A Good Story

Almost buried in the Old Testament is the story of the young boy Samuel who hears the voice of God and mistakes it for the voice of his guardian Eli. It’s a story included in children’s Bibles, but seldom mentioned in sermons or in adult lesson books. It’s one of my favorite stories. Three times Samuel hears God’s voice call his name, and thinking that it is the voice of Eli, goes to Eli’s room in answer. “Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy.” (1 Samuel 3:8)

Eli gave Samuel words to say to God in response, and the child obediently replied to the voice of God when He called again. Then the Lord answered and and shared with this young boy His plans for Eli and the near future for Israel.

Throughout this interview God never said to Samuel, “Don’t be afraid”, words that had been said to both Abraham and Joshua, as well as others when first encountering God or one of His messengers. Samuel apparently did not respond to God’s news, but when the Lord left, the boy went back to sleep until morning when he was afraid to tell Eli the message.

The voice of God seemed so familiar to Samuel, who had never heard it before, that he thought it was Eli. God had no need to reassure him; it’s as if two friends are talking. The mind of Samuel does not experience dread or fear from hearing God ‘s voice, even though the news for Eli is not good. Eli himself knows from Israel’s history that God has spoken to individuals, and Eli is able to discern that Samuel is experiencing this, though he himself is not.

Samuel listens as God tells him that Eli’s sin of ignoring his son’s transgressions in ministering to the people will not be forgiven, for Eli has not intervened with his sons to prevent them.

In that one encounter Samuel is transformed into a prophet of God. Like all the other prophets, Samuel centers his life on his unique relationship with the holy God of Israel: “The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and He let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground. And all Israel …recognized that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the Lord. (1 Samuel 3: 19-21).

In this amazing account we see our holy God acquiring a son for Himself and a young boy acquiring a Father for his life. Long before God’s own son appears, God seeks a son in Samuel, and finds one who will love Him as his Father. It’s a good story leading to another that will be even better.

Love in Him,

Prue