Articles
The Call of Samuel
In the book of 1 Samuel, we have the rare opportunity to see the life of Samuel from conception all the way until his death (cp. 1 Samuel 1:20; 25:1). Many Bible characters are only revealed with a snapshot from one moment of their life. Yet, we see several snapshots of Samuel throughout his lifespan. One such snapshot of Samuel’s courage comes from his younger days when “the Lord had called the boy” (1 Samuel 3:8). Notice several key character lessons from this young boy….
Samuel listened to God. When the Lord spoke to Samuel he was taught to say, “Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears” (3:9). So, as the Lord calls Samuel his reply is: “Speak, for Your servant hears.” We cannot be servants of God if we will not first listen to His voice. Today, He speaks to us through the word of God. “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17, NKJV). What is your attitude toward the God-breathed instructions of Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17). May we develop the heart of a servant.
Samuel obeyed God. The information Samuel received was disturbing. Eli, Samuel’s mentor, had sons who had “made themselves vile” and Eli was going to be held accountable because “he did not restrain them” (3:11-13). This information was such that “Samuel was afraid to tell Eli the vision” (3:15, NKJV). Sometimes God’s Word pronounces warnings, demands change, and brings affliction before it can purify and bring peace. In these moments, it can be intimidating to share the message. Yet, Eli has the right attitude to Samuel asking, “What is the word that the Lord spoke to you? Please do not hide it from me. God do so to you, and more also, if you hide anything from me of all the things that He said to you” (3:17). This attitude made it easier for Samuel to share and “Samuel told him everything, and hid nothing from him” (3:18). We are mere messengers of God’s Word to others. Like Samuel, we must “declare the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27). To fail to issue a warning God has issued is to fail to obey God in our divine duty to bring man into a right relationship with Him.
Samuel was protected by God. 1 Samuel 3:19 says, “So Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground” (NKJV). Consider the phrase “the Lord was with him.” Samuel may have worried that some of the grown men, leaders in Israel, would turn on him due to his pronouncements. Yet, Samuel had someone greater than “grown men” on his side—God Almighty. As Paul once wrote concerning his afflictions, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). As the disciples of Jesus were set to take a new message to the lost world, Jesus promised, “...lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). Speak up for Him and He will be with you.
