1 Samuel 3:1-14
Verse 10 The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
We are taking another time jump. During the rest of Joshua’s leadership, the Israelites were busy moving into the Promised Land. During the times of the Judges, the people ignored God more than they listened and therefore though God hadn’t deserted them, He didn’t make Himself known in such large ways either. As we read in our story today, even the high priest, Eli didn’t anticipate God communicating with His people.
Though we don’t know young Samuel’s exact age, it is believed he was preteen to early teens by this time. Since he was a young child he had lived with Eli, assisting in the duties of the tabernacle. That means he had been helping Eli for about 10 years. Samuel had also been in a position where he was learning what not to do since he would have had at least a glimpse of the bad behavior of Eli’s sons. He would have seen some of the weaknesses of Eli, though he may not have known it at the time.
Samuel and Eli likely had a routine. With Eli’s eyes growing dim, young Samuel may have taken some of the tasks that Eli would do and was doing them himself or at least was aiding the priest in the daily duties. Through all that Samuel was learning about God, he wasn’t being taught to know God. Eli was personally so far from God that he couldn’t really help the young man learn who God is.
This particular night Eli and Samuel were sleeping in the tabernacle. It was the middle of the night or nearing morning when Samuel is awakened by his name being called. The young man gets up and goes over to Eli to see what he needs. Of course it wasn’t Eli but it took the priest three times of Samuel being called before he realized it was the Lord speaking to the boy. Once Samuel knew who to listen to, he was ready.
We can find ourselves in the same spiritual drought. Times when we have become so comfortable in our position as a Christian or distracted by the world around us, that we seem deaf to the voice of God. We get busy and stop spending regular time in the Word and in prayer. We allow the voices of this world to drown out the voice we should adore. And when we aren’t giving Him our ear, how are our children going to listen for His nudge in their lives? How will they know to read the Bible and pray?
Making It Personal
How ready are you to hear what the Lord is wanting to say to you in His Word? Do your Bible reading and prayer lives reflect that desire? Do you need to step it up?
Making It Personal Kids
What are some ways that God uses to speak to you? Do you listen? Is listening the only thing you need to do when you find that God wants you to do something?
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for speaking to us. Give us hearts which listen and obey all You teach us in Your Word. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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