- Foreword
- Ellen G. White A Brief Biographical Sketch
- Faith in God
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- Parental Responsibility
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- Treasure in Heaven
- The Shaking
- God's Proving
- Houses of Worship
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- Surety for Unbelievers
- Oath Taking
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- Our Denominational Name
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- The Future
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- The Prayer of David
- Proper Observance of the Sabbath
- Life Insurance
- Health and Religion
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- Wiles of Satan
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- Christian Zeal
- Responsibilities of the Young
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- Why God Reproves His Own People
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- Christian Recreation
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- Unbalanced Minds
- Faithfulness in Home Duties
- Vain Thoughts
- Consideration for the Erring
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- The Health Reform
- Danger of Applause
- Labor for the Erring
- Love and Duty
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- The Power of Prayer in Temptation
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- Worldly Interests and Heavenly Treasures
- The Galling Yoke of Selfishness
- The Parable of the Talents
- Self-Denial and Sacrifice
- The Tithing System
- Co-workers With God
- From the Days of Adam
- A Tenth of the Increase
- No Irksome Burden
- Treasure on Earth
- For Man's Benefit
- Accountability of the Poor
- A Caution to the Wealthy
- Undivided Allegiance
- The Blessing of Benevolence
- Into All the World
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- The Efficacy of Christ's Blood
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- Grafted Into Christ
- A Lesson in Humility
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- Duty of Parents to the College
- College Students
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- Faithful Workers
- Into the Maze of Skepticism
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- Simplicity in Dress
- The Wedding Ring
- Forming Character
Unquestioning Obedience
God requires prompt and unquestioning obedience of His law; but men are asleep or paralyzed by the deceptions of Satan, who suggests excuses and subterfuges, and conquers their scruples, saying as he said to Eve in the garden: “Ye shall not surely die.” Genesis 3:4. Disobedience not only hardens the heart and conscience of the guilty one, but it tends to corrupt the faith of others. That which looked very wrong to them at first, gradually loses this appearance by being constantly before them, till finally they question whether it is really sin and unconsciously fall into the same error.1TT 486.1
Through Samuel, God commanded Saul to go and smite the Amalekites and utterly destroy all their possessions. But Saul only partially obeyed the command; he destroyed the inferior cattle, but reserved the best and spared the wicked king. The next day he met the prophet Samuel with flattering self-congratulations. Said he: “Blessed be thou of the Lord: I have performed the commandment of the Lord.” But the prophet immediately answered: “What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?” 1 Samuel 15:13, 14.1TT 486.2
Saul was confused and sought to shirk responsibility by answering: “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.” Verse 15. Samuel then reproved the king, reminding him of the explicit command of God directing him to destroy all things belonging to Amalek. He pointed out his transgression and declared that he had disobeyed the Lord. But Saul refused to acknowledge that he had done wrong; he again excused his sin by pleading that he had reserved the best cattle to sacrifice unto the Lord.1TT 486.3
Samuel was grieved to the heart by the persistency with which the king refused to see and confess his sin. He sorrowfully asked: “Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. 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.” Verses 22, 23.1TT 487.1