Paul’s teachings were neither hypocritical, nor paradoxical. The Fifth Commandment states that we are to honor our parents. Children are commanded to obey their parents even when they disagree with them. To obey their parents is to obey God. Let’s say a parent tells a child to steal, should the child comply? Of course not. The child is obeying God by not stealing, even though the child has to disobey the parents. The parent’s authority comes from God, so it cannot trump God.
One may argue that a parent telling their child to steal is a crime where as men fighting and giving their lives for their children’s life and liberty is honorable. God wants all to have life and liberty but it must be asked; does God take pleasure in our freedom and liberty as much as he does in our obedience?
The same question was asked by King Samuel in 1 Samuel 15 when he rebuked Saul for sparing the best of the sheep, oxen and lambs. God instructed Saul to “Go and utterly destroy the sinners…until they are exterminated.” Saul defended himself before Samuel by saying, “the choicest of things devoted to destruction, to sacrifice to the LORD your God”. Samuel then said, “Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice”. “For rebellion is as the sin of divination and insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry.”
Obedience is the best we can offer.
One may argue that a parent telling their child to steal is a crime where as men fighting and giving their lives for their children’s life and liberty is honorable. God wants all to have life and liberty but it must be asked; does God take pleasure in our freedom and liberty as much as he does in our obedience?
The same question was asked by King Samuel in 1 Samuel 15 when he rebuked Saul for sparing the best of the sheep, oxen and lambs. God instructed Saul to “Go and utterly destroy the sinners…until they are exterminated.” Saul defended himself before Samuel by saying, “the choicest of things devoted to destruction, to sacrifice to the LORD your God”. Samuel then said, “Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice”. “For rebellion is as the sin of divination and insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry.”
Obedience is the best we can offer.
