels against the Lord,

Listener: I see where you are going …

Dr Michael Rydelnik:

He says has the Lord delighted in offerings and sacrifices? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, to listen than the fat of lambs, for rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry, in other words, you’re saying I am doing ok because I dealt with divination, I dealt with it, I’m good and did what God wanted about that and then he says rebellion against God, outright rebellious disobedience is as if you have said you did the same thing that you said you have already cleaned up. It’s not the same thing, it’s the same kind of heart attitude.

1 Samuel 15

23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king.” -nkjv

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. -kjv

23 For rebellion is as reprehensible as the sin of divination, And insubordination is as reprehensible as false religion and idolatry. Since you have rejected the word of the Lord, He has also rejected you from being king.” -nasb

23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.” -niv

1 Samuel 28

³ Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had lamented for him and buried him in Ramah, in his own city. And Saul had put the mediums and the spiritists out of the land. -nkjv

³ Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land. -kjv

³ Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had mourned him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had removed the mediums and spiritists from the land. -nasb

³ Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in his own town of Ramah. Saul had expelled the mediums and spiritists from the land. -niv