09/15/2008
1 Samuel 3:1 - 10 (HCSB) 1The boy Samuel served the LORD in Eli’s presence.£ In those days the word of the LORD was rare and prophetic visions were not widespread.£ 2One day Eli, whose eyesight was failing,£ was lying in his room. 3Before the lamp of God had gone out,£ Samuel was lying down in the tabernacle of the LORD where the ark of God was located.
4Then the LORD called Samuel,£ and he answered, “Here I am.”
5He ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”
“I didn’t call,” Eli replied. “Go and lie down.” So he went and lay down.
6Once again the LORD called, “Samuel!”
Samuel got up, went to Eli, and said, “Here I am; you called me.”
“I didn’t call, my son,” he replied. “Go and lie down.” 7Now Samuel had not yet experienced the LORD, because the word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him.
8Once again, for the third time, the LORD called Samuel. He got up, went to Eli, and said, “Here I am; you called me.”
Then Eli understood that the LORD was calling the boy. 9He told Samuel, “Go and lie down. If He calls you, say, ‘Speak, LORD, for Your servant is listening.’”
So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10The LORD came, stood there, and called as before, “Samuel, Samuel!”
Samuel responded, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.”
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Eli’s sons were acting as priests but were wicked. They cheated people in their offerings, they were sleeping with the women that assisted in the temple, and no doubt were corrupt in many other ways that are not stated. Eli was responsible because he had not removed his sons from these positions or managed to correct their ways. So, prophecies and visions had become rare. As priests, they were merely going through the motions.
One night, Samuel heard his name called; echoing in the tabernacle. He naturally thought that Eli had called him. This happened 3 times. Eli finally realized that it was God calling the boy, so he instructed the boy how to respond.
On the fourth time, Samuel responded, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.” A prophecy was given to Samuel that Eli’s sons would both die on the same day. This happened just as told to Samuel.
These days, we do not have prophets as in those days, because the Word of God, Jesus, has already come to us. Yet God does still call us. Perhaps not in an audible voice, but He does call us to service of one kind or another. It is my strong believe that none of us are simply to be spectators in the Christian experience. God has a purpose for all of us. We will not all be preachers, or teachers, but God has some purpose for us beyond sitting in the pew on Sunday mornings.
When God calls you, will you recognize His voice? Are you listening for His call? Are you ready and willing to answer His call?
Jeff Justus
Cleff Publishing
www.cleffpublishing.com
©2008 Cleff Publishing, all rights reserved.
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