In those days
the word of the Lord was rare
(1 Samuel 3:1).
Let’s examine the
climate into which Samuel is born. We’ve recently completed Judges, in which
the theme was, In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw
fit (Judges 21:25). Consider the conditions that came from the time of the
judges.
Israel was
experiencing a spiritual drought. Eli (the High Priest) was a decent sort of
fellow, even though his spiritual discernment was weak and his parenting was
weaker. When Hannah was praying at the tabernacle, Eli was so spiritually thick
that he mistook the cries of her heart for being drunk and disorderly.
Notice that Hannah
is described as barren. In the Bible, this almost always foreshadows that
something of significance is about to happen. Joseph, Samson and Samuel all
share that distinction of being born of barren women.
Also consider the
transitional role that Samuel is about to play: the last judge and the first
prophet of Israel. He will usher in the monarchial period by anointing not only
the first, but also the second king to rule the nation.
He revealed
himself to Samuel through his word (3:21).
In those days
the word of the Lord was rare. These days most people have a Bible
sitting somewhere gathering dust. Know what I’m saying?
TODAY’S MEDITATION
Ask God to reveal himself
to you through his Word, and for the Scriptures to come alive in your spirit.
Consider what he’s been saying to you.
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