Sermon Tone Analysis

Context

A little context for todays message.

Do you ever read your bible and something jumps out at you?

Do you ever find that you keep arriving back at the same passage, phrase or vers?

Do you ever find that things totally unconnected with the bible keep pointing you back to something you have read?

Today’s meesage is one of those.

Where I want to speak from today is in the book of

The passage that I want to focus on starts “After the Philistines had captured the ark of God, they took it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. 2 Then they carried the ark into Dagon’s temple and set it beside Dagon.”

After the Philistines had captured the ark of God, they took it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. 2 Then they carried the ark into Dagon’s temple and set it beside Dagon.”

The New International Version.

(2011).

().

Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

I think it is safe to assume that even with the basic understanding of the Old Testement and no more information we can all recognise; That if the Ark of the covenant, is in the hands of Israels enamies (the philistines), If the Ark of God was being taken to the temple of another god - this was not a great time for the Jewish nation.

need to give some context to where in narrative of the biible this all takes place.

Lets look where in narrative of the bible this all takes place.

The book of Samuel is set at the point of history where the Jewish nation were overseen by judges and priests, it is the t turning point between the rule of the Judges and the introduction of Kings.

The 300 or so years of the history of Israel under the Judges were marked by political, moral, and spiritual anarchy and deterioration.

The situation was so pervasive that even the sons of Eli, the high priest at the end of the 12th century, had completely gone off the rails and had used their priestly office for their own gain and licentious pursuits.

Just when it seemed that the nation would cave in on its own rottenness, God steps in.

The book of Sameul is about three main charecters Samuel, Saul and David.

The part of the story I want fo focus on though involves Samuel and a very young Samuel at that.

The

Samuel - born of promise

Samuel - was born out of a promise.

His mother Hannah could not have children, infact her husband had taken a second wife in order to bear him a son.

There is a a whole intesting soap opera just in that - the bible makes it clear though, her husband Elkanah loved Hannah deeply.

The second wife loved Hannah less so…

But her rival wife taunted her cruelly, rubbing it in and never letting her forget that GOD had not given her children.

This went on year after year.

Every time she went to the sanctuary of GOD she could expect to be taunted.

Hannah was reduced to tears and had no appetite.

8  Her husband Elkanah said, “Oh, Hannah, why are you crying?

Why aren’t you eating?

And why are you so upset?

Am I not of more worth to you than ten sons?”

This went on for years -

Hannah would go to the temple, be taunted, get upset - a year would pass

Hannah would go to the temple, be taunted, get upset - a year would pass

Hannah would go to the temple, be taunted, get upset - a year would pass

You get the picture.

Hannah took action

This continued until Hannah took action.

The Jeremy Kyle show had not started at this point in history - so Hannah took this to God.

Sometimes we find ourselves in a repeated pattern - we are given the ability to take action.

We may not be able to alter the situation but we can take it to God.

The priest Eli was on duty at the entrance to GOD’s Temple in the customary seat.

Crushed in soul, Hannah prayed to GOD and cried and cried—inconsolably.

Then she made a vow:

Oh, GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies,

If you’ll take a good, hard look at my pain,

If you’ll quit neglecting me and go into action for me

By giving me a son,

I’ll give him completely, unreservedly to you.

I’ll set him apart for a life of holy discipline.

When we do things differently don’t expect those around us to understand.

It so happened that as she continued in prayer before GOD, Eli was watching her closely.

Hannah was praying in her heart, silently.

Her lips moved, but no sound was heard.

Eli jumped to the conclusion that she was drunk.

He approached her and said, “You’re drunk!

How long do you plan to keep this up?

Sober up, woman!”

The world will not always recognise what we are doing when we place things in Gods hands.

the concept of faith is alien to some.

many people are fearful of change (evenn when it is not their change) - the better the devil you know attitude.

Hannah said, “Oh no, sir—please!

I’m a woman hard used.

I haven’t been drinking.

Not a drop of wine or beer.

The only thing I’ve been pouring out is my heart, pouring it out to GOD.

Don’t for a minute think I’m a bad woman.

It’s because I’m so desperately unhappy and in such pain that I’ve stayed here so long.”

17  Eli answered her, “Go in peace.

And may the God of Israel give you what you have asked of him.”

18  “Think well of me—and pray for me!” she said, and went her way.

Then she ate heartily, her face radiant.

It so happened that as she continued in prayer before GOD, Eli was watching her closely.

Hannah was praying in her heart, silently.

Her lips moved, but no sound was heard.

Eli jumped to the conclusion that she was drunk.

He approached her and said, “You’re drunk!

How long do you plan to keep this up?

Sober up, woman!”

15–16  Hannah said, “Oh no, sir—please!

I’m a woman hard used.

I haven’t been drinking.

Not a drop of wine or beer.

The only thing I’ve been pouring out is my heart, pouring it out to GOD.

Don’t for a minute think I’m a bad woman.

It’s because I’m so desperately unhappy and in such pain that I’ve stayed here so long.”

17  Eli answered her, “Go in peace.

And may the God of Israel give you what you have asked of him.”

18  “Think well of me—and pray for me!” she said, and went her way.

Then she ate heartily, her face radiant.

Have you noticed the change in Hannah- she was radient, she was eating healthely - but nothing had changed - she still had no Son.

Something had changed though, something had changed in Hannahs heart and something had changed in the heavenlies - God had started to control the situation.

Something had changed in Hannahs heart and something had changed in the heavenlies - God had started to control the situation.

Samuel - commited to the Lord

When Samuell was three he was commited to the Lord

He lived at the temple - serving the temple court and serving Eli the Chief priest.

26 And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the LORD and with people.