Hearing from God

The Rarity of Revelation (1 Sam 3:1)

Explanation: This account takes place during the transition period between the Judges and the Kings. As a nation, the Israelites were operating loosely under the direct rule of God. Loosely, because in this time period everyone “did what was right in his own eyes” () and we see that “the word of the Lord was rare in those days” (). As one commentator states, This introductory verse informs us of the rarity of special revelation in the days of the judges. There were not “many” visions in the sense that the few visions that did exist were not widely known. (Youngblood, R. F. (2009). 1, 2 Samuel. In T. Longman III & D. E. Garland (Eds.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary)

Prayer Point: We can and should be thankful for the availability of God’s Word in our current era. We have constant access (if we so choose) to the Word in print and in electronic format. We do not know what it is like to be unable to hear from God through His Word

Standing firm against the Oppression of Wickedness from within (1 Sam 3:2)

Explanation: Samuel was an apprentice priest who was learning the trade by serving close to Eli. Most of us are familiar with Samuel’s story about how his mother Hannah had prayed for his birth, and how God had answered her prayer. We know that Hannah brought Samuel to the Tabernacle at an early age and left him in the care of Eli so that Samuel would learn to serve God. One would think that growing up in God’s House would be a great influence, with everyone doing what was right. That was not the case for Eli’s own adult sons. These boys were not following God, and in fact, were doing very wickedly ()

Samuel was around these young adult men, but he was not caught up or influenced by them. While they were outside carousing and committing wickedness (), Samuel “continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the LORD and also with man.” (). Samuel was growing in his walk with the LORD in spite of bad influences. Note where Samuel was spending his time - in the LORD’s house (). Samuel chose to remain near the presence of God and it made a huge difference.

The Ark symbolized the Lord’s presence and had enormous importance in the life of the nation as the throne seat of Israel’s divine King. However, in spite of the presence of this symbol, the word of the Lord had been absent in Shiloh. (Vannoy, J. R. (2009). Cornerstone Biblical Commentarya: 1-2 Samuel (Vol. 4, p. 63). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.)

Prayer Point: Not everyone is going to do the right thing. Sometimes people who profess to be God’s people, will in fact be very wicked and hard-hearted people. While it is easy for the world to judge all of us by such people, and call all of us hypocrites, we can and must stand firm in the faith. Even if others are doing wrong we can choose to honor the LORD ()

Remaining open and Expecting to hearing from God ()

Explanation: In these verses we are shown God’s call to Samuel. One night when Samuel was lying down in his room the LORD audibly spoke to him (v. 4). Samuel thought it was the voice of Eli calling out, so Samuel went to Eli’s room to see what Eli needed (v. 5). Note that Samuel was ready to serve Eli, even after going to bed. Eli, knowing he had not called Samuel, told him to go back to bed. These events are repeated when the LORD calls Samuel a 2nd time (v. 6)

At this point the narrator declares that “Samuel did not yet know the LORD and the Word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him.” (v. 7). “This is not to say that Samuel had no knowledge of who the Lord was or of what he desired from his people, but rather that he had not yet experienced God speaking to him in such a direct manner.” (Cornerstone Biblical Commentary)

The LORD calls to Samuel the 3rd time, and when Samuel goes back to Eli for instruction, Eli finally understands that the LORD is the One who has been calling. Eli gives Samuel instructions and sends him back to his room (vv. 8-9)

Samuel returns to his room, the LORD calls again, and this time Samuel responds with a willingness to serve. (cf )

Prayer Point: Samuel was open to hearing and responding to the Voice of God. Eli was not quite so open. It took 3 times for Eli to realize that God was calling his young apprentice. Samuel had a fresh outlook on his faith and was excited to be around the things of God.

Samuel’s openness to serving God would soon enable him to know the Lord (v. 7) in a way that Eli’s sons never did (2:12). Although the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to Samuel, that would take place very soon (v. 11); and as God continued to speak to Samuel through the years (v. 21), the Lord’s word would so captivate him that it would be virtually indistinguishable from “Samuel’s word” (4:1). Samuel the priest, God’s minister, would become Samuel the prophet (v. 20), God’s spokesman. (Expositors Biblical Commentary)

How open are we to the call of God? Do we simply “roll over” and go back to sleep, or do we have a hunger to hear from the LORD, and a willingness to obey His revelation?