A word from the Lord was rare ∙∙

A word from the Lord was rare ∙∙

A word from the LORD was rare in those days, and visions were infrequent. – 1 Samuel 3:1

1 Samuel 3:1-11

 1 Now in those days messages from the LORD were very rare, and visions were quite uncommon.

 4 Suddenly, the LORD called out, “Samuel!” “Yes?” Samuel replied. “What is it?”

 5 He got up and ran to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?” “I didn’t call you,” Eli replied. “Go back to bed.” So he did.

 6 Then the LORD called out again, “Samuel!” Again Samuel got up and went to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?” “I didn’t call you, my son,” Eli said. “Go back to bed.”

 7 Samuel did not yet know the LORD because he had never had a message from the LORD before.

 8 So the LORD called a third time, and once more Samuel got up and went to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?” Then Eli realized it was the LORD who was calling the boy.

 9 So he said to Samuel, “Go and lie down again, and if someone calls again, say, ‘Speak, LORD, your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went back to bed.

 10 And the LORD came and called as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel replied, “Speak, your servant is listening.”

 11 Then the LORD said to Samuel, “I am about to do a shocking thing in Israel.”

George was a master persuader. He had an uncanny ability to move a roomful of people to his perspective. How did he do it?

George would ask thought-provoking questions and then retreat into silence. George created a space for others to provide their viewpoints and allowed their voices to take center stage. He had perfected the art of active listening. He was mindful of the underlying guiding principles and perspectives contributing to what was said.

Consequently, George cultivated a deep understanding of others’ viewpoints and unspoken desires and motivations. He then acknowledges what he had heard (which is, most likely, more than has been said). There is almost always more substance below the surface of what people say than there is in their words. George would present his own arguments in a manner that corresponded to the underlying needs and aspirations of the audience. The result was a persuasive, resonating impact. George was always willing to learn something from others’ perspectives and to let them know when he was shifting his view as a result of theirs.

Because George had listened to them, people did not argue with him. Due to the fact that he had heard them, his perspective became the wisest in the room.

Listening is far more persuasive than speaking. If you want people to listen, Stop Talking (Peter Bregman, HBR).

The Father is always listening. Some people talk more with their deeds than they do with their words. At the right time, He speaks.

1 Samuel 3:7 Samuel did not yet know the LORD because he had never had a message from the LORD before.

When the Father first spoke to Samuel, the boy did not know or recognize His voice. He had never heard the Father speak before. Samuel was actively engaged in fulfilling his responsibilities at the Tabernacle, assisting Eli. He was serving the Lord, but he had not yet met Him.

Eli realized that the voice that Samuel was hearing was the Father speaking to him. The Father was calling out to the boy. Eli was wise enough to tell Samuel how to respond the next time he heard the Father’s voice.  

1 Samuel 3:9 “Speak, LORD, your servant is listening.”

There’s no longer a need to wonder how to act upon hearing the Father’s voice. Eli provides us with clear guidance on how to respond when the Father speaks. With a straightforward declaration, we surrender control and recognize the Father as our Lord. He is the Master, and we are His servants.

Samuel stands out in stark contrast to Eli and his sons. Eli was a passive and absent father. Eli’s performance as a priestly leader was marked by failure. His sons were worthless men who did not know or respect the LORD (1 Samuel 2:12).

At the same time, the people of Israel were defiant and distant from the Father. Could this be why messages from the LORD were very rare and visions were quite uncommon?

REFLECT & PRAY

It is all too possible to serve the Lord without ever knowing Him (Matthew 7:23).

Father how I long to be like Samuel. Let me quickly respond when You speak: “Speak, LORD, your servant is listening.”

INSIGHT

Now that Samuel was ready to hear and respond appropriately, he did not have long to wait. But this time, there was more than just a voice.

1 Samuel 3:10 Then the LORD came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.”

This was no mysterious voice nor mystical experience. The Lord was there, physically present.

Was all that preceded this moment preparing Samuel to hear and take in what the Father said? Samuel was still just a boy but a prophet, a man of God in the making.

The Father’s words were dreadful and terrifying. No doubt, Samuel was already intently listening and focused. But now, his eyes widened, and he took a deep breath. I can imagine that under his breath, Samuel whispered, “Oh God no!” Perhaps he wept.

1 Samuel 3:11 Then the LORD said to Samuel, “I am about to do a shocking thing in Israel.”

The Hebrew could be literally translated, “When anyone hears about it, both of his ears will tingle.”

Habakkuk had a similar reaction to comparable unnerving news.

Habakkuk 3:16 I trembled inside when I heard this; my lips quivered with fear. My legs gave way beneath me, and I shook in terror.

What was the Father about to do? The world, as the Nation of Israel, knew it was about to collapse. “The catastrophe was the impending defeat of Israel by the Philistines, the death of Eli’s sons and Eli himself, the capture of the ark of God, and the desolation of the national sanctuary at Shiloh” (Smith).

But there was a new world coming. The time of the Judges was ending. The Nation of Israel would no longer be twelve loosely confederated tribes. It was about to become a kingdom. And Samuel was being prepared to anoint the first king, the people’s choice, Saul. But Saul was a poor choice.

Samuel would also anoint the Father’s choice, David.

When the Father is silent, it’s not always a bad thing. Perhaps He is preparing you for the day that He speaks. Get ready. His perspective is always the wisest in the room.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 5-2-1

© Dr. H 2023