This book, as do all the Deuteronomic writings, illustrates the absolute necessity of obedience. If we truly believe in the Lord, we will obey Him. If we truly love Him, we will obey Him (Jn 15:10). Obedience is better than sacrifice (15:22). Through perfect obedience, the one Man, Jesus, saved the whole world and made atonement for all the sins that ever have or will be committed (Rm 5:19). The Christian life is simply "a life of obedience to Jesus Christ" (1 Pt 1:2). Because of disobedience, Saul was defeated, demon-possessed, and involved in the occult. In the end, he committed suicide. David was supremely victorious and became the ancestor of Jesus the Messiah because David was obedient.

Key word    OBEDIENCE
 
Key verse    "Does the Lord so delight in holocausts and sacrifices as in obedience to the command of the Lord? Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission than the fat of rams." —15:22
 
Command verse    "You must fear the Lord and worship Him faithfully with your whole heart; keep in mind the great things He has done among you. If instead you continue to do evil, both you and your king shall perish."—12:24-25
 
Promise verse    "From the day the ark came to rest in Kiriath-jearim a long time — twenty years — elapsed, and the whole Israelite population turned to the Lord." —7:2
 
Difficult verse    "The woman answered Saul, 'I see a preternatural being rising from the earth.' " —28:13
 
Surprise verse    "Then they placed the ark of the Lord on the cart, along with the box containing the golden mice and the images of the hemorrhoids." —6:11
 
Prayer: Father, may I resist temptation to the point of shedding my blood and even beyond (Heb 12:4).