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| SAMUEL'S CALL |
| The book of Samuel begins in the days when the judges still ruled Israel, possibly during the closing years of Samson's life. Samuel was Israel's last judge and first priest and prophet to serve during the time of a King. He was the best example of what a good judge should be, governing the people by God's word and not by his own impulses. Samuel was the man who annointed Saul as Israel's first king. When you read the book of Samuel, you learn that God is patient, persistent and specific when He calls us to follow His will for our lives. A person of faith recognizes God's call and responds with submission and obedience. The author of this book was possibly Samuel, but also includes writings from the prophets Nathan and Gad. { 1 Chronicles 29:29} The key Verses are "do as they say," the Lord replied, "for it is me they are rejecting, not you. They don't want me to be their king any longer....Do as they ask, but solemnly warn them about how a king will treat them" {8:7 ~ 9}. The key people in Samuel are Eli, Hannah, Samuel, Saul, Jonathan, and David. Although many old testament leaders such as Abraham, Jacob and David had more that one wife, this was not God's original intention for marriage. In Genesis 2:24 it states, that in marriage two people become one flesh. Why then did polygamy exist among God's people? First, it was to produce more offspring to help in a man's work and to assure the continuation of a man's family line. Numerous children were a symbol of status and wealth. Second, in societies where many young men were killed in battle, polygamy became an accepted way of supporting women who otherwise would have remained unmarried, and very likely destitute. Nevertheless, polygamy often caused serious family problems, as we see in the history of Hannah and Penninah. The Tabernacle was located at Shiloh, the religious center of the nation. Three times a year all Israelite men were required to attend a religious feast held at the Tabernacle; The Passover with the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the Festival of Harvest, and the Festival of Shelters.. Elkanah, Hannah's husband made his pilgrimage regularly to fulfill God's commands. Hannah had been unable to conceive children, and in Old Testament times, a childless woman was considered a failure. Her barreness was a social embarrassment for her husband. Children were a very important part of the societies economic structure. They were a source of labor for the family, and it was their duty to care for their parents in their old age. If a wife could not bear children, she was often obligated by ancient Middle Eastern custom to give one of her servant girls to her husband to bear children for her. Although Elkanah could have left Hannah {husbands were permitted to divorce a barren wife}, he remained lovingly devoted to her despite social criticism and his right under civil law. Part of God's plan for Hannah involved postponing her years of childbearing. While Peninnah and Elkanah looked at Hannah's outward circumstances, God was moving ahead with His plan. Think of those in our world who are struggling with God's timing in answering their prayers and who need our love and help. By supporting those who are struggling, we may help them remain steadfast and confident in His timing to bring fulfillment to their lives. Hannah knew her husband loved her, but even his encouragement could not comfort her. She could not keep from listening to Peninnah's words erode her self confidence. Although, we cannot keep others from unjustly criticizing us, we can choose how we will react to their hurtful words. Rather than dwelling upon our problems, we can enjoy the loving relationships God has given us. By doing so, we can exchange self-pity for hope. Hannah had good reason to feel discouraged and bitter. She was unable too bear children, she shared her husband with a woman who ridiculed her; her loving husband could not solve her problem; and even the high priest, Eli, misunderstood her motives. But instead of retaliating or giving up hope, Hannah prayed. She brought her problem honestly before God. Be careful what you promise God in prayer, because He may take you up on it. Hannah so desperately wanted a child that she was willing to strike a bargain with God. She promised Him if he would give her a son, that she would give him back to God to be in His service. God took her up on her promise, and to Hannah's credit, she did her part, even though it was painful. Although we are not in a position to barter with God, he may still choose to answer a prayer that has an attached promise. When you pray, ask, yourself, will I follow through on any promises I make to God if he grants my request? Earlier, Hannah had been discouraged to the point of being physically sick, and unable to eat. At this point she returned home well and happy. The change in her attitude may be attributed to three factors: {1} She honestly prayed to God, {2} She received encouragement from Eli, {3} She resolved to leave the problem with God. This is the antidote for discouragement, tell God how you really feel and leave your problems with Him. Hannah kept her promise and returned to God the gift He gave her, her only son, Samuel. Because Samuel's life was from God, Hannah was not really giving him up, rather, she was returning him to God, who had given him. Samuel was probably three years old when Hannah left him at the Tabernacle, { that was the customary age for weaning}. She left him there to fulfill her promise to dedicate his life to God to work in His service. Eli, the priest at the time was to be Samuel's mentor, but she never really left him, because she would visit regularly, and each year she would bring him a new robe just like Eli's. In later years, Samuel lived in Ramah, his parents hometown. We read in the third chapter when the Lord spoke to Samuel one night, he was around the age of 12. But each time, he thought that it was Eli who had summoned him. after three times of coming to Eli, Eli realized that it was the Lord God calling Samuel, so he told him, the next time you hear this voice , say "speak, Lord your servant is listening." We know that the Lord revealed to Samuel that Eli would be judged because of the sins he knew his sons and family had committed and had failed to restrain them. The Lord said, "The guilt of Eli's house will never be atoned for by sacrifice or offering. Samuel didn't want to tell Eli what the Lord had said, but Eli told him that he must not hide the truth from him. After hearing what the Lord had told him, he replied to Samuel," He is the Lord, let him do what is good in His eyes" Samuel continued to judge over Israel all the days of his life. There is much more to tell about this wonderful book in the Bible, it has some courageous stories to tell, I will cover more next week, when I go to II Samuel. *~*~* THE CALL During your walk with Jesus our Lord, What and how much, could you afford To answer a call that He may place Whatever it takes for Amazing Grace? *~*~* Could you give the life of your only son To follow Him, and do whatever may come? Or would you shun away and try to hide, From all that He may require to abide. *~*~* A willing servant, can you be If he places a call for eternity? What a big question it is to ask Would you always be up to the task? *~*~* Our loving Father, in His infinite wisdom Would never place upon you, what can't be done. Rest assured, if He gives you a call He will be there to prevent your fall. *~*~* Faithfulness, love, trust and humility, Will take you much further than your abilities. If you put you life into the Master's hands He will mold you, and make you, according to plans. *~*~* Written by Shirley Barr February 17, 2005 Hebrews 11: 32~34 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and Jephtha of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight turned to flight the armies of the aliens. |
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