1 Samuel 3:1-10 | Part 7
1st Samuel 3:1-10
The 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.
Dark times. No prophetic word from God. Evil all around. Danger. Fears. Pain.
Samuel is more than likely a teenager
Separated from his family, living with Eli, and watching Eli’s sons living in contempt of God. Confusing to say the least
2 One day Eli, whose eyesight was failing, was lying in his usual place. 3 Before the lamp of God had gone out, Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was located.
The lamp of God was lit at twilight and kept burning until morning
This call of God happened right before dawn
4 Then the Lord called Samuel, and he answered, “Here I am.” 5 He ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”
“I didn’t call,” Eli replied. “Go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down.
6 Once 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 back and lie down.”
Samuel, though surrounded by disobedient people (Eli, Hophne, and Phineas), was obedient and loyal
He thought Eli had called him, and he was quick to respond, not once, but twice
7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, because the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.
Know. Yada. Means to ascertain know by SEEING. Experiencing.
Samuel did not yet know first hand, the Lord
He know OF him, he probably believed in him, but he not yet YADA. He was about to experience for himself the presence of the living God
Christian, when was the moment for you?
You see, no one can CHOOSE to know the Lord on their own. If anyone would want to do that, it would have been Samuel
John 15:16
You did not choose me, but I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit and that your fruit should remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you.
Jesus chooses you
Jesus appoints you to go
We bear fruit in our lives for the glory of almighty God alone, AND the benefit of those He has called us to
God does not need your little moral tap dance. He is calling you to obey and bear fruit from the HEART level!!
God had not directly called him yet
God had indirectly called him through Eli
This is your calling as parents. More about that in a minute
Ephesians 6:4
Fathers, don’t stir up anger in your children, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
Proverbs 22:6
Start a youth out on his way; even when he grows old he will not depart from it.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7
These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.
7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
Bring kids up in training and instruction
Start a kid on the right way
Impress truth upon your kids
TALK to them about the truth at HOME, on trips, when you go to sleep…
And then what? You don’t do the saving. Jesus does.
8 Once again, for the third time, the Lord called Samuel. He got up, went to Eli, and said, “Here I am; you called me.”
The third time, Samuel continues to be obedient
1st John 5:3
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.
Then Eli understood that the Lord was calling the boy. 9 He 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.
Eli was slow to recognize what was happening because of his own lack of obedience
He was struggling with loving God through obedience, therefore he was out of touch with His creator!
10 The Lord came, stood there, and called as before, “Samuel, Samuel!”
Samuel responded, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
The fourth time, Samuel continues to be obedient
God calls Eli
God calls Eli to call Samuel
God calls Samuel
God has called you. Do you remember when?
God has called you to call your kids to the things of God
Through Grace alone, God will call your kids
Ephesians 4:1-3
Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Under Christ | Under Religion |
Servant of Jesus | Admirer of Jesus |
Lifestyle reflects Christ's calling | Outwardly good lifestyle |
Humble | Controlled philanthropy |
Gentle | Politically Correct |
Patient | Moral judge |
Loving | Liking |
Unified | Situational ethics |
Peaceful | Restless |