Calling Samuel: Life and Times of a Spiritual Bodybuilder

Goal: To guide the learner understands of the “Call” of God.
Text: I Samuel 3:1-15

I was never going to speak or write about God ever again! I was convinced that God rejected me; I thought for sure that I had wasted my talents and would never teach or preach, again. Then half way into the summer, I no longer had a job!
We had to make some troubling decisions about family, finances and our future. We wanted God to speak to us, “clearly and in plain language.” Honestly I wanted Jesus to knock on the front door and set me down with a cup of coffee. I wanted, desperately, for a clear plan; however, I was too raw and broken to see the next step, God allowed me time to heal before we moved into frighteningly new territory. Soon, I was stripped of any illusions that I was in control of my life.
It was apparent that I had to build some spiritual strength or God would never be able to reveal our future. So, I looked for an example of a Spiritual Bodybuilder, someone that I could think of to help me, prepare for God’s will.

“Is that you God? Sounds like you need help!”
I Samuel 3:1-7

In the Bible we read many examples of God calling servants to spread God’s message. The Hebrew people called these servants, prophets. (Not to be confused with profits, more on this later.) Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Jeremiah all have dramatically different calls and still they are drawn to the same work.
It is true of Samuel, too. Samuel was at work in the Temple of God. Samuel was a young man attending to his elderly mentor, Eli. Eli as a priest of God had a responsibility to keep the Temple and God’s ark always ready for sacrifice and worship. During the night, a lamppost was to be lit throughout the dark hours, and since Eli was growing blind, Samuel was dosing and watching the lamp. He, also, had to listen for Eli; in case he needed help in the night. In the last hours of the night, Samuel hears Eli calling him…

“Why does God talk to him and not me?”
(I Samuel 1 & 2)

Samuel’s mother was barren, she could not have children and this was terrible. So, she prayed for divine intervention, and Eli ends up so impressed with her devout plea that he offers a blessing to her. (There is a lot to say here, but I am still digesting it. Let’s just say that this is a significant discussion of suffering.) Samuel is born soon after and his mother commits his life to God. When he is old enough, three or so, she turns him over to Eli’s care and tutelage.
Samuel spends his formative years as a servant of the Temple, and beholding to Eli for an apprenticeship to the priesthood. The Temple’s sole activity was to be a place to sacrifice animals to God for the Creator’s absolution.
Phinehas and Hophni, Eli’s own sons, are set up in juxtaposition. These men start out ignoring God’s law, soon they deny God’s demands to be considered first, later they take violent measures against others and finally, they move from taking food to taking lovers by force. They have perverted the position of the priesthood so deeply that God ends up passing judgment on them as unfit for the office. In this time that meant very terrible repercussions.
However, in the midst of this Samuel continues to serve and work to aid his people.

“Please hold for an important message from the Creator…”
I Samuel 3:8- 15

Eli recognizes Samuel’s next step of spiritual maturity and he guides the young man through it. I often find myself taking a flight of fancy: How excited and proud did Eli feel then? Do you think it was easy to sleep or wait for the morning routine to bring Eli and Samuel together again? Samuel was talking to GOD!
However, Samuel’s first chance to deliver a message was not a pleasant one. In fact, Eli used some pretty terrible threats to force the conversation. Samuel has to tell his mentor and his father-figure that he has failed as a father and as a spiritual leader.
But, Eli’s response seems puzzling; he is resigned and still offers encouragement for Samuel’s work. Would you or I be as careful in our response? I am starting to see that God requires strong spirits, because life on Earth is tough! More importantly, Christ’s work is not for light-weights. We need to be able to survive the struggles ahead.

Pray:

“Jesus Christ, we are still not strong enough. Teach us and test us, make us into that which you can work with. Everywhere I go and everyone I meet, let me serve You. Then I will hear you speak.”