Let's take a deep dive into rebellion according to the Word of God. What is it and how does God view it. Bottom line, is it worth rebelling against our creator?
"For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry..."
1 Samuel 15:23
Let's look at a few simple words here.
Rebellion
bitter, most rebellion,
From marah; bitterness, i.e. (figuratively) rebellion; concretely, bitter, or rebellious -- bitter, (most) rebel(-lion, -lious).
see HEBREW marah
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Opposition to one in authority or dominance
Merriam Webster
We can see rebellion stems from bitterness and in this context, refuses God as the ultimate authority. Bitterness can result in a hard heart. It is also one of the hardest things to get rid of once its taken root in the heart. God compares it to witchcraft.
Witchcraft
pharmakeia: the use of medicine, drugs or spells
magic, sorcery, enchantment.
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Does not witchcraft source its power from Satan himself, who is the utmost opposition to God? Following this, He compares stubbornness as iniquity and idolatry. Let's look at these words and their definitions as well.
Stubbornness
Away, backsliding, rebellious, revolting, slide back, stubborn, withdrew
A primitive root; to turn away, i.e. (morally) be refractory -- X away, backsliding, rebellious, revolter(-ing), slide back, stubborn, withdrew.
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Idolatry
Aven: trouble, sorrow, wickedness
affliction, evil, false, idol, iniquity, mischief, mourner, naught,
From an unused root perhaps meaning properly, to pant (hence, to exert oneself, usually in vain; to come to naught); strictly nothingness; also trouble. Vanity, wickedness; specifically an idol -- affliction, evil, false, idol, iniquity, mischief, mourners(-ing), naught, sorrow, unjust, unrighteous, vain,vanity, wicked(-ness). Compare 'ayin.
see HEBREW 'ayin
Wow, what a combination there. Rebellion is quite a slap in the face to God! Who are we, as His creations, to usurp Him or His authority? It is quite an offense to Him, its deep! Is there any wonder why He detests such things?
If we claim to be his people, saved, redeemed and set free from sin by His only begotten Son Jesus Christ, how can we honestly refuse to honor, listen and obey? In all seriousness, this isn't a matter He takes lightly. As a matter of fact, the rest of the verse we're looking at reveals the deep consequences.
"...Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice." 1 Samuel 15:23-24
Saul placed his desire to please the people rather than obeying the Word of the Lord. It not only cost him his position in leadership and authority but also his relationship with God! Wow! His rewards for this rebellion resulted in ruin!
Truth is there are many more accounts in Scripture of rebellion and its rewards. After all, it's a byproduct of our sin nature. May we carefully and prayerfully consider this incredibly important account in scripture as well as the thought provoking words of Tozer. Can you see the dangers in the rewards of rebellion both physically and spiritually?
