Samuel
– A Lifetime
Serving God
·
Last
week we discussed Eli's great failure. He failed to discipline his sons, and he
failed to respect the holiness of God's sacrifices (2:29). But under his care,
"Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the Lord".
What Eli failed to do with his own sons, he made sure he didn't repeat with
Samuel.
·
But
there are consequences for sin, and letting our love and respect for God grow
lukewarm. The first verse of Chapter 3 tells us the word of the Lord was rare
in those days. If we push God away, we shouldn't be surprised if God doesn't
seem as close as He once was.
·
Samuel
is probably in his early teens now. He is in the tabernacle, within hearing
distance of Eli, who is growing old, and Eli's health is not what it once was.
·
Don't
overlook the lamp. The Law (Lev. 24:3,4; Exod. 30:7,8) tells us the lamp was to
be tended all night. 3:3 tells us the lamp was probably then allowed to go out
as morning came. But notice how the dimming light reflects how the light of
God's word has also dimmed
·
Samuel
hears a voice (3:4). Why doesn't Eli hear? Why doesn't Samuel know who it is?
·
By
the third time the voice calls, Eli realizes who it is. It must have been
terribly sad moment for Eli to realize God was not speaking to him. But just as
Eli's raising of Samuel was honoring of God, Eli handles this moment with a
mature grace.
·
Eli
tells Samuel to go back, and to answer the Lord (3:9) Now, look at what God's
message to Samuel was. It was not 'well done, boy, good job, appreciate your
hard work'. The Lord has a serious pronouncement, and reiterates His judgment
against the household of Eli.
·
What
effect do you think this had on young Eli? What was the message behind the
words?
·
Samuel
was understandably reluctant to tell Eli what had happened (3:15). But Eli probably
already knew what it was about. He wanted to hear it from Samuel, Eli didn’t
run from it.
·
Eli
took full responsibility for his actions (3:18). Another good lesson for
Samuel.
·
God's
discipline is to be taken seriously (Psalms 119:120)
·
The
torch has been passed. From now on, Samuel is God's man. And all Israel knows
it (3:20)
#1) Though we "reap what we
sow", God has unique ways to give us a second chance
#2) We must never allow
ourselves to blame God or anyone else for our failures
#3) We must never fail to accept
the fact that we may need to allow someone else to do what we can't
#4) God wants to speak clearly
and regularly to all of us through the Holy Scriptures
For
next week, read I Samuel 4
