The little boy Samuel in The house of the LORD

This was just after the period of the judges.

Judges ends with the sad indictment-"In those days, Israel has no king; everyone did as they saw fit."

1 Samuel 3:1

"In those days, the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions"

In these days of COVID 19, some may say that the word of the LORD is rare! Or not clear. Or may not be relevant!!!

"Where is GOD in the midst of the suffering?"

And then the divine breaks into the apparent silence in the house of the LORD!

The priest Eli was said to have very weak eyes. He could barely see. Physically, he was losing his vision.

But more importantly, spiritually too, he had lost his vision or was losing his vision of the priesthood in the life of the Hebrew people!!!

He unable to control his wayward sons!

The lineage of Eli and the priesthood was regressing

Verse 3 “The lamp of GOD had not yet gone out!”

”There was still light of the divine in the house of GOD. And Samuel was lying down, still awake! Imagine the young Samuel in the temple!

Stillness! Dark night! A gleam of light!

A young boy, with a whole future ahead of him!!

An old man who was losing his vision and his spiritual sensitivity and discernment (see his diagnosis of the anguished and prayerful Hannah!!)

Perhaps the scenario of many young, promising, talented university students, graduates, and postgraduates!

And many of you wondering if the word of GOD is rare with not many visions.

Still, dark nights for many of us. Sleep does not come easily!

The outside world is tumultuous! Pandemic, rival kingdoms vying for dominance, scheming and machinations, disregard for the natural environment, loss of the sacredness of life.....

And religion itself that has lost its roots, its purpose and vision and is in need of redemption and reformation.

Verse 4

The divine in breaking. The LORD calls out to Samuel.

And as it is traditional, the young, dynamic Samuel runs to the old, traditional, didactic priesthood

Samuel was awake.

Samuel was receptive but perhaps his ears not adequately tuned to the voice/word of GOD .

Samuel was enthusiastic .

Samuel ran with excitement .

Samuel had an open mind and a sensitive heart.

BUT Eli said, "I did not call you"

Samuel departed, disappointed and somewhat perplexed.

Verse 6

The second time the LORD called,

And AS USUAL Samuel went to the traditional.

His enthusiasm and excitement was unabated, however.

The priest had lost his sensitivity to the voice of GOD!

Eli did not pick up the divine prompting!

Eli failed to detect the still, small voice of GOD!

A GOD who speaks into the apparent void!!

A GOD who communicates!

A GOD who does not give up!

A GOD who does not abandon his people even though we backslide!!

A GOD who wants to cultivate a relationship.

The GOD of the bible is a personal GOD. He will touch a nation through an intimate relationship with one!

A GOD who wants a friend, even though Samuel is young and did not know much about the LORD.

The LORD takes the initial step.

Though the house had a corrupt family, the meeting place was not deemed unworthy.

Even though sin was endemic, GOD did not abandon the setting.

There are no places that can be labelled GOD forsaken!

Not even a COVID 19 world!!

I will like to say, that it is such places, with such disease, depression, disappointment, despair that

GOD wants to come in and speak softly and gently!

GOD calls a third time, in verse 8

And the immature boy went back to Eli.

Ultimately, Eli realized that the LORD GOD is speaking

Eli was able to advise the young Samuel to respond to GOD with a receptive ear!!

I think credit should go to Eli in this instance.

He was an old priest.

Here was a man with fading vision.

Here was a man who failed to control and discipline his sons.

BUT Eli was able to direct Samuel to open his ears and be receptive to GOD!!!

I think this has lessons for many of us mentors, teachers, pastors, leaders, priests, ......

GOD wants to speak with his young disciples!

GOD wants to open his word of truth to them.

HE ALONE is able to teach, especially where we have had our day and time.

There is no place for me to hold on and maybe prevent GOD'S direct pedagogy/GOD'S method of

teaching directly from his word rather than an unhealthy dependence on an elder!

I need to let go. I need to open up the channel for the young undergraduates/postgraduates to hear

from the word of GOD

Allow the HOLY SPIRIT to lead the disciples into the truth!

Are we, the older folk galvanizing you, the younger generation to hear the word of GOD in new and creative ways?

Same word but innovative interpretation and application to this culture and situation in 2021

The fourth time, was a special encounter with GOD!

It was also an encounter that made his ears tingle!!

And the message was going to be subversive.

It was a stunning word from GOD!

It was a stern word from GOD.

It was a sanctifying word.

There will be judgment upon Eli and his family.

Samuel would have been shocked and disturbed.

His own mentor is going to be judged!.

Samuel lay down but could not sleep!!

He was afraid.

Think about this!!

But to Eli's credit again, he wanted to hear from the prodigy what the LORD had said.

How countercultural!

The teacher is now listening to the student!!

The word of GOD is coming from the smallest and youngest!!

This must be unique to the Hebrew faith!

This is unique and not found in any other religion or philosophy or political paradigm!!!

Eli accepted the verdict.

And here began the making of a prophet and the re-making of the Hebrew people!!

What are the applications and implications for the young, enthusiastic disciples on campus or the youth in our church or the young professionals/graduates/postgraduates in our church?

by : Dr Adrian Morel