Day 939: Is God's will welcome? - 1 Samuel 3 vs 11 - 21

11-13 Then the Lord said to Samuel, “Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which the two ears of everyone who hears it will tingle. On that day I will fulfil against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. And I declare to him that I am about to punish his house for ever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them. 14 Therefore I swear to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering for ever.”

15-18 Samuel lay until morning; then he opened the doors of the house of the Lord. And Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli. But Eli called Samuel and said, “Samuel, my son.” And he said, “Here I am.” And Eli said, “What was it that he told you? Do not hide it from me. May God do so to you and more also if you hide anything from me of all that he told you.” So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. And he said, “It is the Lord. Let him do what seems good to him.”

19-21 And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established as a prophet of the Lord. And the Lord appeared again at Shiloh, for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the Lord. 1 Samuel 3:11-21 English Standard Version

Can you imagine the dread that must’ve been upon young Samuel's mind as he lay in bed waiting for morning to come, and having to respond to Eli when asked what had happened during the night? For what had happened is told in vs 11-13 where God had told Samuel of a severe judgment that was to fall upon Eli's household. What was it that made that message an even harder one to pass on to Eli? (vs 14)

The ways in which Eli's sons had shown contempt for God, and because Eli had failed to honour God by disciplining them, was something that could not be glossed over, nor pardoned through a sacrifice. This should be a warning even for Christians today that religious activity, or religious connections, are not a guarantee of salvation. Jesus warned religious people in His day that “every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.” (Matthew 12:31) The New Testament book of Hebrews echoes this when it says: “It's impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.” (Hebrews 6:4-6)

While God's word is ultimately a message of wonderful salvation for His people, it has sombre implications for those who treat it as if it's no big deal. If we have opportunity to share it with people we must not be afraid to warn them of the bad news too. John 3:16 is a well known and well loved verse to share with people, but we must remember that verse 36 of that chapter goes on to say: “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”

I'm not sure what to make of Eli. He seems to have reverenced God, but his words “it is the Lord, let Him do what seems good to Him”, could suggest a dissatisfied relationship. That can be true of any of us if God's honour isn't uppermost in our thoughts and desires. How different were Jesus' words as He faced what lay before Him, and prayed “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39)

Verses 19-21 are a contrast to how this chapter had started. It began with the words that “the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision.” With the arrival of Samuel, however, God was once again speaking to His people after years of self centred lifestyles on their part. That can be true of Christians today too. Self seeking on our part can make God's word distant in our lives. May His word come afresh to us today.