As we begin this story in I Samuel 3 we find Samuel ministering under Eli. He was given to the Lord by his mother Hannah and has been living with Eli learning to be a priest. However, it did not teach one to hear the voice of the Lord and recognize it, Instead, they were sleeping allowing the word of the Lord to become rare along with visions from God. It also led to the condolence of sin. There is a mild rebuke from Eli concerning his son’s behavior. When Eli’s sons don’t change Eli ignores it and allows his sons to go on in sin. Thus he abdicates his role as priest and leader. Instead, Eli’s eyes grow dim. his discernment not as sharp as it perhaps once was and he places his love for his sons before his love for God. The lamp of God was barely burning about to go out. That was the state of things in the temple while the priests were sleeping in God’s house. However, God was about to shake things up changing everything from what was going on before to something new.
As Samuel lies sleeping in his bed the Lord calls him three times. Samuel thinks it’s Eli and goes to him three times to see what he wants. Twice Eli denies calling Samuel and sends him back to bed. On the third time, Eli realizes it is the voice of the Lord calling Samuel. He tells Samuel to go back to bed and when the Lord calls again to say speak for your servant is listening. This is the initial calling of Samuel to the office of prophet. He is given a warning for the family of Eli which predicts judgment upon the house of Eli for all he allowed to happen and did nothing about. Instead of repenting, seeking forgiveness, and doing something about his sons Eli simply concludes that it’s the Lord’s will so so be it. The result is both of Eli’s sons are killed in battle. The ark of the Lord falls into enemy hands and when Eli gets the news he dies.
Samuel moves out of the temple and goes to Shiloh where the Lord appears to him. Shiloh means tranquil and is the title of the coming Messiah. Thus in a place of tranquility and peacefulness, God continues to appear to Samuel and confirm him as a prophet to all the people so there could be no doubt as to what Samuel was. A second place in which Samuel made his home was Ramah meaning height. Here he could observe all that was going on in Israel. Then when he went to Shiloh he was ready for God to use him.
Could a robot run your church and everything go on as it always has? Is our attitude one of us four and no more? Are we out-present in the neighborhood trying to change things or are we or are we content to sit in our church, sing a few hymns, say a few prayers, give a small offering, listen to a sermon, and then go home for another week? If the latter is the case we may well be asleep in the house of the Lord. We are all called to be “priests/witnesses of God. However, we may need to do as Samuel did. We may need to take time to observe things, get the mind of God, and then go to a place of tranquility and peace where we can serve the Lord as he leads us. Does that mean we will never have another trial or temptation or be persecuted again? No, but it does mean we will have peace knowing we are where wants us alert and ready to do his will. We are the church alive that will take Jesus to everybody worldwide. May that always be our ambition. Not to be a church asleep but one that is, awake and doing God’s will and work today. Are you with me?
God Bless You
Brother Lawrence Damien