From Famine to Feasting
Notes
Transcript
Famine to Feasting
Introduction
well i have was reading the girls a book recently called Growing Up Under a Red flag. one of the girls borrowed it from the library. it talks about the experience of a chinese woman Ying Chang Compestine who grew up in Communist China under Mao Zedong. just a really engaging but sad story. and one particular sad scene was around food coupons. the government gave food coupons to each household. everything was rationed. the country was so poor. everyone was clamouring to get what food there was. so she had to use these - green coupon for veges, red for meat to get food for her family. in the scene, she talks about some young boy who had tried to steal one of her coupons from her. she full on chases the boy down and tackles him screams out give it back. and it just hits you because China had been through the worst famine in the early 60s. Under Mao zedong, the great chinese famine just happened a few years earlier. over 15 million people died. it was an absolute horrible famine. not only that it’s the cultural revolution. Mao is eliminating with force any foreign material - no bibles - children dressed in uniform and carried the Little Red Book of Mao’s teachings. they had a soldier live in with them to spy on them. her dad was taken away accused of being a foreign spy. it was a horrible experience. but my kids were hooked on the story. I was reading it everyday for a good month there, one even came not as a disney character in her schools book week but as they girl dressed in uniform.
Church, I want to ask you this morning, but does the thought of being starved of Gods’ Word terrify you? as i read the book the thought of not being alble to provide food for the family and it really got me. starved. but i’m not talking about food food, I’m talking about spiritual food. The word of God. Does the thought of being starved of God’s Word terrify you? That’s actually worse
1. A Famine in the Word of God
Because that’s the problem in Israel. There is a famine in the Word. See it right there in verse 1? second half.
1 Samuel 3:1 (ESV)
Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord in the presence of Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision.
Friends, that should set alarm bells ringing in your ears. This is terrible news. To not hear from God is really really bad. Why?
Well because God always spoke to his people. It’s all throughout the Old Testament. He spoke directly. He spoke in visions. He is their God. they are his covenant people. This is part of being in relationship. You talk. But this is God. And God speaks to his people. God spoke to their forefathers. He spoke to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Joshua, Gideon. In fact all the leaders that God raised up were directed by God’s Word.
And more than that, they depended on God’s Word. just as we need bread and water to live, a baby needs its mothers milk to survive and thrive, God’s people needed God’s word to live. It’s absolutely essential. It’s so basic. They need it for their spiritual lives. Nothing else will give them spiritual nourishment. Without the word of God they are prone to spiritual disease, spiritual foolishness, spiritual enemies. In fact Deuteronomy 8:3 second half
Deuteronomy 8:3 (ESV)
...man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.
So, are you terrified of the thought of a famine in the word of God?
It’s into this context we come to our passage.
We know why God is silent don’t we? If you have been with us in 1 Samuel so far, we have seen Israel’s absolutely corrupt priests. Priests who do not even know God. Hophni and Phinehas are described as worthless. They do not know God. And their father wasn’t much better. He honored his sons above God. he should’ve quickly dealt with their sins. But he doesn’t.
So is it any wonder God’s Word was rare in those days? Because this is part of God’s judgment on Israel. The bible does not just talk about fire and brimstone when it comes to judgment, it also talks about God withdrawing himself. He is silent. And so there’s a famine in the Word.
And here as we pick it up in verse 2 Eli is nearing the end of his life. He can’t see spiritually, now he can’t see physically.
Come to verse 2
At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his own place. The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was.
We know God is moving on from the house of Eli. God will end his line. But here God is at work in this young boy Samuel. Picture the scene. He is asleep at the temple and the lamp is on. This is the sacred flame outside the tabernacle that stays alight until morning. it’s still on which tells us it’s still night time.
He is in the temple and the author tells us this is where the ark of God was. Given this scene, we’re expecting God to do something. And he does. Come to verse 4 the famine of the Word is lifting – God speaks. verse 4
Then the Lord called Samuel, and he said, “Here I am!” and ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down.
And the Lord called again, “Samuel!” and Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.”
Skip down to verse 8
1 samuel 3:8-9
And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
The story is clear isn’t it. and it's kind of funny. God calls him 3 times here. And each time Samuel thinks it’s Eli calling him. like a prank I would do to at camp with all my high school mates back in the day and I’d be like Ante Ante short for anthony, croatian mate.. as everyones asleep. Call out random and pretend it wasn’t me. Blame the other guy. Kinda funny. But Eli was not playing a prank. He kept saying go back to bed mate. what are you doing? And he’s certainly not moving. He’s old so he can’t see.
But at the third time Eli cottons on. Finally, Eli figures out that its actually the Lord calling Samuel.
He can’t recognise God’s voice because probably because he’s not used to hearing God speak. And certainly Samuel has never directly heard from God. verse 7 it’s a curious verse
Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.
Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the reason is well God has not revealed himself to Samuel. He hasn’t spoken to Samuel. But I was confused by this because I thought, hasn’t Samuel been serving in the temple? Isn’t that what we read in chapter 2:26?
1 Samuel 2:26 (ESV)
Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the Lord and also with man.
Isn’t he growing in stature and favor with the Lord? What do you mean he doesn’t know God? we get that Hophni and Phinehas do not know the Lord but Samuel?The difference is, Hophni and Phinehas out and out reject God. they didn’t know him. but Samuel has shown progress. He serves faithfully as priest. He’s a young boy remember. He knows things of God. He has certainly not rejected God. But he does not know God. because to know in this sense is about a relationship. He knows things of God and is faithful, but he is not in a relationship with God. that’s the sense of knowing here. A relationship. And for him to know God, God has to reveal himself. God has to show himself to Samuel. God grants the gift of knowing him. And that makes sense for us. This is timeless truth. Without God working by his Spirit, none of us can know God. none of us can know Jesus. He needs to reveal himself to us. And that’s what he has done here. This is God’s grace. It’s God’s kindness.
Samuel comes to know God. the famine is over. And he listens as a listening servant. God’s word is trickling in.
1 samuel 3:10
And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.”
But sadly, he has to hear and pass on to Eli the same message of judgment that the prophet told us last week. The word has come. But it has come in judgment. Just to get a picture of how serious this is verse 11 –
1 samuel 3:11
Then the Lord said to Samuel, “Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which the two ears of everyone who hears it will tingle.
ears will Tingle. That sensation you get when you hear horrible news. Do you remember watching the twin towers struck down by terrorists in the America Sep 11 2001 attacks? Trying to hear the news. News made my ears tingle. So terrible.
God’s judgment will come. It’s terrible. News that will make everyones ears tingle. What’s he going to do? heard it last week from the prophet. God confirms it to Samuel verse 12
On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. And I declare to him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them. Therefore I swear to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever.”
It will be complete utter destruction. The end of his line.
i want you to see that Listening servants of God know how seriously God views sin. there is a famine of the Word because of sin. these priests have rejected their loving God. And God always speaks up against sin. I remember a lady at my old church serving in Sunday school. She’d say why does everyone always get up and tell the children about sin? we hear it all the time. why don’t we talk about God’s love more. There’s so much else to talk about. And you know of course the answer is it depends. What’s the passage you are teaching on about? The reason we talk so much about it is the Bible talks so much about sin. God talks a lot about sin. And we sit under his word, not over it. We teach what he says.
And so here as God begins to lift the famine of the word. he says he will burn out the sin that is corrupting his people. He is going to get rid of it.
Friends, the nation starts with a famine of the word. but that’s not the end. the word trickles in. But in the end there the nation is feasting on the word of God.
2. But God brings a feast of His Word
Come to verse 19 it’s a complete turnaround
1 samuel 3:19-21
And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established as a prophet of the Lord. And the Lord appeared again at Shiloh, for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the Lord.
Can you see that the famine is over? God’s word has come like a flood. Hophni and Phinehas could not care less about God’s word, but none of Samuel’s words fell to the ground. Why? well The Lord was with him. He spoke and all of Israel here said yes he’s the prophet. he brings God’s word. And now the word of the lord continued to appear. God has revealed himself to Samuel, and to all Israel. The word has gone from a famine to a feast.
If you think about it, the passage is clear and simple to understand. There was a famine of the Word but now God has graciously brought a feast in his Word.
This passage is not about calling into ministry as I have heard it said before. the idea that God must call you into ministry by a dream or vision. and it’s not about you should expect God to speak to you in dreams and visions. It’s not about listening to the inner voice from God to see what he wants you to do. whether to buy the house or not buy the house. no. These things happen to Samuel, it’s not saying hey this is going to happen to you.
Friends
It’s actually all about God’s Word. We find out about God. his nature. he speaks to his people. All throughout the passage it’s about God speaking. He is very kind. he doesn’t have to. they sinned. but he still speaks. and How does he call Samuel? He speaks to him in verse 7. Samuel does not know God because God has not spoken to him. How does Samuel know God’s judgment on Eli and his household? He speaks to him. And Eli asks in verse 17 what was it that he told you? he grills Samuel on the words God spoke to him. And then says don’t hide from me one word of the entire word he spoke to you. verse 18 so Samuel told him every word hiding no word from him. there’s a real focus on words. and verse 19 None of Samuel’s words fell to the ground, and most clearly in verse 21 – the Lord continued to spear at Shiloh and there he continued to reveal himself to Samuel through his Word.
It's a feast of God’s Words. God is a speaking God. He is a kind God. despite their sin, God still shows his mercy. he still speaks to his people through this prophet Samuel. No longer is there a famine. God brings a feast in his word.
And even greater than that, God has spoken to us all through the Lord Jesus. he is the Word of God.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Jesus is the Word. God has spoken to us through his Son. he sent his Son to earth to speak God’s Words. Jesus the son not just a prophet like Samuel, he is the Son of God. He is fully man, and he is fully god. and where God spoke a word of judgment for sin, against Eli and his household and all who do not know God. God sent Jesus to pay for our sin. our rebellion against God. friends that is the heart of the Bible story. Because Jesus did not just speak, he acted. in fact he act in complete other person love, he loved us. he died on the cross for us to take away our sin. that is the heart of the Bible. And at the cross, God assures us that our sins can be dealt with. And that is just wonderful. The cross shows us how horrible sin really is. And it is. And Jesus the Word of God dealt with our sin. God would send his own son to hang naked, bleeding in agony on a cross, mocked, tortured, take on our sin on himself.
So church, God has spoken to us. he has spoken finally. Completely. we have God’s final word. There’s no where else to look to find god, he has spoken to us all. it’s about his Son, Jesus.
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.
God has spoken. we don’t need a prophet like Samuel. we dont need to understand star signs. we don’t need visions and dreams. we have his Word. Here. We have his Son. everything everyone belongs to the son. The Word of God.
so church, given all this. We have gods word. We have life we are not in sin, by faith, we are to delight in the Word of God. we have god’s word. that’s the implication for today. delight in the word of God.
3. Delight in the Word of God
Because here’s the thing. I asked at the beginning does the thought of being starved of the word of God terrify you? It should, many so called churches meet sunday by sunday but the word of God is not taught. they dont delight in the word of God. they don’t sit under, love it, learn from it, treasure it. see that it’s about Christ and the Gospel. i remember before i came to the light, became presbyterian i did a stint, placement at an ANglican church near st kilda. nice building. nice vibe. friendly people, cool smooth pastor. but he did not preach the word of God. The Bible was used as a springboard to talk about other things. not bad stuff but this was not front and centre. they did not delight in God’s Word, teach it clearly, faithfully, centered on Christ. there was a famine in the word, self imposed. leaders, pastors, we must be in the Word. know it. Work hard to know it. Sit under it see what god says. teach it. spend time investing in it. Delight in it.
And brothers and sisters, See I think God has given us this passage at the right time. Why? we’re thinking about making news disciples of Jesus, talked about the how today. The elders are thinking and praying about a new service God willing in 2025, we’re thinking about change in the life of our church. It’s good change. It’s exciting. i love the thought of more people coming to know Christ, more people we can meet. it excites me. and while practically it looks like more hands on deck, more people serving, more thinking about praying about how it will all work, all very exciting. But what I, Nello, Neil, AListair, Dan and Josh pray for is that we are delighting in the Gospel, cherish, loving God’s Word. that we are before what we do, it’s who we are, listening servants of Jesus. each and everyone of us. wanting to hear from God’s Word. Wanting to sit under God’s Word. knowing God’s Word that is sweeter than honey, a lamp to our feet a light to our path. above all else, we are men and women forgiven by Jesus to be and make disciples. and what undergirds all that is a deep delight in the Word of God, delight in the Gospel.
Let me leave you with something practical to help you delight in the word of God.
I heard about a pastor who talks about how he reads the BIble. it really encouraged me to read the Word of God. coz let’s be honest. it can be hard. we can be busy. we are often distracted. but he said many years ago some godly people set a pattern for me which I found profoundly impacting. they were godly men. They wanted what was best for me. They said ‘Peter, read a chapter or two a day by yourself or with someone else. So I did. At times, it was not easy. There were many times when I was busy. There were times when I was tired. Times I was sick. But those were the times when the rubber hit the road and i kept going. I’m thankful for their advice. When I get to church, these days I have the Bible out first thing, read it and pray. It’s who I am saved by Jesus, I have his very words. you have his very words.
break it down - how do I do this?
Church, I am encouraging you to continually prayerfully carve out the time to listen to the word of God. We don’t live in famine, we have God’s very own Word. So Delight in the Word of God.
Let’s pray.
