Shama‘: Obedience

“Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams” (1Samuel 15:22c)

Have you ever said “yes” to a parent, spouse, or boss, but afterward you still did things according to “your own version”? On your lips it’s “okay,” but in practice it doesn’t exactly match what they asked or commanded.

In the Bible there is a Hebrew word: shama‘, which means not only “to hear,” but also to obey. In other words, it’s not a command that merely “enters the ear,” but a command that is carried out.

Derived from shama‘ is the imperative shema‘ (“hear!”). In Jewish theology, this imperative becomes a core creed, rooted in Deuteronomy 6:4, “Hear, O Israel!” The point of this command is, of course, not only to hear, but to hear and live according to what is heard.

That is why, when a scribe asked the Lord Jesus about the greatest commandment (Mark 12:28–29), Jesus began by quoting Deuteronomy 6:4.

Saul: “I heard, but…”

In 1 Samuel 15, King Saul received a clear command from God. Saul moved, fought, and even won. At a glance, it looked like “obedience.”

But it turns out Saul kept what should not have been kept. Saul chose the “best” things and saved what was beneficial, then said, “This is for an offering.” It sounds spiritual, but the core issue is this: Saul still wanted to stay in control.

Then Samuel rebuked him with words that strike all of us:

“Surely, to obey (shama‘) is better than sacrifice” (v. 22c).

The meaning is this: God prefers an obedience that is simple and whole-hearted toward His word, rather than rituals that follow our own desires.

Isn’t it true that today many people worship, but their focus is on satisfying themselves? They may look devout in praise and worship, but when the worship style or song choices don’t match their “taste,” they quickly conclude, “I can’t feel a spiritual touch in worship here or today.”

Worship is an expression of our obedience to God, not a tool to satisfy our spiritual cravings. Worship trains us to obey the given order of worship, rather than forcing “our version” so that we feel “fulfilled.”

What does shama‘ obedience look like?

So, shama‘ means obeying even when it isn’t always comfortable, obeying without many self-justifying excuses, and obeying because we believe God is good—not merely because we are afraid.

Obedience is not merely “following rules,” but surrendering ourselves to the love and authority of God, who knows what is best.

In daily life, we are also trained to obey the authorities around us: government, leaders, parents, the head of the household, and so on. For as we learn to obey visible authority, we will also obey the authority of God, who is invisible. Amen!

WORSHIP IS AN EXPRESSION OF OUR OBEDIENCE TO GOD, NOT A TOOL TO SATISFY OUR SPIRITUAL CRAVINGS