Stubborn ! We use the word often, as if it were an enduring quality. Often you hear the word used when a child disobeys. The definition is an adjective, having or showing dogged determination not to change one’s attitude or position on something, especially despite good arguments or reasons to do so. A stubborn person is difficult to move, resistant to change.
Some synonyms are obstinate, headstrong, willful, strong-willed, pigheaded, contrary and on it goes. Many of these words we see as wrong, but we still don’t understand how bad they are in light of the word of God.
In I Samuel 15, we have the account of Saul going to battle with the Amalekites. This battle was instructed by God. The following verse gives the marching orders given to Saul by Samuel from God!
I Samuel 15:3 “Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.”
Seems pretty clear to me. They were to destroy everything. Nothing was to be spared, not animal nor human. Even the babies were to be killed. Seems very cruel and harsh to us, but this was God’s orders. We will not always understand God’s ways while on this earth but we must obey Him if we love Him.
Saul chose to do it his way. He saved King Agag and the best of the flocks. This was direct disobedience to God’s command but look at his excuse.
I Samuel 15:15 “And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed.”
He disobeyed God so he could make a sacrifice to God. He also took no responsibility but said the people did it. Uh, newsflash, He is in charge! He reasoned it out in his own mind and did it his way. Never considering how God would view it, or if there would be consequences. Samuel tells him he has been stubborn and rebellious.
I Samuel 15:23 “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.”
Stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry! We laugh at a young child when they exhibit this character trait. We get angry when adults are being stubborn, but we never view it the way God does. It is a very serious matter to him. Iniquity refers to evil sin, wickedness it is to be crooked, bend, or go astray. Not something we would want anyone to accuse us of doing. However, to be stubborn is a word we use often as if it is ok, “not so bad.” We often act as if it is a badge to be proud of, but God sees it as serious as worshiping idols.
Why is it equal to idolatry? Because you have determined in your heart you will do it your way. You have dug in your heels and made yourself your own God.
We need to think twice about categorizing sin! This was so serious to God that His prophet Samuel tells Saul that he will be rejected from being King.
Saul was so terror-struck that he begins to beg for forgiveness, but it must have been insincere, or God had rejected him altogether because God does not change his mind. If you read on, Saul never really turns back to God. I don’t know if he could at this point. He may have already gone too far. His stubbornness, idolatry, continues in his heart because we see him over and over seeking his own way. We see him in I Samuel 28 seeking out the witch of Endor to help him instead of seeking God.
The same authority that had pronounced him King had now dethroned him. He had set his will against God’s will. When we seek to do it our way, instead of God’s way, we are as guilty as Saul, and destruction will come.
How do you view stubbornness?
Have you ever been called stubborn?
What has God instructed you to do through His word that you have done your way?
