The answer is: Samuel

1 Samuel 15:22 - This statement by Samuel underscores the importance of obedience to God's commands over ritualistic practices. It reflects a theme found throughout Scripture, highlighting that true worship involves a heart aligned with God's will, as seen in Psalm 51:16-17 where God desires a contrite heart over sacrifices.

The phrase "To obey is better than sacrifice," spoken by the prophet Samuel, carries deep significance and resonates through the stories and teachings of the Bible. This reminder emphasizes that genuine worship isn’t just a checklist of rituals or offerings. Instead, it focuses on the inner alignment of one's heart and actions with God's will. We see this notion echoed throughout scripture; take, for example, the famous story of King Saul. Samuel confronted him after Saul spared the Amalekite king, which went against God’s direct command. This illustrates that disobedience, even if accompanied by lavish sacrifices, falls short of true devotion.

Additional scriptures reinforce this message beautifully. In Micah 6:6-8, the prophet urges that God isn’t pleased with burnt offerings or rivers of oil, but rather that we act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God—clear parallels motivating hearts over hollow actions. Here's a fun Tidbit: ancient Israelite sacrifices were a crucial part of community life! They weren’t merely for individual atonement; they brought people together in worship.

Worship should engage our whole beings—combining our hearts, minds, and acts of service to break free from mere ritualism into authentic faith expression. Yes, even Jesus highlighted this principle when critiquing the Pharisees’ practices. Ultimately, obedience grows from knowing and loving the divine intimately—a refreshing twist that reshapes how we view spirituality and moral living.