David: God's own heart Chapter 10 King Saul - Favor by fire

 

Favor by Fire

When Saul was chosen as king, God did not require anything in return. However, as a follower and worshipper of God, it is natural to offer what you possess—whether material or spiritual—as a gesture of reverence and devotion to the Lord.

In short, God never instructed him to make an offering.Yet, as a leader, Saul felt compelled to observe this rite of passage to honor God and seek His divine will through His anointed priest, Samuel.

In Saul’s story, there were two separate offerings—not just one—that he made inappropriately. This was not a one-time sin; it was deliberate, as King Saul committed the same transgression twice.

Long before Saul’s reign, God had given strict instructions to the tribe of Levi, appointing them to perform these sacred rituals. These practices were not to be taken lightly. They were designed to show reverence to the Lord and were detailed extensively in the book of Leviticus.

Can you now grasp the seriousness of a king usurping the authority of a priest?Will God tolerate or forgive someone who fails to honor His name through the sacred burnt and peace offerings?

First Violation: The Burnt Offering

A burnt offering involved selecting a male animal without defect—such as a bull, goat, or ram.The animal was washed thoroughly, its blood drained, and its skin removed (the skin was given to the priest).Then it was placed on the altar and completely burned. Its smoke was meant to ascend to heaven as a pleasing aroma to the Lord.

Only the priest was permitted to carry out this task.No one else was allowed near the altar, which represented the very presence of God.Anyone who approached unbidden would die,except for the consecrated priest performing the ritual.

This was Saul’s first grave error.He defiled the burnt offering, failing to recognize the sacredness of the act.He did not understand the gravity of his actions—or why priests in ancient times would die if they failed to properly conduct the ritual.

The burnt offering was not merely a sacrifice of flesh; it was an expression of deep reverence toward God.It required absolute care and humility in the presence of the Most High,who reigns in Heaven & on Earth.