God Speaks

As I've been working through the Bible I've been sharing some of the things from each book that have stood out to me from each one. I'm currently in the first chapters of 1 Samuel. I shared a very little bit from chapter one yesterday, as Hannah is one of the Biblical women to have a miraculous birth. Today I want to share what I've noticed about the early life of the miracle son she was given.

In 1 Samuel 1.11, Hannah promises that if the Lord will give her son, she will give him to the Lord for service. God answers her request, and once Samuel is weaned, Hannah takes him to the house of the Lord, and dedicates him to God. He is placed in the care of Eli the priest.

Chapter two tells us that Eli's sons were worthless mess that did not know God or the priestly customs. They used their position for their own gain and comfort, and it says that their sin was very great before God. Their father largely ignores the issue until the people bring it to his attention, and when he confronts them about it they refuse to listen The text says that the Lord desired to put them to death. And this is followed with verse 26, "Now the boy Samuel was growing in stature and in favor both with the Lord and with men."

And then we come to 1 Samuel 3. It begins by telling us that word from the Lord was rare in those days and visions were infrequent. I think a lot of this comes from the poor spiritual leadership. But I think a lot of it also has to do with the fact that most of the people really weren't actively seeking God, a trend that can be seen since the death of Joshua. But when people are available and listening, when they are waiting, watching, and present before God, He speaks.

1 Samuel 1.3b, "and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord where the ark of God was,". The ark was where God would meet with the high priest. It is where His presence would rest when He came to dwell among the people in the wilderness. It was God's throne on earth, and Samuel is lying down at the throne of God. He is present for God to speak. His mind has not been corrupted by power as a young boy. And so God speaks to Samuel.

At first he does not know it is God. Three times he goes to Eli, thinking Eli is calling him, and the third time Eli discerns that God is speaking to Samuel and instructs him how to respond. The next time God calls him, Samuel responds, "Speak, for Your servant is listening" (1 Samuel 3.10b). God begins to tell Samuel what He is about to do. As Samuel grows God is with Him, and the people know that he is God's prophet.

God spoke because Samuel was present. He was before the throne of God, and able to listen. God spoke because Samuel was willing to listen. At first he didn't know the voice of God. But once he was instructed, He responds and listens to God. God was with Samuel and used Him because Samuel was available and willing to be used.

As I think about this I see the importance of intentionally being in the presence of God. I shared a little on this same idea in a post called Two Men Called to Lead. I see the importance of listening to God. God was with Samuel because he listened to Him and followed him. The people knew that God had chosen Samuel because Samuel listened to God.

In this I also see the importance of teaching people to listen and respond to God. Eli, despite his failures as a father, helped Samuel know the voice of God. If people don't know how God speaks, how will they know when He is speaking to them? If people don't know how to respond to God, what will they do when He is speaking to them?

So may the Church make itself available to listen to God. May it have leaders that lead the people to God, and instruct them on how to listen and respond to God when He speaks. May we grow in stature and in favor with God and the world. May the world know the Church is God's. And may we reflect that we are God's

To God alone be the Glory!

Peace be with you