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THE MAKING OF A PROPHET
FRIDAY, MARCH 17
1 Samuel 3

Deuteronomy 18:9-22

 

“And the child Samuel

ministered unto the LORD…”

 

THE MAKING OF A PROPHET
 
The call of Samuel is introduced by a dark setting. It is a dark setting not because he was called by the LORD when Eli the high priest “was laid down in his place” or that “his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see” (1 Sam 3:2). It is not because the call took place at night when “the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was,” or that “Samuel was laid down to sleep” (1 Sam 3:3). The setting is a dark one because at that time “the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.”
 
“…the LORD called Samuel…” (1 Sam 3:4). The high priests (who were God’s representatives) and the Levites (who were God’s heritage) had forsaken the LORD and His revealed will. Those who have proven unfaithful in the Word given and have disregarded what God has plainly said will wait in vain for any revelation or communication from the LORD. The LORD will never lack instruments for His use. When those who had custody of the Law of God forsook it in pursuit of their selfish lusts, God chose a young boy who faithfully attended to the high priest: a boy who had not followed the bad example of the priests among whom he lived. Though “Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him” (1 Sam 3:7). Samuel knew Eli to whom he attended, and dutifully time after time went to him when called. And when instructed on how to respond, he faithfully said as he had been taught by Eli when the Lord called again.
 
“And the LORD said to Samuel…” (1 Sam 3:11). The message given to the young Samuel was for Eli his teacher and guardian at the temple. It was not a new message, as it confirmed what the man of God had said to Eli earlier. What a burden on the young shoulders, what a test for the one who would be God’s mouthpiece! And yet, he faithfully attended to God’s Word before Eli. How did he sleep after hearing such a message? How did he relay the message to Eli telling “every whit, and hid nothing from him” (1 Sam 3:18)? God had made a man who would unflinchingly serve Him.
 
THOUGHT: (Read Galatians 1:10.)

PRAYER: Help me, Father, to be fearlessly faithful and obedient to Thee.

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