Last Sunday was Epiphany 2. The Common Lectionary lesson for the Evening
service was 1 Samuel 3:1-20.
O.T. 1 Samuel 3:1-20
THE CALL OF SAMUEL
1. THERE WAS SPIRITUAL DARKNESS IN ISRAEL
a. This was evident in Impiety in the Church. (no piety)
Hophni and Phineas did not respect the Offerings of the LORD (2:17). Do we eat
the bread, and drink the cup of the Lord, worthily (1 Corinthians 11:27)? Do
we discern the Lord's Body (1 Corinthians 11:29)?
b. This was evident in Impurity in the Church. (no purity)
Hophni and Phineas committed gross sins on the premises (1 Samuel 2:22). They
flouted their heavenly Father's Commandments, and they ignored their earthly
father's rebukes (1 Samuel 2:23-24). Do we realise that our bodies are Temples
of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19)? "If any man defile the Temple
of God, him shall God destroy" (1 Corinthians 3:17). There are church
ministers today who are open homosexual offenders. Bishops and Archbishops
will not discipline them; some even ordain known homosexual practitioners into
the ministry. Eli's fate will be their fate (1 Samuel 3:12-14).
c. This was evident in Impotence in the Church. (no power)
A Word of Prophecy was rare; a Vision even rarer. Eli was nearly blind; the
Lamp of God was nearly out. Only the entrance of God's Word could bring light
(Psalm 119:130). Nowadays printed Bibles are universally available.
Charismatic gifts are increasingly common. "He that has an ear, let him hear
what the Spirit says to the churches" (Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13,
22).
2. THERE WAS SPIRITUAL AWARENESS IN SAMUEL
a. This was evident in Samuel's Industry.
He was eager to please. He was like the Boy Jesus (compare 1 Samuel 2:26 with
Luke 2:52), growing in favour with God and man. Samuel waited on Eli; ran at
his every call : "Here I am". How do we respond when volunteers are called for
from the congregation? Too young? how old were Samuel, or Jeremiah (Jeremiah
1:6), or Timothy (1 Timothy 4:12)? Too old or too handicapped? How old was
Eli? -- not too old or too blind to be judged for not controlling his sons
Hophni and Phineas (1 Timothy 3:4-5).
b. This was evident in Samuel's Innocence.
He did not yet "know the LORD" (1 Samuel 3:7). He thought it was Eli calling
again. Words from God were rare and visions infrequent; he had excuse for not
knowing. Do you know the LORD? Do you have a word or a vision from Him?
Would you tell your Vicar if you did? Samuel was a real innocent, like
Nathanael, "an Israelite worthy of the name; there is nothing false in him"
(John 1:47).
c. This was evident in Samuel's Obedience.
He sought the priest's help, and was advised to say if it happened again:
"Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening". Do we wait in prayer for the
Lord to speak? Too often with us it's "Listen, LORD, your servant is
talking...". And when the Lord does give us a vocation, follow it. "Has the
LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the
voice of the LORD?" (1 Samuel 15:22).
There is a spiritual darkness in our land; so may there be a spiritual
awareness in our lives.
1 Hushed was the evening hymn 3 O give me Samuel's ear
The Temple courts were dark, The open ear, O Lord,
The lamp was burning dim Alive and quick to hear
Before the sacred Ark, Each whisper of thy Word:
When suddenly a Voice divine Like him to answer at thy call,
Rang through the silence of the shrine. And to obey thee first of all.
2 The old man, meek and mild, 4 O give me Samuel's heart,
The Priest of Israel, slept; A lowly heart, that waits
His watch the Temple-child, Where in thy house thou art,
The little Levite, kept; Or watches at thy gates
And what from Eli's sense was sealed By day and night, a heart that still
The LORD to Hannah's son revealed. Moves at the breathing of thy will.
5 O give me Samuel's mind,
A sweet unmurmuring faith,
Obedient and resigned
To thee in life and death;
That I may read with childlike eyes
Truths that are hidden from the wise. AMEN!
In Christ,
Ben
--
Revd Ben Crick, BA CF
232 Canterbury Road, Birchington, Kent, CT7 9TD (UK)
