When Samuel Speaks…People Listen

Not too much excitement in my day. We did have enough snow to require me to get out and shovel the driveway and sidewalk. After some office work and listening to a webinar, I headed to the fitness center and had a good workout.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… As Samuel grew up, the Lord was with him and made come true everything that Samuel said. So all the people of Israel, from one end of the country to the other, knew that Samuel was indeed a prophet of the Lord….when Samuel spoke, all Israel listened.” 1 Samuel 3:19-21

The account of Samuel as a prophet and a judge in Israel is a unique one. Samuel’s birth, like Samson, was a result of God promise. Samuel also was dedicated to the Lord from birth. Here is Hannah’s prayer to the Lord…  “If you give me a son, I promise that I will dedicate him to you for his whole life and that he will never have his hair cut.”              (1 Samuel 1:11)

Samuel’s uncut hair was the only thing that he had in common with Samson. Because the character of his life stands in contrast to that of Samson and Eli’s sons. Actually Mary’s song after the angel announced she would have a son, is similar to Hannah’s prayer when Samuel was born. Also the development of Jesus is described in the same way of that of Samuel.

Eli was the Priest with rebellious and wicked sons. This only added to the corruption and spiritual confusion of the day. As Samuel grew up in the Temple as his mother’s gift to the Lord we see his life and development in sharp contrast to Eli’s sons.

“This sin of the sons of Eli was extremely serious in the Lord‘s sight, because they treated the offerings to the Lord with such disrespect….In the meantime the boy Samuel continued to serve the Lord, wearing a sacred linen apron.” (1 Samuel 2:17,18)

“But they [Eli’s sons] would not listen to their father, for the Lord had decided to kill them. The boy Samuel continued to grow and to gain favor both with the Lord and with people.” (1 Samuel 2:25,26)

These verses that draw a contrast between the sons of Eli and Samuel are not be accident. A prophet of the Lord came to Eli and pronounced judgment on his house and it included this word from the Lord, “I will choose a priest who will be faithful to me and do everything I want him to.” (1 Samuel 2:35)

What we observe in these verses is how Samuel was faithful to the Lord in the midst of the rebellion of Eli’s sons. At times we just need to put “blinders on” and not allow our life to be influenced by the culture around us. God was bringing judgment on Eli’s house in His time and in His way. Samuel’s responsibility was to remain focused on the Lord and learning how to be a faithful prophet and priest.

In the next verses of contrast we see that while the clock was ticking on the rebellion of Eli’s sons, Samuel was growing physically and spiritually and gaining favor with the Lord and the people. It appears that even in his youth the life and character of Samuel set him apart. The calling of God on his life was evident and that gained him the respect of God’s people. I believe it is important for us to remember that true respect comes from not just what we do, our position or success, but who we are…our character.

From the scriptures it is apparent that the Lord began to speak through Samuel at several times. For it was more than his words confirming the prophecy against the house of Eli, that gain him the position of spiritual leadership so “when he spoke the people listened.”

I believe the life of Samuel can encourage and challenge us today. When we commit our lives to the Lord and grow in the Lord and cultivate a heart for the Lord and an ear that hears from him, God will give us favor with others. Where ever our circle of influence is, whether in the market place, the home, the neighborhood, the church or government; when the life we live and the words we speak carry the authority of the Lord’s wisdom, people will listen. That will enable God’s people to be an influence and blessing where ever they go.