2018-11-11T11:00:00-06:00
3:1 Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the LORD in the presence of Eli. And the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision.
2 At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his own place. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was.
4 Then the LORD called Samuel, and he said, “Here I am!” 5 and ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down.
6 And the LORD called again, “Samuel!” and Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, and the word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him.
8 And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the LORD was calling the boy. 9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant hears.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
10 And the LORD came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.” 11 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. 12 On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. 13 And I declare to him that I am about to punish his house forever, 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 forever.”
15 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. 16 But Eli called Samuel and said, “Samuel, my son.” And he said, “Here I am.” 17 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.” 18 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 And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. 20 And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established as a prophet of the LORD. 21 And the LORD appeared again at Shiloh, for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the LORD.
4:1 And the word of Samuel came to all Israel.
Now Israel went out to battle against the Philistines. They encamped at Ebenezer, and the Philistines encamped at Aphek.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version copyright (c)2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. http://www.esv.org
It doesn't happen very often, but when it does, it produces equal parts confusion and sadness. In the rough and tumble world of an urban Trauma Center, it's especially inscrutable. The patient is usually a man who arrived by ambulance, or a loved one brought by anxious relatives. The labs are drawn, imaging studies performed, and the diagnosis clear. There's usually even a plan for treatment. And then it happens. The patient announces, "I'm leaving!" It's a stunner every time. Sure enough, after the explaining and the warning and the documenting, off he goes, "Against Medical Advice."
It's hard to watch. You know they need help, and even they know they need help. They will probably soon die. They are leaving the very place that has resources to care for them, and yet they will not receive that help. Why would that ever happen? Why would anyone refuse the rescue offered them?
When Saul came to rescue his kinsmen from the Ammonites, the account has a dramatic and happy ending. The Israelite town of Jabesh-gilead was surrounded. The diagnosis was straightforward. The condition of the townspeople was terminal unless they agreed to a horrible fate. There were only bad options. They could have an eye gouged out and live as maimed, conquered people, or fight in a battle they would certainly lose. So they cried out for rescue, for some unimaginable other way, for a hero.
The scripture is clear what happens next. Surprised by the whole affair himself, God's chosen leader, empowered by God's Holy Spirit, musters the people of Israel, and they destroy the feared and hated Ammonites. God saved the people who absolutely could not save themselves.
That same, steadfast, loving God offers the same kind of rescue today. Besieged and held captive by sin, by "the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions", no one can save themselves. So God has sent a hero, His only begotten Son. "The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost." (1 Timothy 1:15)
But the sad and inscrutable reality is that some who need rescue refuse. They seem glad to have heard the message of Jesus, even empowered a bit. They clearly know the therapy their soul desperately needs. And they announce in word and deed, "I'm leaving!"
If that's you, please don't go. Don’t choose death instead of life. Cling to Christ, and, "you shall have deliverance."