1 Samuel 3:1
NKJV Now the boy Samuel ministered to the LORD
before Eli. And the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no
widespread revelation.
Precious (KJV) is used in the sense of "rare." Those things that are considered “Rare” are
those things which are considered the precious or the valuable. In the sense
that Eli and his priesthood carried no spoken words of inspiration from God, he
was considered the “blind” nor did he have vision that was open toward
God! So that which was of God was left
out of that given and most likely consisted of human inspired things. Yikes!
When you get into the story of Eli, we find him neither a
good father figure nor a priest of morals. His sons were declared to die both
of them in one day!
1 Samuel 2 :29-36 NKJV 29 “Why do you kick at My sacrifice
and My offering which I have commanded in my dwelling place, and honor your
sons more than Me, to make yourselves fat with the best of all the offerings of
Israel My people. 30”Therefore the LORD God of Israel says, “I said indeed that
your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever.” But now
the LORD says: ‘Far be it from Me, for those who honor Me will honor, and those
who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed. 31’Behold, the days are coming that I
will cut off your arm and the arm of your father’s house, so that there will
not be an old man in your house. 32 “And you will see an enemy in My dwelling
place, despite all the good which God does for Israel. And there shall not be
an old man in your house forever. 33 ‘But any of your men whom I do not cut off
from My altar shall consume your eyes and grieve your heart. And all the
descendants of your house shall die in the flower of their age. 34 ‘Now this
shall be a sign to you that will come upon your two sons, on Hophni, and
Phinehas: in one day they shall die, both of them. 35 ‘Then I will raise up for
Myself a faithful priest who shall do according to what is in My heart and in
My mind. I will build him a sure house, and he shall walk before My anointed
forever. 36 ‘And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left in your house
will come and bow down to him for a piece of silver and a morsel of bread, and
say, “ Please, put me in one of the priestly positions that I may eat a piece
of bread.”
As the priests, they were no make the truth open and clear
to the people. But these did not hear God, so they did not minister God’s truth
to the people of Israel. So the young Samuel now would
be brought up to know God. It would the young Samuel who would lie down by the altar of God and wait for
God's instructions.
Yes, the word had been “rare” in those days but
there was coming light into the darkened areas that this priest and his sons
had lavished with much sin. It was their sin that blocked that which God so
vitally wanted them to have.
Those sons of Eli used their position to extort meat for
their own use. They robbed the offerings
and seized even the peace offerings. And God was displeased with them in how
they acted, and how they dishonored this priestly position with much
wickedness. Even in chapter 2 and verse 22 we are told that Eli was very old;
and he heard everything his sons did to all Israel, and how they lay with the
women who assembled at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. Yes, the women
were to do menial tasks at the entrance to the tabernacle, but this was not one of thos menial task for them! So sin was rampant even to the entrance of the tabernacle!
Are we raising our children for the Lord or for the ways
that Eli raised his own two sons? For we are to honor the Lord and have that relationship
helps us to know God and understand the walk with Him brings us that closer walk to know Him and
to know His ways.
But if we raise our children yielding to the children as Eli
did his sons, then only death is seen.
The elder gentleman did not have the respect from his two sons. It is
given that he was slighted by them. He held no rebuke out to them for their
really bad behavior. And the leniency he provides them only makes them more
outrageous in their corrupt ways!
Samuel the prophet was called and it was his praying mother
that presented him to the Lord in that service. Presented to the priest Eli in Shiloh, Samuel began ministering to the Lord.
It was Eli and his sons that were in the
office of priest because of their heritage was found among their descendants like Aaron. But now the obscure young Levite named Samuel would take the place of prophet before the altar in the presence of
God to hear instructions.
Will we stay close to the Lord and hear as He instructs us
through His word of truth? The true was
going to be raised up and there would be a prophet in Shiloh….and God did not let
his words fall to the ground. For when the prophet Samuel spoke, he spoke truly!
Father, help us to see the importance of Your words of life to us! Help us to see what is important for life in these days of chaos on earth. Help us if we have wandered off from the straight and narrow to the super highway of the world to serve self instead of Your honor and words of life. How can we move into being in concert with You for the days ahead?
Father,
Your words are top priority to us. They are spirit and they are life. We let
the Word of God dwell in us richly in all wisdom. We have learned that the ability of God is
released within us by the words of our mouth and by the Word of God.
Help us see when we falter in this endeavor of regarding truth above error!
We believe for change, but we know it only comes by speaking what You speak Father. So today, we choose to speak
YOUR words out of our mouth. They are alive in us at this moment. You are alive
and working in us, so we can boldly say that our words are words of faith,
words of power, words of love, and words of life. They produce good things in our
life and in the lives of others. Because we choose Your Words for our lips, we
choose Your will for our life, and we go forth in the power of those words to
perform them.
Thank You for the paths of mercy and
truth to those who keep Your covenant of blood through Jesus Christ. It is YOU
Who whispers Your unconditional love deep into our souls and remind us that
Your mercies are new every morning.
You
are our Strength & Shield; May our hearts always trust in You and songs of praise may we always give. For we know to render that which is for our God Most High, who knows the
voice of our supplications when we cry, who gives us courage in our hearts and
gives us eyes to see the spiritual.
Eli did not much for his sons, but he certainly took time with Samuel to teach him and demonstrate to us the steps to encourage a youth to hear God's voice. For we know You speak to us and we pray that we hear You when You speak our name out to us!
Father we see a true servant is to be faithful in heart to You. May our hearts be set toward You, especially as we look for
YOUR return. We continue to lift our prayers before you, not only for our
families but this nation as well.
We ask for strength in this walk of faith for
You give strength to them who are weary and You increase the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary and men stumble and fall; but those who hope
in You Lord, will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary. The will walk and not faint. No matter our age dear Lord, may we soar on high for Your glory and to Your praise.
Lord, You are our Strength and our Song.
You have become our Salvation. We praise You with our hearts exalting You in Your unfailing
love it is You who lead the people YOU have redeemed……
in Jesus’ name. Amen.
New teaching at: Voice of Prayer
Refreshing Shall Come
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