Was it possible that the people would offer to God animals that were not sound and good? Yes, the last book of the Old Testament records (Malachi 1:88And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the Lord of hosts. (Malachi 1:8)) that blind, lame and sick animals were offered in sacrifices. The sacrifices of the Old Testament all pointed on to the sacrifice of the holy, spotless Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us on Calvary’s cross.
Anyone who served the false gods of the nations was to be stoned to death, if it were known to be true by the word of two or three witnesses.
To think that men and women who knew of the true God, could really bow down to the sun, or the moon, or the stars, which have no life, and can neither hear nor speak! Yet everyone has an object that his heart is set upon, and if it be not the Lord Jesus, it is an idol in God’s sight. Perhaps it is one’s self; sometimes it is money, or power, but there are many things that are idols.
The presence of God was the place to seek an answer in matters too hard for man (verse 8), and that word was final (verse 11); whoever refused to abide by the sentence spoken there, should be put to death. This should lead Christians to consider the importance of attending closely to the Word of God, the only safe guide, for man cannot be trusted.
The people would demand a king, that they might be like the godless world around them; he should be king whom God would choose for them.
God chose David to be king, but his son Solomon, when he came to reign. did the very things that were forbidden in verses 16 and 17. What a record the Bible is, of the blessed God, and of poor failing, untrustworthy man!
The Word of God is again brought in, at the close of the chapter, as the rule of life to be followed always.