One More who Changed the World Week 2: Samuel Day 2 Hannah and the birth of Samuel provide us with another example of how God uses those that society would vote the “least likely to succeed.” The distinctions of wealth, status, beauty and education are meager when compared to a genuine faith in almighty God. Hannah had faith that not only changed her life, but would impact the entire nation. When God gifts her with a son, she honors her vow and brings the child to the priest, Eli. We might imagine that she did so with a heavy heart, but the way she worships God in prayer before leaving Samuel tells us something else. She says that her “heart rejoices in the Lord” and goes on to show her understanding of who God is – one who “brings death and makes alive,” “humbles and exalts,” “raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap” (see 1 Samuel 2:1-8). She boldly proclaims, “It is not by strength that one prevails; those who oppose the Lord will be broken. The Most High will thunder from heaven; the Lord will judge the ends of the earth” (2:9b-10a). The author of 1 Samuel uses these vivid descriptions from Hannah’s prayer to set the stage for what God is about to do among the corrupt leadership of Israel, including Eli the priest’s own family. 1 Samuel 3:1–21 1The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions. 2 One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the Lord, where the ark of God was. 4 Then the Lord called Samuel. Samuel answered, “Here I am.” 5 And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down. 6 Again the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” “My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. 8 A third time the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. 9 So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10 The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” 11 And the Lord said to Samuel: “See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears about it tingle. 12 At that time I will carry out against Eli everything I spoke against his family—from beginning to end. 13 For I told him that I would judge his family forever because of the sin he knew about; his sons blasphemed God, and he failed to restrain them. 14 Therefore I swore to the house of Eli, ‘The guilt of Eli’s house will never be atoned for by sacrifice or offering.’ ” 15 Samuel lay down until morning and then opened the doors of the house of the Lord. He was afraid to tell Eli the vision, 16 but Eli called him and said, “Samuel, my son.” Samuel answered, “Here I am.” 17 “What was it he said to you?” Eli asked. “Do not hide it from me. May God deal with you, be it ever so severely, if you hide from me anything he told you.” 18 So Samuel told him everything, hiding nothing from him. Then Eli said, “He is the Lord; let him do what is good in his eyes.” 19 The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground. 20 And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognized that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the Lord. 21 The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word. How does verse 1 set the context for Samuel’s divine encounter? Why was God judging Eli’s sons? How did Samuel feel about telling Eli of his vision (verse 15)? What did he tell Eli (verse 18)? A change is gonna come Within the account of Samuel, you see God’s relentless pursuit of a nation that frequently discounted him. Apart from faithful families like Elkanah and Hannah, we know from the book of Judges that this was a time when many people were living apart from God’s revealed truth and doing whatever they wanted. This lawlessness had even reached the priests. Eli’s sons exemplified this corruption and 1 Samuel 2 gives us a rundown of their crimes and the judgment God had already pronounced. Not only did these wicked men abuse their position to exploit others, but they made a mockery of the ordinances that were designed by God to allow his people to have a relationship with him (2:12–27). While he had confronted his sons about their actions (2:22–35), Eli is held accountable for enabling their misconduct. He is said to have honored his sons more than his Lord (2:29). God would remove his family from their position of power. How can honoring others above God lead to disaster for us and them? Can you give an example? The behavior of Eli’s sons is contrasted in chapter 2 with Samuel who “continued to grow in stature and in favor with the Lord and with people” (1 Samuel 2:26). Though God had limited his direct communication with his people and allowed them to go their own way, he was going to provide them with a voice who would speak truth into their depravity. Samuel grew up serving in the tabernacle under Eli’s care. Even though Samuel had avoided the corrupting influence of Eli’s sons, he hadn’t encountered God either. That was about to change. As the boy slept near the ark of God, Yahweh calls him. Eli sends Samuel back to bed three times, perhaps assuming the boy was dreaming or just hearing things. Then finally Eli realizes what is happening and then helps Samuel understand. Imagine being Samuel, lying there waiting for the Lord to speak. Do you think he was worried that the Lord might not call him again, or was the boy more afraid that he would? The message Samuel receives would have been very difficult to hear and pass on. He had lived with Eli since he was a toddler. But at Eli’s insistence, Samuel confirms what Eli has already been told: God was judging his family. Eli is resigned to the Lord’s will and Samuel has passed his first test as a prophet of God. It would not be the last time Samuel needed the courage to speak a hard truth. Consider times when we have to share hard truths. How can we know if what we are sharing is of the Lord? Is there a hard truth you need to share now? Are there ways you can share that would make it easier to hear? God had taken the initiative in each stage of Samuel’s life, from his birth to his calling, and Samuel responded by obediently sharing exactly what the Lord had told him. On the one hand, it’s a simple thing to repeat what you’ve been told. But when you know the truth will be hard to hear, sharing a message takes courage and resolve. As Christ’s ambassadors, we have his truth through the Bible and his command to share it. While we also need courage and resolve, we need more than a soapbox and a bullhorn to communicate it effectively. Samuel showed self-discipline in getting up three times to respond to what he thought was Eli’s call. He was obedient to his guardian and, even at a young age, had a good reputation (see 1 Samuel 2:26). A messenger with good character validates the message, especially a tough one. Jesus told us to be salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16). We are to season our speech so that others want to hear, and provide truth and understanding that will light their way. We will do this most effectively when our lives reflect the one we represent. 1 Samuel 3:19 tells us that the Lord was with Samuel and let none of his words fall to the ground. Samuel’s prophesies would be meaningful and effectual because they came from God. As we continue our survey of Samuel’s life, we’ll see that he acted not only as prophet and priest, but as a judge over all of Israel, and God would use him to bring wisdom and truth to Israel. If only they would listen.
Posted on: Tue, 18 Mar 2014 15:24:31 +0000
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