Can You Have Your Cake and Eat It Too? ∙∙

Can You Have Your Cake and Eat It Too? ∙∙

I, the LORD, will answer all those . . . who reject me and set up idols in their hearts and so fall into sin, and who then come to a prophet asking for my advice. I will turn against such people . . .. – Ezekiel 14:7-8

1 Samuel 15:9-14

Saul and his men spared Agag’s life and kept the best of the sheep and goats, the cattle, the fat calves, and the lambs – everything, in fact, that appealed to them. They destroyed only what was worthless or of poor quality.

Then the LORD said to Samuel, “I am sorry that I ever made Saul king, for he has not been loyal to me and has refused to obey my command.” Samuel was so deeply moved when he heard this that he cried out to the LORD all night.

When Samuel finally found him, Saul greeted him cheerfully. “May the LORD bless you,” he said. “I have carried out the LORD’s command!” “Then what is all the bleating of sheep and goats and the lowing of cattle I hear?” Samuel demanded.

A Bizarre Case of Cake and Consequences

In Wichita Falls, Texas, an unusual and amusing incident took place when a woman was banned from her local Walmart for a culinary act of defiance. According to police reports, the woman entered the store, went to the bakery section, and started eating half of a cake while walking through the aisles. By the time she reached the checkout, she demanded to pay only half the price, claiming she was buying just half a cake. She refused to pay for the part she had already eaten, which led to her being banned from the store.

This peculiar story serves as a humorous yet striking illustration of the old proverb, “You cannot have your cake and eat it too.” The saying, which dates back centuries, conveys the idea that one cannot simultaneously enjoy the benefits of something while also retaining it. In this case, the woman’s actions epitomized the folly of defying this timeless truth.

It all seems rather contemptible and foolish. We ask, “Who would do such a thing?” Sadly, the answer is that we would.

The Spiritual Parallel: False Piety and Idolatry

While the Walmart incident might seem trivial, it reflects a deeper spiritual truth about human nature. It serves as a metaphor for how people often want the rewards and benefits of their beliefs or values without fully committing to the principles or sacrifices required. Just as the woman tried to enjoy the cake without paying its full price, many people express a desire to love and serve the Father while not fully aligning with His will. This disconnect indicates a lack of true devotion and commitment to their beliefs.

False Piety in Ezekiel’s Time

During the days of the prophet Ezekiel, the people of Judah were guilty of a similar kind of duplicity. Outwardly, they seemed to serve the Lord, but their hearts were far from Him. Instead of being motivated by love for the Father and His Word, their hearts were filled with idols, false substitutes that took priority over their relationship with God. Their actions were characterized by arrogance, delusion, and a tragic lack of true devotion.

The leaders of Judah, in particular, exemplified this false piety. They approached Ezekiel seeking guidance from the Lord, but their motives were insincere. Instead of gaining the insight they wanted, they received a stern rebuke. Ezekiel revealed their sinful attitudes and the idolatry rooted in their hearts.

Ezekiel 14:7-8: “I, the LORD, will answer all those, who reject me and set up idols in their hearts and so fall into sin, and who then come to a prophet asking for my advice. I will turn against such people.”

Really?The arrogance of Judah’s leaders was astounding. They sought the Lord’s counsel while simultaneously rejecting Him in their hearts. Instead of welcoming them, the Father declared that He would set His face against them, exposing their hypocrisy and rebellion.

A Call to Wholehearted Devotion

The story of Judah’s leaders serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers of false piety and divided loyalty. Just as the woman in Walmart tried to manipulate the situation to her advantage, we can also fall into the trap of following the Father’s plan only so far, allowing our own desires to take precedence when it suits us.

The Father calls us to serve Him with undivided hearts, free from the idols and distractions that compete for our attention. Anything less than total devotion is inadequate.

In Ezekiel 14:1-5, the Lord’s rebuke through Ezekiel emphasizes the importance of examining our hearts and removing anything that obstructs our relationship with Him. True devotion requires more than outward appearances; it demands an all-consuming love for the Father and His Word.

REFLECT & PRAY

When it comes to following the Father’s plan, we often stop short and compromise by replacing it with our own ideas.

Father, I long to serve You with my whole heart. Help me to remove anything that competes with my devotion to You. Just enough will not do; encourage me to follow You fully and faithfully.

INSIGHT

The Consequences of Partial Obedience

When the Father gives a command, He expects complete obedience, not partial compliance. The story of King Saul in 1 Samuel 15 serves as a sobering reminder of the unexpected and far-reaching consequences of substituting our own plans for the Father’s. Saul’s tragic failure to fully follow the Lord’s instructions reveals the dangers of rationalizing disobedience and shows the futility of blame-shifting.

Saul’s Disobedience and Rationalization

Through the prophet Samuel, the Lord gave King Saul a clear and direct command: to completely destroy the Amalekites, Israel’s sworn enemy, along with all their possessions. However, Saul decided that partial obedience would be enough. Instead of fully following the Lord’s instructions, he spared King Agag and kept the best of the livestock, destroying only what was weak or of little value.

1 Samuel 15:9: “Saul and his men spared Agag’s life and kept the best of the sheep and goats, the cattle, the fat calves, and the lambs, everything, in fact, that appealed to them. They destroyed only what was worthless or of poor quality.”

When confronted by Samuel, Saul greeted him cheerfully, claiming to have carried out the Lord’s command. But Samuel immediately exposed the truth.

1 Samuel 15:13-14: “Saul greeted him cheerfully. ‘May the LORD bless you,’ he said. ‘I have carried out the LORD’s command!’ ‘Then what is all the bleating of sheep and goats and the lowing of cattle I hear?’ Samuel demanded.”

Caught in his disobedience, Saul began to rationalize his actions. He blamed his soldiers for sparing the best livestock, insisting it was for a noble purpose, to sacrifice to the Lord. However, his excuses only exposed his lack of personal responsibility and his failure to honor the Lord’s command.

1 Samuel 15:15: “It’s true that the army spared the best of the sheep, goats, and cattle,” Saul admitted. “But they are going to sacrifice them to the LORD your God. We have destroyed everything else.”

The Lord’s Rebuke Through Samuel

Samuel’s response to Saul’s excuses was direct and uncompromising. He reminded Saul that the Lord values obedience over sacrifice and submission over offerings. Partial obedience, Samuel declared, is not obedience at all; it is rebellion.

1 Samuel 15:22-23: “But Samuel replied, ‘What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams. Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness is as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the command of the LORD, he has rejected you as king.’”

This rebuke was a devastating blow to Saul. His rebellion was likened to witchcraft, and his obstinacy was deemed no better than worshiping idols. The Lord’s standards are much higher than human reasoning, and Saul’s failure to meet them cost him dearly.

The Consequences of Saul’s Actions

Saul’s disobedience had immediate and lasting consequences. Samuel informed him that the Lord had rejected him as king and would give the kingdom to someone else, someone better suited to lead.

1 Samuel 15:28: “And Samuel said to him, ‘The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to someone else, one who is better than you.’”

Despite Saul’s admission of guilt and his plea for forgiveness, the damage was done. His failure to fully obey the Lord’s command revealed a heart that prioritized human approval over divine authority.

1 Samuel 15:24: “Then Saul admitted to Samuel, ‘Yes, I have sinned. I have disobeyed your instructions and the LORD’s command, for I was afraid of the people and did what they demanded.’”

The Weight of Partial Obedience

The story of Saul underscores a critical truth: partial obedience is not obedience at all. It is rebellion, defiance, and a rejection of the Father’s authority. Samuel’s words make it clear that the Lord does not accept excuses or rationalizations. His ways are higher than ours, and His standards are absolute.

1 Samuel 15:23: “Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness is as bad as worshiping idols.”

The Scriptures challenge us to examine our own hearts and actions. Are we fully submitting to the Father’s will, or are we offering Him only partial obedience? The Lord desires complete devotion, not half-hearted compliance. Anything less is rebellion in His eyes.

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