1 Samuel 3:1-21

When God speaks, you must listen!

Transition from Eli to Samuel

The greatest commandment that God has given to His people the Israelites is found in Deut. 6:4-6 .

It begins with the word “Hear” (Shema) which means listen and obey. To listen and obey the commandment to love God with all their being.

Sadly, Eli and his sons, did not “shema”. They failed to listen and obey God and their was consequences to their failure to listen and obey. That led to their demise and being replaced by a priest whom God raised. A priest who will listen and obey God - Samuel.

In this passage, the authors tells us of a transition from Eli to Samuel.

I. Rare Revelation from God (v.1)

wickedness of the priesthood

II. God calls Samuel (vv.2-10)

Samuel has not heard God’s voice yet and so he was not aware that it was God calling Him.

Samuel, listened to God.

III. God’s Revelation to Samuel (vv.11-18)

Why? to prepare Samuel for transition, to instill reverential fear about the holiness of god, to give Samuel his first prophetic message as God’s prophet.

Samuel told the truth to Eli.

IV. Abundant revelation from God (vv.19-21)

the Lord was with Samuel because he was not just a hearer of the word, he was a doer as well.

The Lord sanctified Samuel

The Lord revealed himself to Samuel.

Samuel was mightily used by the Lord to bring the message of God to the people.

The people were blessed!

Gospel:

The word of the Lord was hindered by the wicked priests so God raised a faithful priest and prophet in Samuel and the word of the Lord came to the people and the people were blessed and Worship was restored In Israel. But that was temporary...because the people still are living in their sin. That’s why God has to send His one and only Son to accomplish salvation for sinners, which the priest and the prophets of the Old Covenant can’t.

Hebrews 1:1–2 “1 God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, 2 in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.”

Conclusion:

God’s presence will not accompany those who mocks His holiness and surely He will punish those who dishonor Him, but God calls and raises up people to serve Him and He reveals himself to them!

Application:

Like Samuel, we must listen to God’s Word for we are His ambassadors.

Like Samuel, we must tell God’s Word the way it is and avoid twisting His Word - we must tell them about sin and judgment.

We must be intentional in our walk in holiness for without holiness no one will see God - Heb 12:14.

Illustration:

Ambassador removed from Post for bad-mouthing and misrepresenting the President.

A news from Wall Street Journal released on Oct. 3, 2019 says,

“Trump Ordered Ukraine Ambassador Removed After Complaints From Giuliani, Others

Marie Yovanovitch dismissed after Trump allies said she was blocking Biden probe and bad-mouthing president, people familiar with the matter say”.

It would be a tragedy to be removed from a good position and to be stripped off from the privileges.

Be careful how you represent your King and Master Jesus Christ!

Because your words, actions, and behavior reflects the Master you represent!