DEVOTIONAL
 

I read the Gospel of Matthew beginning of the year and Matthew frequently uses “behold” or the Greek word “idou” to emphasize or make a point. In the passage today, I see a lot of places where “behold” fits, besides verse 11, to draw attention to what is going on here in Shiloh at the temple with Samuel, Eli, and the Lord. Things are about to spice up to forever change Samuel and Eli. This is what church leadership or therapists call a milestone marker. Samuel experiences an “ebenezer” moment to remind him forever his life prior to hearing from the Lord, to after Samuel heard from the Lord for the first time. Samuel does not recognize the voice of the Lord (3:7). He is confused and keeps running to Eli. Then, the chapter ends with the picture of Samuel the prophet not letting any of the words of the Lord fall to the ground (3:19). Samuel soaks up everything from the Lord and shares with the people as a faithful priest.

Q: What is a pivotal moment in your life where God changed the direction of your path? Were you surprised? What did you do?

The big moments for me as I step into this holy moment with Samuel, just a young boy maybe on the cusp of teenage years, are:

  • (3:1) “The word of the Lord was rare.”
  • (3:10) “Speak, for your servant hears.”
  • (3:18) “It is the Lord. Let Him do what seems good to Him.”

At the temple in Shiloh hearing from the Lord did not happen often (3:1). We know Samuel grows up in the temple but has yet to hear the Lord speak. Samuel is probably not quite a teenager because he is a “boy” in society. Up to this point, Samuel has learned who the Lord is, His covenant promise to Abraham, and Israel’s history with the Lord. I can see Samuel bright-eyed, eager to know more about the Lord. He shows a reverent awe of the Lord without experiencing the sound of His voice. That is about to change.

The detail of the lamp of God burning helps orient our minds in the scene that Samuel and Eli are lying down because it is very late into the night just before dawn (3:3). They were probably praying all through the night, a practice second nature for Eli as priest. What made this night different? The Lord saw something in Samuel. He knew it was time. I remember Jesus calling me. My heart about burst out of my chest. I was nine years old and spent my life in church. The Holy Spirit told me that night it was time too. The Lord came and stood by Samuel. Right there, I would be done for and possibly dismiss this holy moment as a dream because I am delirious from praying all night. Praise the Lord, He knows when we are ready.

In verse 10 when Samuel finally knows it is the Lord calling, he replies “Speak, for your servant hears.” And then the Lord anoints Samuel as a priest and tells Samuel the thing the Lord is about to do in Israel will make everyone’s ears tingle. Now, when I think “tingle” my first thought is when your foot falls asleep and tingles as you shake it awake. In this moment I feel that is accurate for the scene because Eli fell asleep on his house blaspheming the Lord. Now, the Lord is about to shake it awake and they will feel more than a “tingle” if you get my drift.

I see a couple paths I could go down here: Samuel’s bold obedience to the Lord even though it goes against his closest mentor; why would Israel believe young Samuel; or what made Eli respond in surrender? Let’s go with Eli’s response of surrender. Eli responds in verse 18, “It is the Lord. Let Him do what seems good to Him.”

Eli accepted what the Lord told Samuel. No anger or rebuke or excuses. Eli accepted what was coming on his house. Why? As priest, Eli dedicated his life to the Lord and yet his family acted out in disobedience. He does not run to the Lord to plea for a way to keep his family, his life, or his reputation. Had Eli experienced enough times to trust what the Lord says, He will do? Who are we to change the Lord’s mind? I see Eli in a place of surrender with the Lord. Whereas, in my relationship with the Lord, I would have run to the Lord and cried out my deepest plea for rescue. My prayer often sounds like, “Lord, I know I repeatedly sin against you, but I can change, I can do better.” Then I remember Jesus. He is the One who took the wrath for my sin on the cross. So, what holds back my surrender?

Q: How can I take one step closer to full surrender to the Lord in my life? I want to trust the Lord’s sovereignty to the place where I accept what He says even when it may hurt.