Proverbs: The Fear of the Lord and Wisdom: The Doctrine of Election

Objective Standard vs. a Subjective Standard

Transcript: AI Transcript

Professor: John Weaver

Subject: Old Testament Studies

Genre: Sermon

Dictation Name:

Date: 2004-09-12

Synopsis: John Weaver contrasts God's objective standard (His Word) with man's subjective standard (personal reasoning and desires). Using 1 Samuel 15, he shows how Saul's partial obedience, driven by pride and covetousness, was rebellion and idolatry. The sermon emphasizes that the Bible is the sole authority for faith and practice, and departing from it leads to personal and societal destruction.

[John Weaver] Today, I'm going to be bringing a message entitled Objective Standard versus a Subjective Standard. 1 Samuel, chapter 15, beginning there with verse 1. Samuel also said unto Saul, The Lord sent me to anoint thee to be king over his people, over Israel.

[John Weaver] Now therefore, hearken thou to the voice of the words of the Lord. Thus saith the Lord of hosts. I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid weight for him in the way when he came up from Egypt. Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not. But slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass."

[John Weaver] And Saul gathered the people together and numbered them in Tilaim, 200,000 footmen and 10,000 men of Judah. And Saul came to a city of Amalek and laid weight in the valley. And Saul said unto the Kenites, Go, depart, get you down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them, for you showed kindness to all the children of Israel when they came up out of Egypt. So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites. And Saul smoked the Amalekites from Havilah till thou comest to Shur, that is over against Egypt. And he took Agag, king of the Amalekites, alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword. But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and of the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them, but everything that was vile and refuse that they destroyed utterly. Then came the word of the Lord unto Samuel, saying, It repented me that I set up Saul to be king, for he has turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments.

[John Weaver] And it grieved Samuel, and he cried unto the Lord all night. And when Samuel arose early to meet Saul in the morning, it was told Samuel, saying, Saul came to Carmel, and, behold, he set him up a place, and it is going about, and he passed on and gone down to Gilgal. And Samuel came to Saul, and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the Lord, I perform the commandment of the Lord. And Samuel said, What meaneth them this blading of the sheep in mine ears, and the loining of the oxen which I hear? And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites, For the people spare the best of the sheep, and have the option to sacrifice the Lord by God, and the rest we have utterly destroyed. Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what the Lord hath said to me this night.

[John Weaver] He said unto him, Say, O. And Samuel said, When thou wast little of thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel? And the Lord anointed thee king over Israel. And the Lord sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed. Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the Lord? But it is fly upon the spoil, and it is evil in the sight of the Lord. And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the Lord, and have gone in the way which the Lord sent me, and have brought Agag the king of the Amalek, utterly destroyed the Amalekites. But the people took of the spoil, the sheep, and the oxen, and the sheep of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the Lord thy God in Gilgal." And Samuel said,"...hath the Lord his great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord.

[John Weaver] 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 I have rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king." I told you the message today was entitled, Objective Standard versus a Subjective Standard. Most Christians have never thought of the importance of the word of God as an objective standard. The truth is, most Christians have never even consciously thought of their need of a standard, much less an objective one. When we talk about an objective standard, we're referring to a standard that is outside of oneself. An objective standard is one that is not influenced by the fall, not affected by the fall, and therefore, it is not influenced by the sin, desires, lust, and evil propensities. Now, a subjective standard Therefore, is one that is based upon one's own thoughts, his rationalism, his own desires, and is influenced and affected by many forces. It is impossible to be objective from a subjective basis.

[John Weaver] Let me repeat that. You don't think that's very profound, but listen to it. It is impossible to be objective from a subjective basis. Everyone by nature believes himself to be the true source of right and wrong. In other words, many times we think we aren't objective and we think we have the truth when in reality we have nothing. I can demonstrate what I've just said to you very easily. If I were to say let's take some suggestions, let's take some ideas about a project that I have in mind and everyone in here makes a suggestion and everyone gives an idea. The truth is you always like your idea and your suggestion better than anyone else's. That's human nature. We always like to think that we're right and that we have the truth and that we have everything on our side.

[John Weaver] Let me tell you what the Bible says in Proverbs 18 and verse 17. The Word of God says, He that is first in his own cause seemeth just, but his neighbor cometh and searcheth him out. Now, listen carefully. He that is first in his own cause seemeth just, but his neighbor cometh and searcheth him out. In other words, what the Scripture is saying is this. We can very easily rationalize our needs, our desires, and our ways and we rationalize them in such a way that they seem right and just to us. But then our neighbor comes along who sees things just a little differently and maybe is a little more objective and he searches out the matter and then we realize we thought we were right but in reality we were wrong. Let me go a little bit further. Because in Proverbs chapter 12 and verse 15, the Bible says, The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. Now listen carefully. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes.

[John Weaver] See, that's one of the marks of being a fool. He refuses to receive instruction. He believes he already knows everything. Therefore, he doesn't need to be taught anything. So the way of a fool then is right in his own eyes, but he that hearkens to counsel is wise. In Proverbs 21 in verse 2, the Lord goes further and he tells us this, every way of man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord pondereth the heart. Every way of man is right in his own eyes, but it's the Lord who ponders the heart. So our ways are not necessarily right just because they are our ways.

[John Weaver] Now, look in your Bibles. I've been quoting those verses. But look in your Bibles, Deuteronomy chapter 12 and verse 8. Deuteronomy 12 verse 8. Look at what the Bible says. Look what God declares. Deuteronomy 12 verse 8. You shall not do after all the things that we do here this day every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes." What is God saying? You are not to follow, nor are you to have a subjective standard. You're not to do every man what is right in his own eyes.

[John Weaver] Now, let me just quote a passage to you that probably most of you can quote, but there are certain things I want to emphasize. Do you remember the passage in Proverbs 3, verses 5-7? Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not to thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy path. Be not wise in thine own eyes, fear the Lord, and depart from evil. Now listen to what he says, lean not to thine own understanding.

[John Weaver] Don't have a subjective standard. Be not wise in thine own eyes. Do not have a subjective standard.

[John Weaver] Now, let me show you why this is so important. When we're talking about an objective standard, that which is outside of us, and then we're talking about a subjective standard, that which is on the inside of us, whether it's our desires, our lusts, our thoughts, our understanding, It is still a subjective standard. In reality, what you have is this. You have a contest between God and man.

[John Weaver] Let me put it another way. You have a contest between the wisdom of God and the wisdom of man. Now, in reality, it is not a contest because God's wisdom is infinite and man is finite. But the truth is, because of the fall and because of our fall in nature, in the mind of man, we think that what we think and what we know is equal to what God knows and what God thinks, and that our thoughts are just as valid as His, and that our standards are just as valid as Him. In other words, we believe by nature that we know what is best for ourselves.

[John Weaver] Now, in essence, what a subjective standard does is this. It dethrones God and enthrones man. Look in your Bibles to 2 Corinthians chapter 10. Here's the passage I've quoted to you innumerable times since I have been preaching to you. Notice 2 Corinthians chapter 10 and verse 5. Once again, this shows you the absolute necessity of an objective standard, and it also shows you the rebellion of a subjective standard. In 2 Corinthians 10, verse 5, the Bible says, casting down imaginations and every high thing or every high thought that exalted itself against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Note, if you would, casting down imaginations and every high thing or every high thought that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. Note, it exalts itself against the knowledge of God and bringing every thought, he says, into the obedience of Jesus Christ. Once again, what the Word of God is demonstrating to us is our absolute need for an objective standard. So when you and I rely upon a subjective standard instead of God's objective standard, what we're doing is that we're exalting ourselves against God.

[John Weaver] And we're exalting our knowledge above God's knowledge. We deny God's standard that we might exalt our own standard. Listen carefully to what I'm about to say. The real reason, this is foundational, the real reason there is so much criticism, contempt, and hatred manifested toward God and His law is right here. If we confess that God is God, and His law, His word is truth, and it is to be our standard, we deny our own Godhood, and we deny our own selves. So, in order to manifest our Godhood, and that no right will curse and deny God and His law. At the very heart of every subjective standard is a denial of God and His law. We either must condemn God or He condemns us. We have to deny God in order to establish our own deity and our own self as God.

[John Weaver] Now, how in the world do people justify such unbiblical and ungodly attitudes? Well, let me show you. Look in your Bibles to 2 Corinthians 10 and verse 12, since you're already there. One of the ways that people justify such unbiblical attitudes and actions is by comparing oneself with others. 2 Corinthians 10 and verse 12, for we dare not make ourselves of the number or compare ourselves with that sum that commend themselves, but they measuring themselves by themselves and comparing themselves among themselves are not wise.

[John Weaver] Now, what is this talking about? It's talking about having a false measure. You are very easily deceived if you have a false measure. Or you are very easily made confident if you have a false measure. By that I mean this. If you compare yourselves among other people, or among some people, you have a very foolish standard. What am I talking about? Suppose I looked around this room and I said, I've got news for you.

[John Weaver] I can whip Brother Ernie. I can whip him. Well, I might could whip him if my back helped out. But just because I can whip him doesn't mean I can whip every man in this room. So therefore, I could say, well, I'm stronger than Brother Ernie. I'm better fighter than Brother Ernie. What does that prove? Absolutely nothing, because Ernie is not my standard.

[John Weaver] Now, let me show you, this is vitally important. I discovered this week that I can jump 50 feet high. You say, Brother Weaver, you can't do that. Sure I can. If you let me define a foot, I can lift a thousand pounds. If you let me define a pound, as long as I can make my own standard, I can do or be whatever I want to do or be. I can be just as holy and just as righteous and just as godly as I want to be, as long as I'm holy and just and righteous and godly according to my standard. But when you measure yourself against an objective standard, you may not measure up. Now, you see the importance of what I'm trying to say. There is an objective standard, which is the Word of God.

[John Weaver] And then there are all these subjective standards. Look in your Bibles, if you would please, to the book of Galatians, chapter 6. Galatians, chapter 6. And notice verse 16 of what the Apostle Paul says. Galatians 6 and verse 16. Galatians 6, verse 16. The Apostle Paul says, and as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them and mercy upon the Israel of God.

[John Weaver] Now, I've told you this before. I hope you remember it. When the Apostle Paul says, as many as walk according to this rule, the word rule is very important. It is the Greek word kainon. It is where we get our English word canon, C-A-N-O-N. Not C-A-N-N-O-N, that's the kind that fires. C-A-N-N-O-N, we talk about the canon of scripture, or we talk about the Old Testament canon, or the New Testament canon, or canon law, the scriptural law. You know what the word canon means? It means a rule. It means a measuring rod, a measuring stick. Now look what the Apostle Paul said, and as many as walk according to this rule, that is the Word of God, this measuring stick, this measuring tape, peace be upon them and upon the Israel of God. God has His own standard. God has His own measuring stick. He has His own measuring rod. And as many as walk according to this rule, this measuring stick, peace be upon them and mercy upon the Israel of God.

[John Weaver] So one of the ways we justify our subjective standard is by comparing ourselves with everyone else and building for ourselves a false standard. A second way that we foolishly justify biblical attitudes and actions is by believing the devil's line in Genesis 3, verse 5. Look back there. Let me show you this verse, Genesis 3, verse 5. Because it's the impact of what is taught here, that is vitally important. Look in Genesis 3 and verse 5.

[John Weaver] The serpent says to the woman, for God doth know that in the day that you eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened and you shall be as God's, knowing good and evil. Now the word knowing in the Hebrew has the force of determining. Literally what he says is this, for God does not know the day that you eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened and you shall be as God's, determining for yourself good and evil.

[John Weaver] In other words, you will have your own standard. You don't need God's objective standard. You can determine for yourself right and wrong, good and evil. Isn't that amazing? God came in the garden and gave Adam an objective standard. And here comes a serpent with his temptation and says, you don't need God's objective standard. You can have your own standard. You can determine for yourself what is right and what is wrong.

[John Weaver] Do you realize the truth is most Christians actually believe the serpent's lie? At least They act as if they believe the serpents lie because their lives are so unscriptural, unbiblical, ungodly, and unholy. So we justify our unbiblical and ungodly actions either by comparing ourselves with someone else, which is a false standard, or by believing that we are a standard in and of ourselves.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to look carefully with me at 1 Samuel, chapter 15. In 1 Samuel, chapter 15, you have a clear cut illustration of man's wisdom pitted against God's wisdom. 1 Samuel, chapter 15, I want you to listen carefully to what I'm about to say. I want you to mark this down one way or the other. Wherever and whenever man's wisdom is allowed to triumph, the determination of good and evil, right and wrong, what's best and what is not best, is completely subjective. Now, I tell you what, before we look at 1 Samuel 15, hold that, we're coming right back.

[John Weaver] Turn in your Bible, Psalm 82. Let me show you. Let me show you the devastation and destruction of a subjective standard. If I were to ask you, please don't laugh, but if I were to ask you, are we in a mess in this country, what would you answer me? Yes. If I were to ask you, are we in a mess judicially in this country, what would you answer? Yes. Economically? Yes. Governmentally? Yes. Now, watch this very carefully in Psalm 82. Psalm 82 is an entire psalm against the judicial system.

[John Weaver] Look what he says, God stands in the congregation of the mighty, he judges among the gods. Now, the gods are the civil rulers, without me going into the background to prove that, but I can do so. But he's talking about the civil rulers. Now watch, he is singling out judges specifically. How long will you judge unjustly and accept the persons of the wicked? In other words, they're letting the wicked go for bribes or for whatever reason. God tells them in verse 3, Defend the poor and the fatherless.

[John Weaver] Do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy. Rid them out of the hand of the wicked. This is what God tells them, but He says they know not. That's the judges. Neither will they understand. They walk on in darkness. All the foundations of the earth are out of course.

[John Weaver] Now, what happens when you have a judicial system that will not abide by an objective standard? God says it turns the world upside down. All the foundations of the earth are out of course. You know how things are being turned upside down in this country and in all the other countries? Do you know why? Because we have left the objective standard of the Word of God. There was a time in our country when judges issued rulings based upon the Bible. Juries issued rulings based upon the Bible. And when, you know, the judge walks in and the bailiff says, All rise. You know how that began? Because the judges initially came into the courtroom carrying Bibles. And men rose out of respect for the Word of God. Now they kick out the Bible and want you to rise in respect for the man. What has happened? The foundations of the world have, of course, everything's turned upside down. Now, go back to 1 Samuel 15, because I want you to see when men determine and act as they please, in contradiction to the Word of God, what they're doing is basically turning life upside down.

[John Weaver] Look in 1 Samuel 15. Very quickly, they only have about three points. The first one is a plain command. You're going to find this in the first three verses. a plain command. First of all, look in verse 1, you have a sober reminder. Samuel also said unto Saul, The Lord sent me to anoint thee to be king over his people, over Israel.

[John Weaver] Now therefore, hearken thou unto the voice of the words of the Lord. I want you to remember that Saul was anointed king. And when Samuel is talking to Saul, he is reminding Saul that God anointed him and God raised him up that he might do God's bidding. He wants to be God's representative. And Samuel is reminding Saul of this singular fact. He says, The Lord sent me to anoint thee to be king over Israel. Now therefore, watch what he says, hearken thou unto the voice of the words of the Lord. Listen to God. Now, all men have a responsibility to hearken to and obey the Word of God. But may I point out that men in positions of trust and authority have a greater responsibility to hearken to the Word of God. You know what our Lord said in Luke 12 and verse 48? He says, for unto whom much is given, more shall be required, or of him shall much be required. If you've been given much, God says much more is going to be required of you.

[John Weaver] So if you've been given a position of power, or authority, or trust, God is going to hold you more accountable. In the book of James, chapter 3 and verse 1, James gives us the same truth, but only in a different light. He says, it's, my brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. Be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. Or be not many teachers, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

[John Weaver] Now, if you were to wake up in the morning and read on the morning newspaper headlines, Ed Wolf arrested robbing a bank. That'd be bad, wouldn't it? I mean, Ed knows better. But you know what would be worse than that? To read the headlines, Pastor John Weaver arrested robbing a bank. Why? Because I am responsible to teach you what's right. And God has given me that position of trust. And if I then turn around and abuse it, I'm more accountable and more responsible. And God says I'll receive the greater condemnation.

[John Weaver] So Samuel comes to Saul. And he said, Saul, you better remember, God raised you up. God anointed you. Therefore, you hearken unto him." Each of us are answerable and accountable unto God, but rulers are more accountable because they have received positions of trust and authority. Therefore, says God, they're going to receive the greater condemnation. So in this plain command, he comes, first of all, with a sober reminder.

[John Weaver] Notice, secondly, in verse 2, a solemn remembrance. Thus saith the Lord of Hosts, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid weight for him in the way when he came up from Egypt." You know, I find it amazing and sometimes amusing as well as interesting that sometimes some of the most comforting words of the Bible can also be some of the most devastating and destructive words of the Bible. You know three words that are very simple, very beautiful, very comforting, very consoling to the child of God can be full of consternation for the unbeliever. What three words? And God remembers. And God remembered. Do you remember the Bible says that in Genesis 8 verse 1 concerning Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth and their wives and God remembered. And then concerning Rachel in Genesis 30 when God was to bless her and God remembered Rachel. And how about this one in Exodus chapter 2 verse 24 and God remembered his covenant. Ah. But now the Bible says, thus saith the Florida Post, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel.

[John Weaver] Do you realize God remembers his people for good? He remembers his enemies for destruction. God remembered what Amalek did to Israel.

[John Weaver] Now it is time to reward him for his wickedness. And the amazing thing is this, folks. That which Amalek did to Israel had been 400 years earlier. Look in your Bibles to Deuteronomy 25, whole first Samuel, Deuteronomy 25, and notice verse 8. Deuteronomy 25, verse 8. Deuteronomy 25, I believe it is. Let's see.

[John Weaver] No, that's not. That's not the correct verse. It is verse 17. Deuteronomy 25 verse 17. Remember what Amalek did to thee by the way when you were come out of Egypt. How he met thee by the way, and smote behind most of thee, even all that were feeble behind thee, when thou wast faint and weary, and he feared not God. Note, if you would please, he remembered what Amalek did. hundred years later.

[John Weaver] God's paydays are not always on Friday. And just because people are not smitten instantly does not mean that God is not going to smite them. So the Bible says God remembered what Amalek did. And now it's time to pay Amalek back. So look in verse 3 of 1 Samuel 15. And notice, if you would please, a serious requirement. This is still the plain command. Notice, if you would please, 1 Samuel 15 verse 3. Here's the serious requirement. God tells Saul, now go and smite Amalek.

[John Weaver] and utterly destroy all that they have and spare them not, but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass." Now in giving his plain command, God issues this serious requirement. Utterly destroy the Amalekites. Man, woman, children, ox, ass, camel, sheep, kill them all. Don't leave anything breathing. Spare no one, spare nothing. God's just wrath and vengeance was to be executed upon all.

[John Weaver] There were to be no exceptions. Let me ask you, how could such a plain command be misunderstood? It could not be. God said, I want you to smite every one of them. Kill them all. Note, secondly, in this passage, a proper consideration. Verses four through seven. And Saul gathered the people together, numbered them in Tilaim, 200,000 footmen and 10,000 men of Judah. And Saul came to the city of Amalek and laid wait in the valley. Saul said to the Kenites, Go depart and get you down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them. For you showed kindness to all the children of Israel when they came up out of Egypt. So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites, and Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah till thou comest to Shur, that is, over against Egypt." Now, in light of the plain command, Saul does three things that demonstrate a proper consideration of the order that he had been given.

[John Weaver] First, he gathers his army in verse 4. He gathers 210,000 footmen.

[John Weaver] Now let me tell you, if you're going to exterminate an entire people, you need an army adequate to do the task. So he gathered an army of 210,000 footmen. The second thing he does is this. He requests that the Kenites, with whom he does not wish to fight, to remove themselves from danger. He remembers it was the Kenites that showed kindness to the children of Israel. And since the Kenites were not listed in God's command for extermination, it was only right that war was not to be made against them.

[John Weaver] So he asked them to please get out of the way. Now, here's a principle, folks, and I believe this principle is exceedingly clear. You do not make war upon the innocent or upon those who are not involved in the conflict. You make war only upon the enemies. You make war upon the soldiers. You don't make war upon innocent people. The Kenites had done nothing wrong. They were not under God's judgment. And so, rightly, He told them to get out of the way.

[John Weaver] And Saul's proper consideration was this. He began by obeying God. Look at verse 7. And Saul smoked the Amalekites from Havilah until thou comest to Shur that is over against Egypt. He actually began by obeying God. He actually began smiting the Amalekites. But you read the entire story with me. And one is reminded of what Paul asked those Galatians in Galatians 5 and verse 7. He says, you did run well.

[John Weaver] Who did hinder you that you should not obey the truth? The Lord's what Paul told the Galatians, you started out good, but why did you stop? Saul started out by obeying God, but he stopped. It is not enough to begin well, we must also finish well.

[John Weaver] Isn't it amazing that we start so many things and never finish them? Isn't that amazing? And we even do that in our own Christian life. It's not enough to start well, we must finish well. It's not sufficient to run well at the beginning of the race. We must run well throughout the race and to the end of the race.

[John Weaver] Now, the interesting thing is this. If we're going to run the race at all, we must run according to the rules of the race. It's just like if I said we're going to have a foot race around 10 blocks. Let's start. And everyone in this congregation began racing with me and I got one block up and then I cut across and came around and I'm the first one at the finish line. Did I win the race? Well, I got there before anyone else. But no, I didn't win the race because I cheated. I never followed the course of the race.

[John Weaver] You know what the Bible says in 2 Timothy 2 and verse 5? Listen. And if a man also strive for masteries, yet he is not crowned except he strive lawfully. So if you and I are going to fight, if you and I are going to obey, if you and I are going to do anything that's biblical and right, we must follow the rules that God has laid down for us.

[John Weaver] Now, God said, Saul, here's a simple thing for you to do. You go kill all the Amalekites. And he actually started out by obeying God. He smoked those Amalekites from Havilah until thou comest to Shur. But here's the third thing, and then I'm going to tie it together for you. I want you to see a personal catastrophe. In verses 8 through 23, something went seriously wrong. Saul began well, but he finished miserably. Instead of obedience to the plain command and in light of the proper consideration, he fell into a personal catastrophe. Why? Let's ask that question. Why did Saul fail? Why did Saul disobey? Why did Saul deviate? from the plain command that he had been given. Here's the answer to that question.

[John Weaver] Because he left God's objective standard and followed his own subjective standard. Now look what happened. Verse 8. And he took Agag, the king of the Amalekites, and utterly destroyed all the people at the edge of the sword, but Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and of the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them, but everything that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly. You see, Saul did not see anything wrong with sparing Agag the king.

[John Weaver] I mean, after all, he was royalty. Saul did not see anything wrong with sparing the best of the sheep, and the best of the oxen, and the best of the fat lambs. Oh, anything that was vile and refuse, oh yes, we'll destroy all of that. Why would God want me to destroy this perfectly good sheep? I mean, after all, this is a valuable animal. If one sheep is valuable, how about a thousand good sheep? And if one cow is good, how about 10,000 good cows? God, you, you, you, I would have made a mistake here. I mean, surely you would not want me to eradicate all this good stuff. Let me ask you, in whose eyes was it good? Saul's and the people's. One good in God's eyes, but as good in theirs eyes.

[John Weaver] You know, inevitably, someone ring an objection and say, but now, Pastor, the people also spared those animals. Saul may have spared the king, and yes, Saul may have spared some of those animals, but the Bible does say the people spared some of those things. Yes, it does. But you must remember that Saul was the leader. Saul was the king. And if you go back to chapter 15 and verse 1, the word of the Lord came specifically to Saul. The people may have wondered or the people may have had to have guessed or thought, but Saul knew. He knew exactly what God had said. It was his responsibility to tell the people. Saul did not have to guess, he did not have to question, he did not have to think, neither did the people. All Saul and the people had to do was simply to obey. Why did Saul fail?

[John Weaver] The answer is very simple. He left the objective standard of God's Word and followed his own subjective standard. He was going to be the one that determined good and evil. He was going to be the one that determined right and wrong. He was going to be the one that determined what was pure and what was impure. What was Saul doing? He was playing God. You remember back in Genesis 3, 5? For God doth know that in the days you eat thereof you shall be as God's, knowing that is determining good and evil for yourselves. And what Saul did was this.

[John Weaver] You've vowed to have made a mistake. There's nothing wrong with these sheep. There's nothing wrong with Agag. You know what the Bible says in Isaiah 42, verse 8? Let me quote it. God says, I am the Lord. That is my name. And my glory I will not give to another. Neither my praise to graven images. I am the Lord. That is my name. Are you listening? My glory will I not give to another. When you challenge God, you always lose.

[John Weaver] When you want to pit your puny, subjective standard up against God's holy, righteous, infinite, objective standard, you're going to lose every time. Every single time.

[John Weaver] Now, let me make some applications. I want to show you where we are individually, familially, ecclesiastically, nationally. You could make the applications to every one of those areas. I want you to note that Saul incurred the fierce anger and wrath of God. 1 Samuel 15 verses 10 and 11. Look at it. 1 Samuel 15 verses 10 and 11. Then came the word of the Lord unto Samuel, saying, It repented me that I have set up Saul to be king, for he has turned back and followed me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel, and he cried to the Lord all night. What did Saul incur by turning from God's objective standard to his own subjective standard? He incurred the fierce anger and wrath of God. Now, here's my question. Are you willing individually, familially, ecclesiastically, that is as a church, and then nationally to face the fierce anger of God? It should be obvious that the provocation of God's anger is an outright denial of God's sovereignty.

[John Weaver] I was talking to a friend this week, and he mentioned Hurricane Ivan that was coming up on Florida. I said to my friend, do you think God's trying to say something to those Floridians down there? I said, and then some of the other, I mean, this is three in a row. You know, it never dawns on most people. And I still get so aggravated every time I hear those weathermen talking about Mother Nature. It's not Mother Nature, it's Father God. But whenever we leave God's objective standard and turn to our subjective standard, we incur the fierce anger and wrath of God, because in reality, when we turn to our standard, we're denying His standard. We're saying that we're God, and God has said, My glory I'll not share with another. So you're in trouble. Secondly, are you listening?

[John Weaver] Saul not only lost his kingdom, He lost his life. Look in 1 Samuel 15, beginning there in verse 26. And Samuel said in the psalm, I will not return with thee, for thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord hath rejected thee from being king over Israel. And as Samuel turned about to go away, he laid hold upon the skirt of his mantle, and it And Samuel said unto him, The Lord hath wret the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and given it to a neighbor of thine that is better than thou. Look what he said specifically. Verse 26, And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return unto thee, for thou hast rejected the word of the Lord. You have rejected God's objective standard, and therefore the Lord hath rejected thee from being king over Israel. Isn't that amazing? He lost his kingdom because he thought his ways and his desires and his plans and his thoughts were wiser and better than God's. That's not all. Look in your Bibles to 2 Samuel 1.

[John Weaver] You're talking about justice. Watch this. 2 Samuel 1. Verse 2, It came to pass on the third day that, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul with his clothes, ran and earthed upon his head a short whilst. When he came to David, he fell to the earth and did obeisance. And David said unto him, From whence art thou? He said unto him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped. And David said unto him, How went the matter?

[John Weaver] I pray thee, tell me. And he answered that the people were fled from the battle, and many of the people also were fallen dead, and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also. And David said unto the young man that told him, How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son be dead? And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance upon Mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear, and lo, the chariots and the horsemen followed hard after him. And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and he called unto me, and I answered, Here am I. And he said unto me, Who art thou? And I answered him, I am an Amalekite. He said unto me again, Stand I pray thee upon me and slay me, for anguish is come upon me, because my life is yet whole within me. So I stood upon him and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen.

[John Weaver] And I took the crown that was upon his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and I brought them hither unto my Lord. Saul spared the best, and the best slew Saul. He took the crown off his head, the bracelet off his arm. Let me tell you something, folks. When we turn from God's objective standard, we're in far more danger individually, familially, ecclesiastically, and nationally than you can imagine. Saul lost his kingdom and he lost his life. Why? Because he wouldn't do what he thought was best. Instead of bowing to the totality of God's word. Watch this thirdly.

[John Weaver] Every disobedience involves elements of pride, lust, and covetousness. Go back to verse 16, 1 Samuel 15. Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what the Lord hath said unto me this night. He said, Stay on. And Samuel said, verse 17, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the Lord anointed thee king over Israel? And the Lord sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed. Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the Lord, but didst fly up from the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the Lord? Now let's stop there. Samuel said, Saul, I've got something to say to you. Well, he said, just say oh. He said, when you were little, God made you king. God elevated you. God promoted you. Now you've got to be king. You've become arrogant and proud. And you think you know more than God.

[John Weaver] And so now you've decided you're going to disobey God and obey your own whims. Moreover, when you saw the spoil, you fool upon it. You're nothing but a covetous, greedy, selfish, wicked man. That's to the king. In every disobedience, I don't care what disobedience it is, there are always elements of pride, lust, and covetousness. Why did he leave God's objective standard? Because of his pride and arrogance and because of his covetousness. He wanted what God had condemned. Fourthly, listen carefully. Subjectivism is not simply disobedience.

[John Weaver] It is a form of idolatry. Skip down to verses 22 and 23. After he says Well, we've spared all these sheep and all these oxen that we may sacrifice them unto the Lord. Verse 22, And Samuel said, 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 fad of rams.

[John Weaver] For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and adultery. Because I have rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king. Now he said, rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft. What was the penalty for witchcraft? Death. And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. What was the penalty for idolatry? Death. Subjectivism is not just simply disobedience, it is a form of idolatry, because when we turn from God's objective standard, it is so that we may elevate our own personal standard, and in doing so, we're claiming to be God ourselves.

[John Weaver] Now, listen to this simple statement, and don't ever forget it. The Bible is our sole authority for faith and practice. The Bible is our sole authority for faith and practice. Whatever you do or whatever you shall do that is contrary to the Word of God is wrong. I don't care how it makes you feel. I don't care what your experience is. I don't care how you rejoice in it. If it is contrary to the word of God, it is wrong. Let me leave you with this one statement. We must never allow our experiences to interpret the Bible. We must always use the Bible to interpret our experiences. The Bible is our sole authority for faith and practice.

[John Weaver] You say, Brother Weaver, does your church have a constitution? It sure does. What is it? The Bible. Does your church have a covenant? It sure does. What is it? The Bible. If your church has standards of conduct, we surely do. What is it? The Bible. The Bible is our sole authority for faith and practice. And when we leave that objective standard, the only thing left in our lives is subjectivism.

[John Weaver] And I want to tell you something, folks. rather have God's infinite wisdom than my finite wisdom. His Word is truth. Father, we bow before Thee this day. We acknowledge Your infinite mercy and grace to us, and we're so thankful for Your objective standard, the Word of God. We do not have to guess. We do not have to think. We do not have to question. We just simply need to obey. to learn and apply and obey. Give us grace to serve Thee acceptably with reverence and godly fear.

[John Weaver] In Thy name we pray, Amen.

Objective Standard vs. a Subjective Standard

John Weaver | SermonAudio

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	SermonAudio
Media ID	91604123156
Subject	Old Testament Studies
Course	Proverbs: The Fear of the Lord and Wisdom: The Doctrine of Election
Genre	Sermon
Date	2004-09-12
Dictation Name
Book	Book 081: Proverbs: The Fear of the Lord and Wisdom - Volume 1 — Chapter 2
Source Timed Segments	72

Formatted Transcript

Introduction: Defining Objective and Subjective Standards

Weaver defines an objective standard as one outside oneself, unaffected by the fall, while a subjective standard is based on personal thoughts and desires. He asserts it is impossible to be objective from a subjective basis.

Today, I'm going to be bringing a message entitled "Objective Standard versus a Subjective Standard." 1 Samuel, chapter 15, beginning there with verse 1: "Samuel also said unto Saul, The Lord sent me to anoint thee to be king over his people, over Israel." "Now therefore, hearken thou to the voice of the words of the Lord. Thus saith the Lord of hosts, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way when he came up from Egypt. Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass." And Saul gathered the people together and numbered them in Telaim, 200,000 footmen and 10,000 men of Judah. And Saul came to a city of Amalek and laid wait in the valley. And Saul said unto the Kenites,

Scripture Reading — 1 Samuel 15:4-9

"Go, depart, get you down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them: for you showed kindness to all the children of Israel when they came up out of Egypt."

So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites. And Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah till thou comest to Shur, that is over against Egypt. And he took Agag, king of the Amalekites, alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword. But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and of the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but everything that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly. Then came the word of the Lord unto Samuel, saying, "It repenteth me that I set up Saul to be king: for he has turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments."

And it grieved Samuel, and he cried unto the Lord all night. And when Samuel arose early to meet Saul in the morning, it was told Samuel, saying, "Saul came to Carmel, and, behold, he set him up a place, and is gone about, and passed on, and gone down to Gilgal." And Samuel came to Saul, and Saul said unto him, "Blessed be thou of the Lord: I have performed the commandment of the Lord." And Samuel said, "What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?" And Saul said, "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." Then Samuel said unto Saul, "Stay, and I will tell thee what the Lord hath said to me this night."

He said unto him, "Say on." And Samuel said, "When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the Lord anointed thee king over Israel? And the Lord sent thee on a journey, and said, 'Go and utterly destroy the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed.' Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the Lord, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the Lord?" And Saul said unto Samuel, "Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the Lord, and have gone the way which the Lord sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the Lord thy God in Gilgal." And Samuel said, "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." I told you the message today was entitled, "Objective Standard versus a Subjective Standard." Most Christians have never thought of the importance of the word of God as an objective standard. The truth is, most Christians have never even consciously thought of their need of a standard, much less an objective one. When we talk about an objective standard, we're referring to a standard that is outside of oneself. An objective standard is one that is not influenced by the fall, not affected by the fall, and therefore, it is not influenced by the sin, desires, lust, and evil propensities. Now, a subjective standard, therefore, is one that is based upon one's own thoughts, his rationalism, his own desires, and is influenced and affected by many forces. It is impossible to be objective from a subjective basis.

Let me repeat that. You don't think that's very profound, but listen to it. It is impossible to be objective from a subjective basis. Everyone by nature believes himself to be the true source of right and wrong. In other words, many times we think we aren't objective and we think we have the truth when in reality we have nothing. I can demonstrate what I've just said to you very easily. If I were to say, "Let's take some suggestions, let's take some ideas about a project that I have in mind," and everyone in here makes a suggestion and everyone gives an idea. The truth is you always like your idea and your suggestion better than anyone else's. That's human nature. We always like to think that we're right and that we have the truth and that we have everything on our side.

The Foolishness of Subjective Standards

Using Proverbs 18:17, 12:15, and 21:2, Weaver shows that people naturally think their own ways are right, but this is the mark of a fool. Deuteronomy 12:8 commands against doing what is right in one's own eyes.

Let me tell you what the Bible says in Proverbs 18 and verse 17. The Word of God says,

Scripture Reading — Proverbs 18:17

"He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbor cometh and searcheth him out."

Now, listen carefully.

Scripture Reading — Proverbs 18:17

"He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbor cometh and searcheth him out."

In other words, what the Scripture is saying is this: We can very easily rationalize our needs, our desires, and our ways, and we rationalize them in such a way that they seem right and just to us. But then our neighbor comes along who sees things just a little differently and maybe is a little more objective, and he searches out the matter, and then we realize we thought we were right but in reality we were wrong. Let me go a little bit further. Because in Proverbs chapter 12 and verse 15, the Bible says, "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise." Now listen carefully. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes.

See, that's one of the marks of being a fool. He refuses to receive instruction. He believes he already knows everything. Therefore, he doesn't need to be taught anything. So the way of a fool then is right in his own eyes, but he that hearkens to counsel is wise. In Proverbs 21 in verse 2, the Lord goes further and he tells us this:

Scripture Reading — Proverbs 12:15

"Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth the heart."

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but it's the Lord who ponders the heart. So our ways are not necessarily right just because they are our ways.

Now, look in your Bibles. I've been quoting those verses. But look in your Bibles, Deuteronomy chapter 12 and verse 8. Deuteronomy 12 verse 8. Look at what the Bible says. Look what God declares. Deuteronomy 12 verse 8: "Ye shall not do after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes." What is God saying? You are not to follow, nor are you to have a subjective standard. You're not to do every man what is right in his own eyes.

Now, let me just quote a passage to you that probably most of you can quote, but there are certain things I want to emphasize. Do you remember the passage in Proverbs 3, verses 5-7? "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil." Now listen to what he says: "lean not to thine own understanding."

The Contest Between God's Wisdom and Man's Wisdom

Weaver explains that a subjective standard dethrones God and enthrones man. 2 Corinthians 10:5 shows that human reasoning exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and the real reason for hatred of God's law is the desire to be one's own god.

Let me put it another way. You have a contest between the wisdom of God and the wisdom of man. Now, in reality, it is not a contest because God's wisdom is infinite and man is finite. But the truth is, because of the fall and because of our fallen nature, in the mind of man, we think that what we think and what we know is equal to what God knows and what God thinks, and that our thoughts are just as valid as His, and that our standards are just as valid as His. In other words, we believe by nature that we know what is best for ourselves.

Now, in essence, what a subjective standard does is this: It dethrones God and enthrones man. Look in your Bibles to 2 Corinthians chapter 10. Here's the passage I've quoted to you innumerable times since I have been preaching to you. Notice 2 Corinthians chapter 10 and verse 5. Once again, this shows you the absolute necessity of an objective standard, and it also shows you the rebellion of a subjective standard. In 2 Corinthians 10, verse 5, the Bible says,

Scripture Reading — 2 Corinthians 10:5

"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."

Note, if you would,

Scripture Reading — 2 Corinthians 10:5

"casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God."

Note, it exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought, he says, into the obedience of Jesus Christ. Once again, what the Word of God is demonstrating to us is our absolute need for an objective standard. So when you and I rely upon a subjective standard instead of God's objective standard, what we're doing is that we're exalting ourselves against God.

And we're exalting our knowledge above God's knowledge. We deny God's standard that we might exalt our own standard. Listen carefully to what I'm about to say. The real reason—this is foundational—the real reason there is so much criticism, contempt, and hatred manifested toward God and His law is right here. If we confess that God is God, and His law, His word is truth, and it is to be our standard, we deny our own Godhood, and we deny our own selves. So, in order to manifest our Godhood, and that no right will curse and deny God and His law. At the very heart of every subjective standard is a denial of God and His law. We either must condemn God or He condemns us. We have to deny God in order to establish our own deity and our own self as God.

False Justifications for Subjective Standards

People justify subjective standards by comparing themselves to others (2 Corinthians 10:12) or believing the serpent's lie in Genesis 3:5 that they can determine good and evil for themselves.

Now, how in the world do people justify such unbiblical and ungodly attitudes? Well, let me show you. Look in your Bibles to 2 Corinthians 10 and verse 12, since you're already there. One of the ways that people justify such unbiblical attitudes and actions is by comparing oneself with others. 2 Corinthians 10 and verse 12: "For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise."

Now, what is this talking about? It's talking about having a false measure. You are very easily deceived if you have a false measure. Or you are very easily made confident if you have a false measure. By that I mean this: If you compare yourselves among other people, or among some people, you have a very foolish standard. What am I talking about? Suppose I looked around this room and I said, "I've got news for you.

I can whip Brother Ernie. I can whip him." Well, I might could whip him if my back helped out. But just because I can whip him doesn't mean I can whip every man in this room. So therefore, I could say, "Well, I'm stronger than Brother Ernie. I'm a better fighter than Brother Ernie." What does that prove? Absolutely nothing, because Ernie is not my standard.

Now, let me show you, this is vitally important. I discovered this week that I can jump 50 feet high. You say, "Brother Weaver, you can't do that." Sure I can. If you let me define a foot, I can lift a thousand pounds. If you let me define a pound, as long as I can make my own standard, I can do or be whatever I want to do or be. I can be just as holy and just as righteous and just as godly as I want to be, as long as I'm holy and just and righteous and godly according to my standard. But when you measure yourself against an objective standard, you may not measure up. Now, you see the importance of what I'm trying to say. There is an objective standard, which is the Word of God.

And then there are all these subjective standards. Look in your Bibles, if you would please, to the book of Galatians, chapter 6. Galatians, chapter 6. And notice verse 16 of what the Apostle Paul says. Galatians 6 and verse 16. Galatians 6, verse 16. The Apostle Paul says, "And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy upon the Israel of God."

Now, I've told you this before. I hope you remember it. When the Apostle Paul says, "as many as walk according to this rule," the word "rule" is very important. It is the Greek word "kanon." It is where we get our English word "canon," C-A-N-O-N. Not C-A-N-N-O-N, that's the kind that fires. C-A-N-O-N, we talk about the canon of scripture, or we talk about the Old Testament canon, or the New Testament canon, or canon law, the scriptural law. You know what the word "canon" means? It means a rule. It means a measuring rod, a measuring stick. Now look what the Apostle Paul said: "And as many as walk according to this rule," that is the Word of God, this measuring stick, this measuring tape, "peace be upon them and upon the Israel of God." God has His own standard. God has His own measuring stick. He has His own measuring rod. And as many as walk according to this rule, this measuring stick, peace be upon them and mercy upon the Israel of God.

So one of the ways we justify our subjective standard is by comparing ourselves with everyone else and building for ourselves a false standard. A second way that we foolishly justify unbiblical attitudes and actions is by believing the devil's line in Genesis 3, verse 5. Look back there. Let me show you this verse, Genesis 3, verse 5. Because it's the impact of what is taught here that is vitally important. Look in Genesis 3 and verse 5. The serpent says to the woman,

Scripture Reading — Genesis 3:5

"For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil."

Now the word "knowing" in the Hebrew has the force of "determining." Literally what he says is this: "For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, determining for yourself good and evil."

In other words, you will have your own standard. You don't need God's objective standard. You can determine for yourself right and wrong, good and evil. Isn't that amazing? God came in the garden and gave Adam an objective standard. And here comes a serpent with his temptation and says, "You don't need God's objective standard. You can have your own standard. You can determine for yourself what is right and what is wrong."

Do you realize the truth is most Christians actually believe the serpent's lie? At least they act as if they believe the serpent's lie because their lives are so unscriptural, unbiblical, ungodly, and unholy. So we justify our unbiblical and ungodly actions either by comparing ourselves with someone else, which is a false standard, or by believing that we are a standard in and of ourselves.

The Consequences of Abandoning God's Standard

Psalm 82 illustrates that when judges abandon God's objective standard, the foundations of the earth are out of course. Societal chaos results from rejecting biblical authority.

Now, I want you to look carefully with me at 1 Samuel, chapter 15. In 1 Samuel, chapter 15, you have a clear-cut illustration of man's wisdom pitted against God's wisdom. 1 Samuel, chapter 15, I want you to listen carefully to what I'm about to say. I want you to mark this down one way or the other. Wherever and whenever man's wisdom is allowed to triumph, the determination of good and evil, right and wrong, what's best and what is not best, is completely subjective. Now, I tell you what, before we look at 1 Samuel 15, hold that, we're coming right back. Turn in your Bible, Psalm 82. Let me show you. Let me show you the devastation and destruction of a subjective standard. If I were to ask you—please don't laugh—but if I were to ask you, "Are we in a mess in this country?" what would you answer me? Yes. If I were to ask you, "Are we in a mess judicially in this country?" what would you answer? Yes. Economically? Yes. Governmentally? Yes. Now, watch this very carefully in Psalm 82. Psalm 82 is an entire psalm against the judicial system.

Look what he says: "God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods." Now, the "gods" are the civil rulers, without me going into the background to prove that, but I can do so. But he's talking about the civil rulers. Now watch, he is singling out judges specifically. "How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked?" In other words, they're letting the wicked go for bribes or for whatever reason. God tells them in verse 3, "Defend the poor and fatherless." "Do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked." This is what God tells them, but He says, "They know not," that's the judges, "neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course."

Now, what happens when you have a judicial system that will not abide by an objective standard? God says it turns the world upside down. "All the foundations of the earth are out of course." You know how things are being turned upside down in this country and in all the other countries? Do you know why? Because we have left the objective standard of the Word of God. There was a time in our country when judges issued rulings based upon the Bible. Juries issued rulings based upon the Bible. And when, you know, the judge walks in and the bailiff says, "All rise." You know how that began? Because the judges initially came into the courtroom carrying Bibles. And men rose out of respect for the Word of God. Now they kick out the Bible and want you to rise in respect for the man. What has happened? The foundations of the world are out of course; everything's turned upside down. Now, go back to 1 Samuel 15, because I want you to see when men determine and act as they please, in contradiction to the Word of God, what they're doing is basically turning life upside down.

Exposition of 1 Samuel 15: Saul's Disobedience

Weaver walks through the chapter: God's plain command to utterly destroy Amalek, Saul's proper initial consideration, and his personal catastrophe in sparing Agag and the best spoil, substituting his own judgment for God's command.

Look in 1 Samuel 15. Very quickly, they only have about three points. The first one is a plain command. You're going to find this in the first three verses. A plain command. First of all, look in verse 1, you have a sober reminder. "Samuel also said unto Saul, The Lord sent me to anoint thee to be king over his people, over Israel."

"Now therefore, hearken thou unto the voice of the words of the Lord." I want you to remember that Saul was anointed king. And when Samuel is talking to Saul, he is reminding Saul that God anointed him and God raised him up that he might do God's bidding. He wants to be God's representative. And Samuel is reminding Saul of this singular fact. He says, "The Lord sent me to anoint thee to be king over Israel. Now therefore," watch what he says, "hearken thou unto the voice of the words of the Lord." Listen to God. Now, all men have a responsibility to hearken to and obey the Word of God. But may I point out that men in positions of trust and authority have a greater responsibility to hearken to the Word of God. You know what our Lord said in Luke 12 and verse 48? He says, "For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required." If you've been given much, God says much more is going to be required of you.

So if you've been given a position of power, or authority, or trust, God is going to hold you more accountable. In the book of James, chapter 3 and verse 1, James gives us the same truth, but only in a different light. He says,

Scripture Reading — James 3:1

"My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation." "Be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation."

Scripture Reading — James 3:1

"be not many teachers, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation."

Now, if you were to wake up in the morning and read on the morning newspaper headlines, "Ed Wolf arrested robbing a bank." That'd be bad, wouldn't it? I mean, Ed knows better. But you know what would be worse than that? To read the headlines, "Pastor John Weaver arrested robbing a bank." Why? Because I am responsible to teach you what's right. And God has given me that position of trust. And if I then turn around and abuse it, I'm more accountable and more responsible. And God says I'll receive the greater condemnation.

So Samuel comes to Saul. And he said, "Saul, you better remember, God raised you up. God anointed you. Therefore, you hearken unto him." Each of us are answerable and accountable unto God, but rulers are more accountable because they have received positions of trust and authority. Therefore, says God, they're going to receive the greater condemnation. So in this plain command, he comes, first of all, with a sober reminder. Notice, secondly, in verse 2, a solemn remembrance. "Thus saith the Lord of hosts, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way when he came up from Egypt." You know, I find it amazing and sometimes amusing as well as interesting that sometimes some of the most comforting words of the Bible can also be some of the most devastating and destructive words of the Bible. You know three words that are very simple, very beautiful, very comforting, very consoling to the child of God can be full of consternation for the unbeliever. What three words? "And God remembered." Do you remember the Bible says that in Genesis 8 verse 1 concerning Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth and their wives, "and God remembered." And then concerning Rachel in Genesis 30 when God was to bless her, "and God remembered Rachel." And how about this one in Exodus chapter 2 verse 24, "and God remembered his covenant." Ah. But now the Bible says, "Thus saith the Lord of hosts, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel."

Do you realize God remembers his people for good? He remembers his enemies for destruction. God remembered what Amalek did to Israel. Now it is time to reward him for his wickedness. And the amazing thing is this, folks. That which Amalek did to Israel had been 400 years earlier. Look in your Bibles to Deuteronomy 25, hold 1 Samuel, Deuteronomy 25, and notice verse 8. Deuteronomy 25, verse 8. Deuteronomy 25, I believe it is. Let's see.

No, that's not. That's not the correct verse. It is verse 17. Deuteronomy 25 verse 17.

Scripture Reading — Deuteronomy 25:17-18

"Remember what Amalek did unto thee by the way, when ye were come forth out of Egypt; how he met thee by the way, and smote the hindmost of thee, even all that were feeble behind thee, when thou wast faint and weary; and he feared not God."

Note, if you would please, he remembered what Amalek did. Four hundred years later. God's paydays are not always on Friday. And just because people are not smitten instantly does not mean that God is not going to smite them. So the Bible says God remembered what Amalek did. And now it's time to pay Amalek back. So look in verse 3 of 1 Samuel 15. And notice, if you would please, a serious requirement. This is still the plain command. Notice, if you would please, 1 Samuel 15 verse 3. Here's the serious requirement. God tells Saul, "Now go and smite Amalek.

and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass." Now in giving his plain command, God issues this serious requirement. Utterly destroy the Amalekites. Man, woman, children, ox, ass, camel, sheep, kill them all. Don't leave anything breathing. Spare no one, spare nothing. God's just wrath and vengeance was to be executed upon all.

There were to be no exceptions. Let me ask you, how could such a plain command be misunderstood? It could not be. God said, "I want you to smite every one of them. Kill them all." Note, secondly, in this passage, a proper consideration. Verses four through seven. "And Saul gathered the people together, and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand footmen, and ten thousand men of Judah. And Saul came to a city of Amalek, and laid wait in the valley. And Saul said unto the Kenites, Go, depart, get you down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them: for ye showed kindness to all the children of Israel, when they came up out of Egypt. So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites. And Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah until thou comest to Shur, that is over against Egypt." Now, in light of the plain command, Saul does three things that demonstrate a proper consideration of the order that he had been given.

First, he gathers his army in verse 4. He gathers 210,000 footmen. Now let me tell you, if you're going to exterminate an entire people, you need an army adequate to do the task. So he gathered an army of 210,000 footmen. The second thing he does is this: He requests that the Kenites, with whom he does not wish to fight, to remove themselves from danger. He remembers it was the Kenites that showed kindness to the children of Israel. And since the Kenites were not listed in God's command for extermination, it was only right that war was not to be made against them.

So he asked them to please get out of the way. Now, here's a principle, folks, and I believe this principle is exceedingly clear. You do not make war upon the innocent or upon those who are not involved in the conflict. You make war only upon the enemies. You make war upon the soldiers. You don't make war upon innocent people. The Kenites had done nothing wrong. They were not under God's judgment. And so, rightly, He told them to get out of the way.

And Saul's proper consideration was this: He began by obeying God. Look at verse 7. "And Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah until thou comest to Shur, that is over against Egypt." He actually began by obeying God. He actually began smiting the Amalekites. But you read the entire story with me. And one is reminded of what Paul asked those Galatians in Galatians 5 and verse 7. He says, "Ye did run well.

Who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?" That's what Paul told the Galatians: you started out good, but why did you stop? Saul started out by obeying God, but he stopped. It is not enough to begin well, we must also finish well.

Isn't it amazing that we start so many things and never finish them? Isn't that amazing? And we even do that in our own Christian life. It's not enough to start well, we must finish well. It's not sufficient to run well at the beginning of the race. We must run well throughout the race and to the end of the race.

Now, the interesting thing is this: If we're going to run the race at all, we must run according to the rules of the race. It's just like if I said we're going to have a foot race around 10 blocks. Let's start. And everyone in this congregation began racing with me and I got one block up and then I cut across and came around and I'm the first one at the finish line. Did I win the race? Well, I got there before anyone else. But no, I didn't win the race because I cheated. I never followed the course of the race.

You know what the Bible says in 2 Timothy 2 and verse 5? Listen. "And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully." So if you and I are going to fight, if you and I are going to obey, if you and I are going to do anything that's biblical and right, we must follow the rules that God has laid down for us. Now, God said, "Saul, here's a simple thing for you to do. You go kill all the Amalekites." And he actually started out by obeying God. He smote those Amalekites from Havilah until thou comest to Shur. But here's the third thing, and then I'm going to tie it together for you. I want you to see a personal catastrophe. In verses 8 through 23, something went seriously wrong. Saul began well, but he finished miserably. Instead of obedience to the plain command and in light of the proper consideration, he fell into a personal catastrophe. Why? Let's ask that question. Why did Saul fail? Why did Saul disobey? Why did Saul deviate from the plain command that he had been given? Here's the answer to that question.

The Root of Saul's Failure: Subjective Standard

Saul failed because he left God's objective standard and followed his own subjective standard, determining good and evil for himself. This was playing God, echoing Genesis 3:5.

Because he left God's objective standard and followed his own subjective standard. Now look what happened. Verse 8: "And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword. But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly." You see, Saul did not see anything wrong with sparing Agag the king. I mean, after all, he was royalty. Saul did not see anything wrong with sparing the best of the sheep, and the best of the oxen, and the best of the fat lambs. Oh, anything that was vile and refuse, oh yes, we'll destroy all of that. Why would God want me to destroy this perfectly good sheep? I mean, after all, this is a valuable animal. If one sheep is valuable, how about a thousand good sheep? And if one cow is good, how about 10,000 good cows? God, you must have made a mistake here. I mean, surely you would not want me to eradicate all this good stuff. Let me ask you, in whose eyes was it good? Saul's and the people's. Not good in God's eyes, but good in their eyes.

You know, inevitably, someone will raise an objection and say, "But now, Pastor, the people also spared those animals. Saul may have spared the king, and yes, Saul may have spared some of those animals, but the Bible does say the people spared some of those things." Yes, it does. But you must remember that Saul was the leader. Saul was the king. And if you go back to chapter 15 and verse 1, the word of the Lord came specifically to Saul. The people may have wondered or the people may have had to guess or thought, but Saul knew. He knew exactly what God had said. It was his responsibility to tell the people. Saul did not have to guess, he did not have to question, he did not have to think, neither did the people. All Saul and the people had to do was simply to obey. Why did Saul fail?

The answer is very simple. He left the objective standard of God's Word and followed his own subjective standard. He was going to be the one that determined good and evil. He was going to be the one that determined right and wrong. He was going to be the one that determined what was pure and what was impure. What was Saul doing? He was playing God. You remember back in Genesis 3:5? "For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, ye shall be as gods, knowing," that is determining, "good and evil" for yourselves. And what Saul did was this.

You've got to have made a mistake. There's nothing wrong with these sheep. There's nothing wrong with Agag. You know what the Bible says in Isaiah 42, verse 8? Let me quote it. God says,

Scripture Reading — Isaiah 42:8

"I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images." "I am the Lord: that is my name."

Are you listening?

Scripture Reading — Isaiah 42:8

"My glory will I not give to another."

When you challenge God, you always lose.

Applications and Warnings

Weaver applies the lesson individually, familially, ecclesiastically, and nationally. Saul incurred God's fierce anger, lost his kingdom and life, and his disobedience involved pride, lust, and covetousness. Subjectivism is idolatry.

Now, let me make some applications. I want to show you where we are individually, familially, ecclesiastically, nationally. You could make the applications to every one of those areas. I want you to note that Saul incurred the fierce anger and wrath of God. 1 Samuel 15 verses 10 and 11. Look at it. 1 Samuel 15 verses 10 and 11: "Then came the word of the Lord unto Samuel, saying, It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the Lord all night." What did Saul incur by turning from God's objective standard to his own subjective standard? He incurred the fierce anger and wrath of God. Now, here's my question. Are you willing individually, familially, ecclesiastically, that is as a church, and then nationally to face the fierce anger of God? It should be obvious that the provocation of God's anger is an outright denial of God's sovereignty.

I was talking to a friend this week, and he mentioned Hurricane Ivan that was coming up on Florida. I said to my friend, "Do you think God's trying to say something to those Floridians down there?" I said, "And then some of the other—I mean, this is three in a row." You know, it never dawns on most people. And I still get so aggravated every time I hear those weathermen talking about Mother Nature. It's not Mother Nature, it's Father God. But whenever we leave God's objective standard and turn to our subjective standard, we incur the fierce anger and wrath of God, because in reality, when we turn to our standard, we're denying His standard. We're saying that we're God, and God has said, "My glory I'll not share with another." So you're in trouble. Secondly, are you listening?

Saul not only lost his kingdom, he lost his life. Look in 1 Samuel 15, beginning there in verse 26. "And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord hath rejected thee from being king over Israel. And as Samuel turned about to go away, he laid hold upon the skirt of his mantle, and it rent. And Samuel said unto him, The Lord hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbor of thine, that is better than thou." Look what he said specifically. Verse 26: "And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the Lord." You have rejected God's objective standard, and therefore the Lord hath rejected thee from being king over Israel. Isn't that amazing? He lost his kingdom because he thought his ways and his desires and his plans and his thoughts were wiser and better than God's. That's not all. Look in your Bibles to 2 Samuel 1.

You're talking about justice. Watch this. 2 Samuel 1. Verse 2: "It came even to pass on the third day, that, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul with his clothes rent, and earth upon his head: and so it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and did obeisance. And David said unto him, From whence comest thou? And he said unto him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped. And David said unto him, How went the matter?

I pray thee, tell me. And he answered, That the people are fled from the battle, and many of the people also are fallen and dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also. And David said unto the young man that told him, How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son be dead? And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him. And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called unto me. And I answered, Here am I. And he said unto me, Who art thou? And I answered him, I am an Amalekite. He said unto me again, Stand, I pray thee, upon me, and slay me: for anguish is come upon me, because my life is yet whole in me. So I stood upon him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen.

And I took the crown that was upon his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them hither unto my lord." Saul spared the best, and the best slew Saul. He took the crown off his head, the bracelet off his arm. Let me tell you something, folks. When we turn from God's objective standard, we're in far more danger individually, familially, ecclesiastically, and nationally than you can imagine. Saul lost his kingdom and he lost his life. Why? Because he wouldn't do what he thought was best. Instead of bowing to the totality of God's word. Watch this thirdly.

Every disobedience involves elements of pride, lust, and covetousness. Go back to verse 16, 1 Samuel 15. "Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what the Lord hath said to me this night. And he said unto him, Say on. And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the Lord anointed thee king over Israel? And the Lord sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed. Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the Lord, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the Lord?" Now let's stop there. Samuel said, "Saul, I've got something to say to you." Well, he said, "Just say on." He said, "When you were little, God made you king. God elevated you. God promoted you. Now you've got to be king. You've become arrogant and proud. And you think you know more than God.

And so now you've decided you're going to disobey God and obey your own whims. Moreover, when you saw the spoil, you flew upon it. You're nothing but a covetous, greedy, selfish, wicked man." That's to the king. In every disobedience, I don't care what disobedience it is, there are always elements of pride, lust, and covetousness. Why did he leave God's objective standard? Because of his pride and arrogance and because of his covetousness. He wanted what God had condemned. Fourthly, listen carefully. Subjectivism is not simply disobedience.

It is a form of idolatry. Skip down to verses 22 and 23. After he says, "Well, we've spared all these sheep and all these oxen that we may sacrifice them unto the Lord." Verse 22: "And Samuel said, 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." Now he said, "rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft." What was the penalty for witchcraft? Death. "And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry." What was the penalty for idolatry? Death. Subjectivism is not just simply disobedience, it is a form of idolatry, because when we turn from God's objective standard, it is so that we may elevate our own personal standard, and in doing so, we're claiming to be God ourselves.

Conclusion: The Bible as Sole Authority

The Bible is the sole authority for faith and practice. Experiences must be interpreted by Scripture, not vice versa. Weaver exhorts the congregation to rely on God's infinite wisdom rather than finite human wisdom.

Now, listen to this simple statement, and don't ever forget it. The Bible is our sole authority for faith and practice. The Bible is our sole authority for faith and practice. Whatever you do or whatever you shall do that is contrary to the Word of God is wrong. I don't care how it makes you feel. I don't care what your experience is. I don't care how you rejoice in it. If it is contrary to the word of God, it is wrong. Let me leave you with this one statement. We must never allow our experiences to interpret the Bible. We must always use the Bible to interpret our experiences. The Bible is our sole authority for faith and practice.

You say, "Brother Weaver, does your church have a constitution?" It sure does. What is it? The Bible. "Does your church have a covenant?" It sure does. What is it? The Bible. "Does your church have standards of conduct?" We surely do. What is it? The Bible. The Bible is our sole authority for faith and practice. And when we leave that objective standard, the only thing left in our lives is subjectivism.

And I want to tell you something, folks. I'd rather have God's infinite wisdom than my finite wisdom. His Word is truth. Father, we bow before Thee this day. We acknowledge Your infinite mercy and grace to us, and we're so thankful for Your objective standard, the Word of God. We do not have to guess. We do not have to think. We do not have to question. We just simply need to obey. To learn and apply and obey. Give us grace to serve Thee acceptably with reverence and godly fear.

In Thy name we pray, Amen.

Study Guide

Major Themes

Objective vs. Subjective Standard

Summary: The central contrast between God's unchanging Word as the objective standard and man's fallible, self-centered subjective standard.

Evidence: Weaver states: 'When we talk about an objective standard, we're referring to a standard that is outside of oneself... A subjective standard, therefore, is one that is based upon one's own thoughts, his rationalism, his own desires...'

The Deceitfulness of the Human Heart

Summary: Human nature tends to justify its own ways and reject external authority, leading to self-deception.

Evidence: Proverbs 18:17, 12:15, and 21:2 are cited to show that 'every way of a man is right in his own eyes' and that the fool refuses counsel.

Rebellion as Idolatry

Summary: Choosing a subjective standard over God's Word is not mere disobedience but a form of idolatry, as it enthrones self in God's place.

Evidence: 1 Samuel 15:23: 'For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.' Weaver explains that subjectivism claims to be God.

The Necessity of Complete Obedience

Summary: Partial obedience is disobedience; God requires full compliance with His commands, not selective adherence based on human judgment.

Evidence: Saul spared Agag and the best animals, thinking it was good, but God had commanded total destruction. Weaver says, 'It is not enough to begin well, we must also finish well.'

The Consequences of Abandoning God's Standard

Summary: Rejecting God's objective standard brings personal, familial, ecclesiastical, and national judgment, as seen in Saul's loss of kingdom and life.

Evidence: Weaver points to Saul's rejection as king and his death at the hands of an Amalekite, and applies Psalm 82 to societal collapse.

The Sufficiency and Authority of Scripture

Summary: The Bible is the sole authority for faith and practice; all experiences and actions must be measured by it.

Evidence: Weaver concludes: 'The Bible is our sole authority for faith and practice... We must never allow our experiences to interpret the Bible. We must always use the Bible to interpret our experiences.'

Key Arguments

It is impossible to be objective from a subjective basis.

Summary: Human reasoning, tainted by sin, cannot produce an unbiased standard; only an external, divine standard can be truly objective.

Evidence: Weaver states: 'It is impossible to be objective from a subjective basis.' He illustrates with the example of personal ideas always seeming best.

A subjective standard dethrones God and enthrones man.

Summary: Relying on personal judgment instead of God's Word is an act of rebellion that exalts human knowledge above divine revelation.

Evidence: 2 Corinthians 10:5 is cited: 'Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God...'

Comparing oneself to others is a false measure.

Summary: Using other people as a standard leads to self-deception and false confidence, as it avoids the true measure of God's Word.

Evidence: 2 Corinthians 10:12: '...they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.'

The serpent's lie in Genesis 3:5 is the root of subjectivism.

Summary: Satan's temptation was to make man his own god, determining good and evil independently of God's command.

Evidence: Genesis 3:5: '...ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.' Weaver explains 'knowing' means 'determining.'

Saul's disobedience was a result of pride and covetousness.

Summary: Saul thought he knew better than God and desired the spoil, revealing the sinful motives behind his subjective standard.

Evidence: 1 Samuel 15:17-19: Samuel rebukes Saul for flying upon the spoil and doing evil, after being made king when little in his own sight.

Partial obedience is still disobedience.

Summary: Saul's sparing of Agag and the best animals, while destroying the vile, was a violation of God's plain command and constituted rebellion.

Evidence: 1 Samuel 15:9: 'But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep...' contrasted with the command in verse 3.

Rejecting God's Word incurs His fierce anger and judgment.

Summary: God's response to Saul's disobedience was regret and rejection, demonstrating that subjectivism provokes divine wrath.

Evidence: 1 Samuel 15:10-11: 'It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king...' and verse 26: '...thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord hath rejected thee...'

The Bible must interpret experience, not vice versa.

Summary: Subjective feelings and experiences are unreliable; they must be tested and interpreted by the objective truth of Scripture.

Evidence: Weaver states: 'We must never allow our experiences to interpret the Bible. We must always use the Bible to interpret our experiences.'

Scripture References

1 Samuel 15:1-3

Context: God's command to Saul to utterly destroy Amalek.

1 Samuel 15:4-9

Context: Saul's partial obedience, sparing Agag and the best spoil.

1 Samuel 15:10-11

Context: God's regret over making Saul king due to his disobedience.

1 Samuel 15:13-23

Context: Samuel's confrontation with Saul and the declaration that obedience is better than sacrifice.

Proverbs 18:17

Context: He that is first in his own cause seems just, but his neighbor searches him out.

Proverbs 12:15

Context: The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but the wise hearken to counsel.

Proverbs 21:2

Context: Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord ponders the heart.

Deuteronomy 12:8

Context: Ye shall not do every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes.

Proverbs 3:5-7

Context: Trust in the Lord, lean not to thine own understanding, be not wise in thine own eyes.

2 Corinthians 10:5

Context: Casting down imaginations that exalt themselves against the knowledge of God.

2 Corinthians 10:12

Context: Comparing themselves among themselves is not wise.

Galatians 6:16

Context: As many as walk according to this rule (canon), peace be on them.

Genesis 3:5

Context: The serpent's lie that man shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

Psalm 82:1-5

Context: God judges among the gods; unjust judges cause the foundations of the earth to be out of course.

Luke 12:48

Context: To whom much is given, much is required.

James 3:1

Context: Be not many masters, knowing we shall receive the greater condemnation.

Deuteronomy 25:17-18

Context: Remember what Amalek did to Israel when they came out of Egypt.

Galatians 5:7

Context: Ye did run well; who did hinder you?

2 Timothy 2:5

Context: If a man strive for masteries, he is not crowned except he strive lawfully.

Isaiah 42:8

Context: I am the Lord; my glory will I not give to another.

Historical References

Amalekites' attack on Israel during the Exodus

Context: God remembered Amalek's ambush of the weary Israelites 400 years earlier, leading to the command for their destruction.

Kenites' kindness to Israel

Context: The Kenites showed kindness to Israel during the Exodus, so Saul warned them to depart before attacking Amalek.

Hurricane Ivan (2004)

Context: Weaver mentions Hurricane Ivan approaching Florida as a possible sign of God's judgment, criticizing the term 'Mother Nature.'

Historical practice of judges carrying Bibles into court

Context: Weaver notes that judges once entered courtrooms carrying Bibles, and people rose out of respect for God's Word, not the man.

Important Quotes

It is impossible to be objective from a subjective basis.

Significance: This encapsulates the core thesis that human reasoning cannot produce an unbiased standard.

He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbor cometh and searcheth him out.

Significance: Quoted from Proverbs 18:17 to show how self-justification is easily exposed by outside examination.

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

Significance: Proverbs 12:15, used to define the fool as one who rejects external counsel.

Ye shall not do after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes.

Significance: Deuteronomy 12:8, a direct command against subjective standards.

For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.

Significance: 1 Samuel 15:23, equating subjectivism with capital offenses under God's law.

The Bible is our sole authority for faith and practice.

Significance: The concluding principle that all belief and conduct must be governed by Scripture alone.

We must never allow our experiences to interpret the Bible. We must always use the Bible to interpret our experiences.

Significance: A key hermeneutical and practical application of the objective standard.

Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

Significance: 1 Samuel 15:22, the central verse of the passage, emphasizing obedience over religious ritual.

Discussion Questions

What are some modern examples of subjective standards that Christians might adopt without realizing it?

Context: Weaver argues that most Christians have never consciously thought of their need for an objective standard.

How does comparing ourselves to others (2 Corinthians 10:12) lead to a false sense of righteousness?

Context: Weaver uses the illustration of being able to whip Brother Ernie but not every man in the room.

In what ways do we, like Saul, rationalize partial obedience as full obedience?

Context: Saul claimed to have performed the commandment while the evidence of bleating sheep proved otherwise.

Why is rebellion equated with witchcraft and idolatry in 1 Samuel 15:23?

Context: Weaver explains that subjectivism is a form of idolatry because it enthrones self as God.

How can we practically ensure that the Bible interprets our experiences rather than the reverse?

Context: Weaver concludes with the principle that Scripture must be the lens for evaluating all experiences.

What are the dangers of a judicial system that abandons an objective standard, according to Psalm 82?

Context: Weaver applies the psalm to modern society, noting that the foundations of the earth are out of course.

How does the serpent's lie in Genesis 3:5 manifest in our daily decision-making?

Context: Weaver says most Christians act as if they believe they can determine good and evil for themselves.

What does it mean to 'strive lawfully' (2 Timothy 2:5) in the context of obeying God's commands?

Context: Weaver uses the analogy of a foot race where cutting corners disqualifies the runner.

Applications

Examine your standards

Summary: Evaluate whether your decisions are based on God's Word or on personal feelings, desires, and cultural norms.

Evidence: Weaver states: 'Most Christians have never even consciously thought of their need of a standard, much less an objective one.'

Reject self-justification

Summary: Recognize the tendency to rationalize your own ways as right and seek counsel from Scripture and wise believers.

Evidence: Proverbs 12:15 and 18:17 are cited to show the fool's self-deception and the value of outside examination.

Obey completely, not partially

Summary: Do not pick and choose which parts of God's commands to follow; partial obedience is disobedience.

Evidence: Saul's sparing of Agag and the best animals, while destroying the vile, was condemned as rebellion.

Beware of pride and covetousness

Summary: Disobedience often stems from pride (thinking you know better than God) and covetousness (desiring what God has forbidden).

Evidence: Samuel rebukes Saul for flying upon the spoil and doing evil, after being elevated from a low estate.

Use Scripture as the final authority

Summary: Let the Bible govern your faith and practice; do not allow experiences, emotions, or popular opinion to override biblical truth.

Evidence: Weaver concludes: 'The Bible is our sole authority for faith and practice... We must always use the Bible to interpret our experiences.'

Fear the consequences of rejecting God's standard

Summary: Recognize that abandoning God's Word brings personal and societal judgment, as seen in Saul's demise and Psalm 82.

Evidence: Saul lost his kingdom and life; Psalm 82 says the foundations of the earth are out of course when judges reject God's law.

Finish well in obedience

Summary: It is not enough to start obeying God; perseverance in full obedience is required.

Evidence: Weaver notes Saul began by smiting the Amalekites but stopped, and quotes Galatians 5:7: 'Ye did run well; who did hinder you?'

Reject the serpent's lie

Summary: Resist the temptation to determine good and evil for yourself; submit to God's definitions.

Evidence: Genesis 3:5 is explained as the root of subjectivism, and Weaver says most Christians act as if they believe it.

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-05T14:35:33Z

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | weaver_study | 2026-06-06T03:15:34Z

Clean Transcript

Objective Standard vs. a Subjective Standard

Clean readable transcript. This view follows the Commentary.net cleaned segment text while preserving timestamps for audio follow-along.

Today, I'm going to be bringing a message entitled "Objective Standard versus a Subjective Standard." 1 Samuel, chapter 15, beginning there with verse 1: "Samuel also said unto Saul, The Lord sent me to anoint thee to be king over his people, over Israel."
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"Now therefore, hearken thou to the voice of the words of the Lord. Thus saith the Lord of hosts, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way when he came up from Egypt. Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass."
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And Saul gathered the people together and numbered them in Telaim, 200,000 footmen and 10,000 men of Judah. And Saul came to a city of Amalek and laid wait in the valley. And Saul said unto the Kenites, "Go, depart, get you down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them: for you showed kindness to all the children of Israel when they came up out of Egypt." So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites. And Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah till thou comest to Shur, that is over against Egypt. And he took Agag, king of the Amalekites, alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword. But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and of the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but everything that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly. Then came the word of the Lord unto Samuel, saying, "It repenteth me that I set up Saul to be king: for he has turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments."
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And it grieved Samuel, and he cried unto the Lord all night. And when Samuel arose early to meet Saul in the morning, it was told Samuel, saying, "Saul came to Carmel, and, behold, he set him up a place, and is gone about, and passed on, and gone down to Gilgal." And Samuel came to Saul, and Saul said unto him, "Blessed be thou of the Lord: I have performed the commandment of the Lord." And Samuel said, "What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?" And Saul said, "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." Then Samuel said unto Saul, "Stay, and I will tell thee what the Lord hath said to me this night."
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He said unto him, "Say on." And Samuel said, "When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the Lord anointed thee king over Israel? And the Lord sent thee on a journey, and said, 'Go and utterly destroy the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed.' Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the Lord, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the Lord?" And Saul said unto Samuel, "Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the Lord, and have gone the way which the Lord sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the Lord thy God in Gilgal." And Samuel said, "Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord?"
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"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." I told you the message today was entitled, "Objective Standard versus a Subjective Standard." Most Christians have never thought of the importance of the word of God as an objective standard. The truth is, most Christians have never even consciously thought of their need of a standard, much less an objective one. When we talk about an objective standard, we're referring to a standard that is outside of oneself. An objective standard is one that is not influenced by the fall, not affected by the fall, and therefore, it is not influenced by the sin, desires, lust, and evil propensities. Now, a subjective standard, therefore, is one that is based upon one's own thoughts, his rationalism, his own desires, and is influenced and affected by many forces. It is impossible to be objective from a subjective basis.
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Let me repeat that. You don't think that's very profound, but listen to it. It is impossible to be objective from a subjective basis. Everyone by nature believes himself to be the true source of right and wrong. In other words, many times we think we aren't objective and we think we have the truth when in reality we have nothing. I can demonstrate what I've just said to you very easily. If I were to say, "Let's take some suggestions, let's take some ideas about a project that I have in mind," and everyone in here makes a suggestion and everyone gives an idea. The truth is you always like your idea and your suggestion better than anyone else's. That's human nature. We always like to think that we're right and that we have the truth and that we have everything on our side.
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Let me tell you what the Bible says in Proverbs 18 and verse 17. The Word of God says, "He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbor cometh and searcheth him out." Now, listen carefully. "He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbor cometh and searcheth him out." In other words, what the Scripture is saying is this: We can very easily rationalize our needs, our desires, and our ways, and we rationalize them in such a way that they seem right and just to us. But then our neighbor comes along who sees things just a little differently and maybe is a little more objective, and he searches out the matter, and then we realize we thought we were right but in reality we were wrong. Let me go a little bit further. Because in Proverbs chapter 12 and verse 15, the Bible says, "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise." Now listen carefully. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes.
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See, that's one of the marks of being a fool. He refuses to receive instruction. He believes he already knows everything. Therefore, he doesn't need to be taught anything. So the way of a fool then is right in his own eyes, but he that hearkens to counsel is wise. In Proverbs 21 in verse 2, the Lord goes further and he tells us this: "Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth the heart." Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but it's the Lord who ponders the heart. So our ways are not necessarily right just because they are our ways.
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Now, look in your Bibles. I've been quoting those verses. But look in your Bibles, Deuteronomy chapter 12 and verse 8. Deuteronomy 12 verse 8. Look at what the Bible says. Look what God declares. Deuteronomy 12 verse 8: "Ye shall not do after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes." What is God saying? You are not to follow, nor are you to have a subjective standard. You're not to do every man what is right in his own eyes.
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Now, let me just quote a passage to you that probably most of you can quote, but there are certain things I want to emphasize. Do you remember the passage in Proverbs 3, verses 5-7? "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil." Now listen to what he says: "lean not to thine own understanding."
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Don't have a subjective standard. "Be not wise in thine own eyes." Do not have a subjective standard.
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Now, let me show you why this is so important. When we're talking about an objective standard, that which is outside of us, and then we're talking about a subjective standard, that which is on the inside of us, whether it's our desires, our lusts, our thoughts, our understanding, it is still a subjective standard. In reality, what you have is this: You have a contest between God and man.
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Let me put it another way. You have a contest between the wisdom of God and the wisdom of man. Now, in reality, it is not a contest because God's wisdom is infinite and man is finite. But the truth is, because of the fall and because of our fallen nature, in the mind of man, we think that what we think and what we know is equal to what God knows and what God thinks, and that our thoughts are just as valid as His, and that our standards are just as valid as His. In other words, we believe by nature that we know what is best for ourselves.
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Now, in essence, what a subjective standard does is this: It dethrones God and enthrones man. Look in your Bibles to 2 Corinthians chapter 10. Here's the passage I've quoted to you innumerable times since I have been preaching to you. Notice 2 Corinthians chapter 10 and verse 5. Once again, this shows you the absolute necessity of an objective standard, and it also shows you the rebellion of a subjective standard. In 2 Corinthians 10, verse 5, the Bible says, "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." Note, if you would, "casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God." Note, it exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought, he says, into the obedience of Jesus Christ. Once again, what the Word of God is demonstrating to us is our absolute need for an objective standard. So when you and I rely upon a subjective standard instead of God's objective standard, what we're doing is that we're exalting ourselves against God.
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And we're exalting our knowledge above God's knowledge. We deny God's standard that we might exalt our own standard. Listen carefully to what I'm about to say. The real reason—this is foundational—the real reason there is so much criticism, contempt, and hatred manifested toward God and His law is right here. If we confess that God is God, and His law, His word is truth, and it is to be our standard, we deny our own Godhood, and we deny our own selves. So, in order to manifest our Godhood, and that no right will curse and deny God and His law. At the very heart of every subjective standard is a denial of God and His law. We either must condemn God or He condemns us. We have to deny God in order to establish our own deity and our own self as God.
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Now, how in the world do people justify such unbiblical and ungodly attitudes? Well, let me show you. Look in your Bibles to 2 Corinthians 10 and verse 12, since you're already there. One of the ways that people justify such unbiblical attitudes and actions is by comparing oneself with others. 2 Corinthians 10 and verse 12: "For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise."
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Now, what is this talking about? It's talking about having a false measure. You are very easily deceived if you have a false measure. Or you are very easily made confident if you have a false measure. By that I mean this: If you compare yourselves among other people, or among some people, you have a very foolish standard. What am I talking about? Suppose I looked around this room and I said, "I've got news for you.
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I can whip Brother Ernie. I can whip him." Well, I might could whip him if my back helped out. But just because I can whip him doesn't mean I can whip every man in this room. So therefore, I could say, "Well, I'm stronger than Brother Ernie. I'm a better fighter than Brother Ernie." What does that prove? Absolutely nothing, because Ernie is not my standard.
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Now, let me show you, this is vitally important. I discovered this week that I can jump 50 feet high. You say, "Brother Weaver, you can't do that." Sure I can. If you let me define a foot, I can lift a thousand pounds. If you let me define a pound, as long as I can make my own standard, I can do or be whatever I want to do or be. I can be just as holy and just as righteous and just as godly as I want to be, as long as I'm holy and just and righteous and godly according to my standard. But when you measure yourself against an objective standard, you may not measure up. Now, you see the importance of what I'm trying to say. There is an objective standard, which is the Word of God.
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And then there are all these subjective standards. Look in your Bibles, if you would please, to the book of Galatians, chapter 6. Galatians, chapter 6. And notice verse 16 of what the Apostle Paul says. Galatians 6 and verse 16. Galatians 6, verse 16. The Apostle Paul says, "And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy upon the Israel of God."
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Now, I've told you this before. I hope you remember it. When the Apostle Paul says, "as many as walk according to this rule," the word "rule" is very important. It is the Greek word "kanon." It is where we get our English word "canon," C-A-N-O-N. Not C-A-N-N-O-N, that's the kind that fires. C-A-N-O-N, we talk about the canon of scripture, or we talk about the Old Testament canon, or the New Testament canon, or canon law, the scriptural law. You know what the word "canon" means? It means a rule. It means a measuring rod, a measuring stick. Now look what the Apostle Paul said: "And as many as walk according to this rule," that is the Word of God, this measuring stick, this measuring tape, "peace be upon them and upon the Israel of God." God has His own standard. God has His own measuring stick. He has His own measuring rod. And as many as walk according to this rule, this measuring stick, peace be upon them and mercy upon the Israel of God.
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So one of the ways we justify our subjective standard is by comparing ourselves with everyone else and building for ourselves a false standard. A second way that we foolishly justify unbiblical attitudes and actions is by believing the devil's line in Genesis 3, verse 5. Look back there. Let me show you this verse, Genesis 3, verse 5. Because it's the impact of what is taught here that is vitally important. Look in Genesis 3 and verse 5.
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The serpent says to the woman, "For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil." Now the word "knowing" in the Hebrew has the force of "determining." Literally what he says is this: "For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, determining for yourself good and evil."
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In other words, you will have your own standard. You don't need God's objective standard. You can determine for yourself right and wrong, good and evil. Isn't that amazing? God came in the garden and gave Adam an objective standard. And here comes a serpent with his temptation and says, "You don't need God's objective standard. You can have your own standard. You can determine for yourself what is right and what is wrong."
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Do you realize the truth is most Christians actually believe the serpent's lie? At least they act as if they believe the serpent's lie because their lives are so unscriptural, unbiblical, ungodly, and unholy. So we justify our unbiblical and ungodly actions either by comparing ourselves with someone else, which is a false standard, or by believing that we are a standard in and of ourselves.
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Now, I want you to look carefully with me at 1 Samuel, chapter 15. In 1 Samuel, chapter 15, you have a clear-cut illustration of man's wisdom pitted against God's wisdom. 1 Samuel, chapter 15, I want you to listen carefully to what I'm about to say. I want you to mark this down one way or the other. Wherever and whenever man's wisdom is allowed to triumph, the determination of good and evil, right and wrong, what's best and what is not best, is completely subjective. Now, I tell you what, before we look at 1 Samuel 15, hold that, we're coming right back.
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Turn in your Bible, Psalm 82. Let me show you. Let me show you the devastation and destruction of a subjective standard. If I were to ask you—please don't laugh—but if I were to ask you, "Are we in a mess in this country?" what would you answer me? Yes. If I were to ask you, "Are we in a mess judicially in this country?" what would you answer? Yes. Economically? Yes. Governmentally? Yes. Now, watch this very carefully in Psalm 82. Psalm 82 is an entire psalm against the judicial system.
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Look what he says: "God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods." Now, the "gods" are the civil rulers, without me going into the background to prove that, but I can do so. But he's talking about the civil rulers. Now watch, he is singling out judges specifically. "How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked?" In other words, they're letting the wicked go for bribes or for whatever reason. God tells them in verse 3, "Defend the poor and fatherless."
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"Do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked." This is what God tells them, but He says, "They know not," that's the judges, "neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course."
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Now, what happens when you have a judicial system that will not abide by an objective standard? God says it turns the world upside down. "All the foundations of the earth are out of course." You know how things are being turned upside down in this country and in all the other countries? Do you know why? Because we have left the objective standard of the Word of God. There was a time in our country when judges issued rulings based upon the Bible. Juries issued rulings based upon the Bible. And when, you know, the judge walks in and the bailiff says, "All rise." You know how that began? Because the judges initially came into the courtroom carrying Bibles. And men rose out of respect for the Word of God. Now they kick out the Bible and want you to rise in respect for the man. What has happened? The foundations of the world are out of course; everything's turned upside down. Now, go back to 1 Samuel 15, because I want you to see when men determine and act as they please, in contradiction to the Word of God, what they're doing is basically turning life upside down.
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Look in 1 Samuel 15. Very quickly, they only have about three points. The first one is a plain command. You're going to find this in the first three verses. A plain command. First of all, look in verse 1, you have a sober reminder. "Samuel also said unto Saul, The Lord sent me to anoint thee to be king over his people, over Israel."
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"Now therefore, hearken thou unto the voice of the words of the Lord." I want you to remember that Saul was anointed king. And when Samuel is talking to Saul, he is reminding Saul that God anointed him and God raised him up that he might do God's bidding. He wants to be God's representative. And Samuel is reminding Saul of this singular fact. He says, "The Lord sent me to anoint thee to be king over Israel. Now therefore," watch what he says, "hearken thou unto the voice of the words of the Lord." Listen to God. Now, all men have a responsibility to hearken to and obey the Word of God. But may I point out that men in positions of trust and authority have a greater responsibility to hearken to the Word of God. You know what our Lord said in Luke 12 and verse 48? He says, "For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required." If you've been given much, God says much more is going to be required of you.
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So if you've been given a position of power, or authority, or trust, God is going to hold you more accountable. In the book of James, chapter 3 and verse 1, James gives us the same truth, but only in a different light. He says, "My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation." "Be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation." Or "be not many teachers, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation."
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Now, if you were to wake up in the morning and read on the morning newspaper headlines, "Ed Wolf arrested robbing a bank." That'd be bad, wouldn't it? I mean, Ed knows better. But you know what would be worse than that? To read the headlines, "Pastor John Weaver arrested robbing a bank." Why? Because I am responsible to teach you what's right. And God has given me that position of trust. And if I then turn around and abuse it, I'm more accountable and more responsible. And God says I'll receive the greater condemnation.
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So Samuel comes to Saul. And he said, "Saul, you better remember, God raised you up. God anointed you. Therefore, you hearken unto him." Each of us are answerable and accountable unto God, but rulers are more accountable because they have received positions of trust and authority. Therefore, says God, they're going to receive the greater condemnation. So in this plain command, he comes, first of all, with a sober reminder.
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Notice, secondly, in verse 2, a solemn remembrance. "Thus saith the Lord of hosts, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way when he came up from Egypt." You know, I find it amazing and sometimes amusing as well as interesting that sometimes some of the most comforting words of the Bible can also be some of the most devastating and destructive words of the Bible. You know three words that are very simple, very beautiful, very comforting, very consoling to the child of God can be full of consternation for the unbeliever. What three words? "And God remembered." Do you remember the Bible says that in Genesis 8 verse 1 concerning Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth and their wives, "and God remembered." And then concerning Rachel in Genesis 30 when God was to bless her, "and God remembered Rachel." And how about this one in Exodus chapter 2 verse 24, "and God remembered his covenant." Ah. But now the Bible says, "Thus saith the Lord of hosts, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel."
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Do you realize God remembers his people for good? He remembers his enemies for destruction. God remembered what Amalek did to Israel.
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Now it is time to reward him for his wickedness. And the amazing thing is this, folks. That which Amalek did to Israel had been 400 years earlier. Look in your Bibles to Deuteronomy 25, hold 1 Samuel, Deuteronomy 25, and notice verse 8. Deuteronomy 25, verse 8. Deuteronomy 25, I believe it is. Let's see.
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No, that's not. That's not the correct verse. It is verse 17. Deuteronomy 25 verse 17. "Remember what Amalek did unto thee by the way, when ye were come forth out of Egypt; how he met thee by the way, and smote the hindmost of thee, even all that were feeble behind thee, when thou wast faint and weary; and he feared not God." Note, if you would please, he remembered what Amalek did. Four hundred years later.
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God's paydays are not always on Friday. And just because people are not smitten instantly does not mean that God is not going to smite them. So the Bible says God remembered what Amalek did. And now it's time to pay Amalek back. So look in verse 3 of 1 Samuel 15. And notice, if you would please, a serious requirement. This is still the plain command. Notice, if you would please, 1 Samuel 15 verse 3. Here's the serious requirement. God tells Saul, "Now go and smite Amalek.
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and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass." Now in giving his plain command, God issues this serious requirement. Utterly destroy the Amalekites. Man, woman, children, ox, ass, camel, sheep, kill them all. Don't leave anything breathing. Spare no one, spare nothing. God's just wrath and vengeance was to be executed upon all.
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There were to be no exceptions. Let me ask you, how could such a plain command be misunderstood? It could not be. God said, "I want you to smite every one of them. Kill them all." Note, secondly, in this passage, a proper consideration. Verses four through seven. "And Saul gathered the people together, and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand footmen, and ten thousand men of Judah. And Saul came to a city of Amalek, and laid wait in the valley. And Saul said unto the Kenites, Go, depart, get you down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them: for ye showed kindness to all the children of Israel, when they came up out of Egypt. So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites. And Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah until thou comest to Shur, that is over against Egypt." Now, in light of the plain command, Saul does three things that demonstrate a proper consideration of the order that he had been given.
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First, he gathers his army in verse 4. He gathers 210,000 footmen.
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Now let me tell you, if you're going to exterminate an entire people, you need an army adequate to do the task. So he gathered an army of 210,000 footmen. The second thing he does is this: He requests that the Kenites, with whom he does not wish to fight, to remove themselves from danger. He remembers it was the Kenites that showed kindness to the children of Israel. And since the Kenites were not listed in God's command for extermination, it was only right that war was not to be made against them.
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So he asked them to please get out of the way. Now, here's a principle, folks, and I believe this principle is exceedingly clear. You do not make war upon the innocent or upon those who are not involved in the conflict. You make war only upon the enemies. You make war upon the soldiers. You don't make war upon innocent people. The Kenites had done nothing wrong. They were not under God's judgment. And so, rightly, He told them to get out of the way.
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And Saul's proper consideration was this: He began by obeying God. Look at verse 7. "And Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah until thou comest to Shur, that is over against Egypt." He actually began by obeying God. He actually began smiting the Amalekites. But you read the entire story with me. And one is reminded of what Paul asked those Galatians in Galatians 5 and verse 7. He says, "Ye did run well.
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Who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?" That's what Paul told the Galatians: you started out good, but why did you stop? Saul started out by obeying God, but he stopped. It is not enough to begin well, we must also finish well.
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Isn't it amazing that we start so many things and never finish them? Isn't that amazing? And we even do that in our own Christian life. It's not enough to start well, we must finish well. It's not sufficient to run well at the beginning of the race. We must run well throughout the race and to the end of the race.
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Now, the interesting thing is this: If we're going to run the race at all, we must run according to the rules of the race. It's just like if I said we're going to have a foot race around 10 blocks. Let's start. And everyone in this congregation began racing with me and I got one block up and then I cut across and came around and I'm the first one at the finish line. Did I win the race? Well, I got there before anyone else. But no, I didn't win the race because I cheated. I never followed the course of the race.
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You know what the Bible says in 2 Timothy 2 and verse 5? Listen. "And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully." So if you and I are going to fight, if you and I are going to obey, if you and I are going to do anything that's biblical and right, we must follow the rules that God has laid down for us.
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Now, God said, "Saul, here's a simple thing for you to do. You go kill all the Amalekites." And he actually started out by obeying God. He smote those Amalekites from Havilah until thou comest to Shur. But here's the third thing, and then I'm going to tie it together for you. I want you to see a personal catastrophe. In verses 8 through 23, something went seriously wrong. Saul began well, but he finished miserably. Instead of obedience to the plain command and in light of the proper consideration, he fell into a personal catastrophe. Why? Let's ask that question. Why did Saul fail? Why did Saul disobey? Why did Saul deviate from the plain command that he had been given? Here's the answer to that question.
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Because he left God's objective standard and followed his own subjective standard. Now look what happened. Verse 8: "And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword. But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly." You see, Saul did not see anything wrong with sparing Agag the king.
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I mean, after all, he was royalty. Saul did not see anything wrong with sparing the best of the sheep, and the best of the oxen, and the best of the fat lambs. Oh, anything that was vile and refuse, oh yes, we'll destroy all of that. Why would God want me to destroy this perfectly good sheep? I mean, after all, this is a valuable animal. If one sheep is valuable, how about a thousand good sheep? And if one cow is good, how about 10,000 good cows? God, you must have made a mistake here. I mean, surely you would not want me to eradicate all this good stuff. Let me ask you, in whose eyes was it good? Saul's and the people's. Not good in God's eyes, but good in their eyes.
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You know, inevitably, someone will raise an objection and say, "But now, Pastor, the people also spared those animals. Saul may have spared the king, and yes, Saul may have spared some of those animals, but the Bible does say the people spared some of those things." Yes, it does. But you must remember that Saul was the leader. Saul was the king. And if you go back to chapter 15 and verse 1, the word of the Lord came specifically to Saul. The people may have wondered or the people may have had to guess or thought, but Saul knew. He knew exactly what God had said. It was his responsibility to tell the people. Saul did not have to guess, he did not have to question, he did not have to think, neither did the people. All Saul and the people had to do was simply to obey. Why did Saul fail?
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The answer is very simple. He left the objective standard of God's Word and followed his own subjective standard. He was going to be the one that determined good and evil. He was going to be the one that determined right and wrong. He was going to be the one that determined what was pure and what was impure. What was Saul doing? He was playing God. You remember back in Genesis 3:5? "For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, ye shall be as gods, knowing," that is determining, "good and evil" for yourselves. And what Saul did was this.
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You've got to have made a mistake. There's nothing wrong with these sheep. There's nothing wrong with Agag. You know what the Bible says in Isaiah 42, verse 8? Let me quote it. God says, "I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images." "I am the Lord: that is my name." Are you listening? "My glory will I not give to another." When you challenge God, you always lose.
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When you want to pit your puny, subjective standard up against God's holy, righteous, infinite, objective standard, you're going to lose every time. Every single time.
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Now, let me make some applications. I want to show you where we are individually, familially, ecclesiastically, nationally. You could make the applications to every one of those areas. I want you to note that Saul incurred the fierce anger and wrath of God. 1 Samuel 15 verses 10 and 11. Look at it. 1 Samuel 15 verses 10 and 11: "Then came the word of the Lord unto Samuel, saying, It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the Lord all night." What did Saul incur by turning from God's objective standard to his own subjective standard? He incurred the fierce anger and wrath of God. Now, here's my question. Are you willing individually, familially, ecclesiastically, that is as a church, and then nationally to face the fierce anger of God? It should be obvious that the provocation of God's anger is an outright denial of God's sovereignty.
#59 | 44:07 to 45:32 | cleaned
I was talking to a friend this week, and he mentioned Hurricane Ivan that was coming up on Florida. I said to my friend, "Do you think God's trying to say something to those Floridians down there?" I said, "And then some of the other—I mean, this is three in a row." You know, it never dawns on most people. And I still get so aggravated every time I hear those weathermen talking about Mother Nature. It's not Mother Nature, it's Father God. But whenever we leave God's objective standard and turn to our subjective standard, we incur the fierce anger and wrath of God, because in reality, when we turn to our standard, we're denying His standard. We're saying that we're God, and God has said, "My glory I'll not share with another." So you're in trouble. Secondly, are you listening?
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Saul not only lost his kingdom, he lost his life. Look in 1 Samuel 15, beginning there in verse 26. "And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord hath rejected thee from being king over Israel. And as Samuel turned about to go away, he laid hold upon the skirt of his mantle, and it rent. And Samuel said unto him, The Lord hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbor of thine, that is better than thou." Look what he said specifically. Verse 26: "And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the Lord." You have rejected God's objective standard, and therefore the Lord hath rejected thee from being king over Israel. Isn't that amazing? He lost his kingdom because he thought his ways and his desires and his plans and his thoughts were wiser and better than God's. That's not all. Look in your Bibles to 2 Samuel 1.
#61 | 46:48 to 48:04 | cleaned
You're talking about justice. Watch this. 2 Samuel 1. Verse 2: "It came even to pass on the third day, that, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul with his clothes rent, and earth upon his head: and so it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and did obeisance. And David said unto him, From whence comest thou? And he said unto him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped. And David said unto him, How went the matter?
#62 | 48:04 to 48:35 | cleaned
I pray thee, tell me. And he answered, That the people are fled from the battle, and many of the people also are fallen and dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also. And David said unto the young man that told him, How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son be dead? And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him. And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called unto me. And I answered, Here am I. And he said unto me, Who art thou? And I answered him, I am an Amalekite. He said unto me again, Stand, I pray thee, upon me, and slay me: for anguish is come upon me, because my life is yet whole in me. So I stood upon him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen.
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And I took the crown that was upon his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them hither unto my lord." Saul spared the best, and the best slew Saul. He took the crown off his head, the bracelet off his arm. Let me tell you something, folks. When we turn from God's objective standard, we're in far more danger individually, familially, ecclesiastically, and nationally than you can imagine. Saul lost his kingdom and he lost his life. Why? Because he wouldn't do what he thought was best. Instead of bowing to the totality of God's word. Watch this thirdly.
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Every disobedience involves elements of pride, lust, and covetousness. Go back to verse 16, 1 Samuel 15. "Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what the Lord hath said to me this night. And he said unto him, Say on. And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the Lord anointed thee king over Israel? And the Lord sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed. Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the Lord, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the Lord?" Now let's stop there. Samuel said, "Saul, I've got something to say to you." Well, he said, "Just say on." He said, "When you were little, God made you king. God elevated you. God promoted you. Now you've got to be king. You've become arrogant and proud. And you think you know more than God.
#65 | 50:21 to 51:31 | cleaned
And so now you've decided you're going to disobey God and obey your own whims. Moreover, when you saw the spoil, you flew upon it. You're nothing but a covetous, greedy, selfish, wicked man." That's to the king. In every disobedience, I don't care what disobedience it is, there are always elements of pride, lust, and covetousness. Why did he leave God's objective standard? Because of his pride and arrogance and because of his covetousness. He wanted what God had condemned. Fourthly, listen carefully. Subjectivism is not simply disobedience.
#66 | 51:33 to 52:36 | cleaned
It is a form of idolatry. Skip down to verses 22 and 23. After he says, "Well, we've spared all these sheep and all these oxen that we may sacrifice them unto the Lord." Verse 22: "And Samuel said, 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.
#67 | 52:40 to 53:07 | cleaned
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." Now he said, "rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft." What was the penalty for witchcraft? Death. "And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry." What was the penalty for idolatry? Death. Subjectivism is not just simply disobedience, it is a form of idolatry, because when we turn from God's objective standard, it is so that we may elevate our own personal standard, and in doing so, we're claiming to be God ourselves.
#68 | 53:08 to 53:56 | cleaned
Now, listen to this simple statement, and don't ever forget it. The Bible is our sole authority for faith and practice. The Bible is our sole authority for faith and practice. Whatever you do or whatever you shall do that is contrary to the Word of God is wrong. I don't care how it makes you feel. I don't care what your experience is. I don't care how you rejoice in it. If it is contrary to the word of God, it is wrong. Let me leave you with this one statement. We must never allow our experiences to interpret the Bible. We must always use the Bible to interpret our experiences. The Bible is our sole authority for faith and practice.
#69 | 54:01 to 55:17 | cleaned
You say, "Brother Weaver, does your church have a constitution?" It sure does. What is it? The Bible. "Does your church have a covenant?" It sure does. What is it? The Bible. "Does your church have standards of conduct?" We surely do. What is it? The Bible. The Bible is our sole authority for faith and practice. And when we leave that objective standard, the only thing left in our lives is subjectivism.
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And I want to tell you something, folks. I'd rather have God's infinite wisdom than my finite wisdom. His Word is truth. Father, we bow before Thee this day. We acknowledge Your infinite mercy and grace to us, and we're so thankful for Your objective standard, the Word of God. We do not have to guess. We do not have to think. We do not have to question. We just simply need to obey. To learn and apply and obey. Give us grace to serve Thee acceptably with reverence and godly fear.
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In Thy name we pray, Amen.
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deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-05T14:35:33Z

Objective Standard vs. a Subjective Standard

John Weaver | Freedom Ministries

John Weaver contrasts God's objective standard (His Word) with man's subjective standard (personal reasoning and desires). Using 1 Samuel 15, he shows how Saul's partial obedience, driven by pride and covetousness, was rebellion and idolatry. The sermon emphasizes that the Bible is the sole authority for faith and practice, and departing from it leads to personal and societal destruction.

Introduction: Defining Objective and Subjective Standards

Scripture Reading — 1 Samuel 15:4-9

"Go, depart, get you down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them: for you showed kindness to all the children of Israel when they came up out of Egypt."

The Foolishness of Subjective Standards

Let me tell you what the Bible says in Proverbs 18 and verse 17. The Word of God says,

Scripture Reading — Proverbs 18:17

"He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbor cometh and searcheth him out."

Now, listen carefully.

Scripture Reading — Proverbs 18:17

"He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbor cometh and searcheth him out."

Scripture Reading — Proverbs 12:15

"Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth the heart."

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but it's the Lord who ponders the heart. So our ways are not necessarily right just because they are our ways.

The Contest Between God's Wisdom and Man's Wisdom

Scripture Reading — 2 Corinthians 10:5

"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."

Note, if you would,

Scripture Reading — 2 Corinthians 10:5

"casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God."

False Justifications for Subjective Standards

People justify subjective standards by comparing themselves to others (2 Corinthians 10:12) or believing the serpent's lie in Genesis 3:5 that they can determine good and evil for themselves.

Scripture Reading — Genesis 3:5

"For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil."

The Consequences of Abandoning God's Standard

Psalm 82 illustrates that when judges abandon God's objective standard, the foundations of the earth are out of course. Societal chaos results from rejecting biblical authority.

Exposition of 1 Samuel 15: Saul's Disobedience

Scripture Reading — James 3:1

"My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation." "Be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation."

Scripture Reading — James 3:1

"be not many teachers, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation."

No, that's not. That's not the correct verse. It is verse 17. Deuteronomy 25 verse 17.

Scripture Reading — Deuteronomy 25:17-18

"Remember what Amalek did unto thee by the way, when ye were come forth out of Egypt; how he met thee by the way, and smote the hindmost of thee, even all that were feeble behind thee, when thou wast faint and weary; and he feared not God."

The Root of Saul's Failure: Subjective Standard

Saul failed because he left God's objective standard and followed his own subjective standard, determining good and evil for himself. This was playing God, echoing Genesis 3:5.

You've got to have made a mistake. There's nothing wrong with these sheep. There's nothing wrong with Agag. You know what the Bible says in Isaiah 42, verse 8? Let me quote it. God says,

Scripture Reading — Isaiah 42:8

"I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images." "I am the Lord: that is my name."

Are you listening?

Scripture Reading — Isaiah 42:8

"My glory will I not give to another."

When you challenge God, you always lose.

Applications and Warnings

Conclusion: The Bible as Sole Authority

In Thy name we pray, Amen.

Objective Standard vs. a Subjective Standard

John Weaver | SermonAudio

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	SermonAudio
Media ID	91604123156
Subject	Old Testament Studies
Course	Proverbs: The Fear of the Lord and Wisdom: The Doctrine of Election
Genre	Sermon
Date	2004-09-12
Dictation Name
Book	Book 081: Proverbs: The Fear of the Lord and Wisdom - Volume 1 — Chapter 2
Source Timed Segments	72

Lecture Guide

Outline

Introduction: Defining Objective and Subjective Standards: Weaver defines an objective standard as one outside oneself, unaffected by the fall, while a subjective standard is based on personal thoughts and desires. He asserts it is impossible to be objective from a subjective basis.
The Foolishness of Subjective Standards: Using Proverbs 18:17, 12:15, and 21:2, Weaver shows that people naturally think their own ways are right, but this is the mark of a fool. Deuteronomy 12:8 commands against doing what is right in one's own eyes.
The Contest Between God's Wisdom and Man's Wisdom: Weaver explains that a subjective standard dethrones God and enthrones man. 2 Corinthians 10:5 shows that human reasoning exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and the real reason for hatred of God's law is the desire to be one's own god.
False Justifications for Subjective Standards: People justify subjective standards by comparing themselves to others (2 Corinthians 10:12) or believing the serpent's lie in Genesis 3:5 that they can determine good and evil for themselves.
The Consequences of Abandoning God's Standard: Psalm 82 illustrates that when judges abandon God's objective standard, the foundations of the earth are out of course. Societal chaos results from rejecting biblical authority.
Exposition of 1 Samuel 15: Saul's Disobedience: Weaver walks through the chapter: God's plain command to utterly destroy Amalek, Saul's proper initial consideration, and his personal catastrophe in sparing Agag and the best spoil, substituting his own judgment for God's command.
The Root of Saul's Failure: Subjective Standard: Saul failed because he left God's objective standard and followed his own subjective standard, determining good and evil for himself. This was playing God, echoing Genesis 3:5.
Applications and Warnings: Weaver applies the lesson individually, familially, ecclesiastically, and nationally. Saul incurred God's fierce anger, lost his kingdom and life, and his disobedience involved pride, lust, and covetousness. Subjectivism is idolatry.
Conclusion: The Bible as Sole Authority: The Bible is the sole authority for faith and practice. Experiences must be interpreted by Scripture, not vice versa. Weaver exhorts the congregation to rely on God's infinite wisdom rather than finite human wisdom.

Major Themes

Key Arguments

It is impossible to be objective from a subjective basis.

Human reasoning, tainted by sin, cannot produce an unbiased standard; only an external, divine standard can be truly objective.

Weaver states: 'It is impossible to be objective from a subjective basis.' He illustrates with the example of personal ideas always seeming best.

A subjective standard dethrones God and enthrones man.

Relying on personal judgment instead of God's Word is an act of rebellion that exalts human knowledge above divine revelation.

2 Corinthians 10:5 is cited: 'Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God...'

Comparing oneself to others is a false measure.

Using other people as a standard leads to self-deception and false confidence, as it avoids the true measure of God's Word.

2 Corinthians 10:12: '...they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.'

The serpent's lie in Genesis 3:5 is the root of subjectivism.

Satan's temptation was to make man his own god, determining good and evil independently of God's command.

Genesis 3:5: '...ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.' Weaver explains 'knowing' means 'determining.'

Saul's disobedience was a result of pride and covetousness.

Saul thought he knew better than God and desired the spoil, revealing the sinful motives behind his subjective standard.

1 Samuel 15:17-19: Samuel rebukes Saul for flying upon the spoil and doing evil, after being made king when little in his own sight.

Partial obedience is still disobedience.

Saul's sparing of Agag and the best animals, while destroying the vile, was a violation of God's plain command and constituted rebellion.

1 Samuel 15:9: 'But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep...' contrasted with the command in verse 3.

Rejecting God's Word incurs His fierce anger and judgment.

God's response to Saul's disobedience was regret and rejection, demonstrating that subjectivism provokes divine wrath.

1 Samuel 15:10-11: 'It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king...' and verse 26: '...thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord hath rejected thee...'

The Bible must interpret experience, not vice versa.

Subjective feelings and experiences are unreliable; they must be tested and interpreted by the objective truth of Scripture.

Weaver states: 'We must never allow our experiences to interpret the Bible. We must always use the Bible to interpret our experiences.'

Scripture References

1 Samuel 15:1-3: God's command to Saul to utterly destroy Amalek.
1 Samuel 15:4-9: Saul's partial obedience, sparing Agag and the best spoil.
1 Samuel 15:10-11: God's regret over making Saul king due to his disobedience.
1 Samuel 15:13-23: Samuel's confrontation with Saul and the declaration that obedience is better than sacrifice.
Proverbs 18:17: He that is first in his own cause seems just, but his neighbor searches him out.
Proverbs 12:15: The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but the wise hearken to counsel.
Proverbs 21:2: Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord ponders the heart.
Deuteronomy 12:8: Ye shall not do every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes.
Proverbs 3:5-7: Trust in the Lord, lean not to thine own understanding, be not wise in thine own eyes.
2 Corinthians 10:5: Casting down imaginations that exalt themselves against the knowledge of God.
2 Corinthians 10:12: Comparing themselves among themselves is not wise.
Galatians 6:16: As many as walk according to this rule (canon), peace be on them.
Genesis 3:5: The serpent's lie that man shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
Psalm 82:1-5: God judges among the gods; unjust judges cause the foundations of the earth to be out of course.
Luke 12:48: To whom much is given, much is required.
James 3:1: Be not many masters, knowing we shall receive the greater condemnation.
Deuteronomy 25:17-18: Remember what Amalek did to Israel when they came out of Egypt.
Galatians 5:7: Ye did run well; who did hinder you?
2 Timothy 2:5: If a man strive for masteries, he is not crowned except he strive lawfully.
Isaiah 42:8: I am the Lord; my glory will I not give to another.

Historical References

Amalekites' attack on Israel during the Exodus: God remembered Amalek's ambush of the weary Israelites 400 years earlier, leading to the command for their destruction.
Kenites' kindness to Israel: The Kenites showed kindness to Israel during the Exodus, so Saul warned them to depart before attacking Amalek.
Hurricane Ivan (2004): Weaver mentions Hurricane Ivan approaching Florida as a possible sign of God's judgment, criticizing the term 'Mother Nature.'
Historical practice of judges carrying Bibles into court: Weaver notes that judges once entered courtrooms carrying Bibles, and people rose out of respect for God's Word, not the man.

Important Quotes

It is impossible to be objective from a subjective basis.

This encapsulates the core thesis that human reasoning cannot produce an unbiased standard.

He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbor cometh and searcheth him out.

Quoted from Proverbs 18:17 to show how self-justification is easily exposed by outside examination.

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

Proverbs 12:15, used to define the fool as one who rejects external counsel.

Ye shall not do after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes.

Deuteronomy 12:8, a direct command against subjective standards.

For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.

1 Samuel 15:23, equating subjectivism with capital offenses under God's law.

The Bible is our sole authority for faith and practice.

The concluding principle that all belief and conduct must be governed by Scripture alone.

We must never allow our experiences to interpret the Bible. We must always use the Bible to interpret our experiences.

A key hermeneutical and practical application of the objective standard.

Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

1 Samuel 15:22, the central verse of the passage, emphasizing obedience over religious ritual.

Discussion Questions

[Question]

What are some modern examples of subjective standards that Christians might adopt without realizing it?

[Context]

Weaver argues that most Christians have never consciously thought of their need for an objective standard.

[Question]

How does comparing ourselves to others (2 Corinthians 10:12) lead to a false sense of righteousness?

[Context]

Weaver uses the illustration of being able to whip Brother Ernie but not every man in the room.

[Question]

In what ways do we, like Saul, rationalize partial obedience as full obedience?

[Context]

Saul claimed to have performed the commandment while the evidence of bleating sheep proved otherwise.

[Question]

Why is rebellion equated with witchcraft and idolatry in 1 Samuel 15:23?

[Context]

Weaver explains that subjectivism is a form of idolatry because it enthrones self as God.

[Question]

How can we practically ensure that the Bible interprets our experiences rather than the reverse?

[Context]

Weaver concludes with the principle that Scripture must be the lens for evaluating all experiences.

[Question]

What are the dangers of a judicial system that abandons an objective standard, according to Psalm 82?

[Context]

Weaver applies the psalm to modern society, noting that the foundations of the earth are out of course.

[Question]

How does the serpent's lie in Genesis 3:5 manifest in our daily decision-making?

[Context]

Weaver says most Christians act as if they believe they can determine good and evil for themselves.

[Question]

What does it mean to 'strive lawfully' (2 Timothy 2:5) in the context of obeying God's commands?

[Context]

Weaver uses the analogy of a foot race where cutting corners disqualifies the runner.

Applications

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deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | weaver_study | 2026-06-06T03:15:34Z