Samuel was an answer to a mother’s cry for years. Hannah cried in God’s presence for a child and Samuel was an answer to her cry. He was dedicated for God’s service by his mother. At a very young age he was left with the priest Eli in the temple of God. Samuel ministered before the LORD under Eli the priest.
Eli’s sons were wicked men; they had no regard for the LORD. Now it was the practice of the priests with the people that whenever anyone offered a sacrifice and while the meat was being boiled, the servant of the priest would come with a three-pronged fork in his hand. He would plunge it into the pan or kettle or caldron or pot, and the priest would take for himself whatever the fork brought up. This is how they treated all the Israelites who came to Shiloh. But even before the fat was burned, the servant of the priest would come and say to the man who was sacrificing, “Give the priest some meat to roast; he won’t accept boiled meat from you, but only raw.”
If the man said to him, “Let the fat be burned up first, and then take whatever you want,” the servant would then answer, “No, hand it over now; if you don’t, I’ll take it by force.” This sin of the young men was very great in the LORD’s sight, for they were treating the LORD’s offering with contempt. Also they committed adultery with the women who served at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.
But Samuel was ministering before the LORD -a boy wearing a linen ephod. In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions. Now we see that Samuel heard God’s voice.
Now this is what challenges me. Samuel and Eli’s sons were ministering in the same temple. I am sure that Samuel might have seen what they were doing. Samuel could have followed them because they were sons of Eli the priest. If I put in today’s term then they were Pastor’s sons. But Samuel’s decision was something else. He followed God rather than the sons of Eli.
See you will always have the challenge to follow the wickedness of so called spiritual people. But remember that you are called to follow Jesus and not any man. Bible should be your standard.
So then what happened afterwards? The LORD was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognized that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the LORD. The LORD continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word.
Other side the Philistines fought, and the Israelites were defeated and every man fled to his tent. The slaughter was very great; Israel lost thirty thousand foot soldiers. The ark of God was captured, and Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, died.
Remember that People who belong to a Godly Generation will hate wickedness and hear God’s voice. You have a choice to make. Whom will you follow? If you have your eyes fixed up on Jesus then you will hear God’s voice !
May God Bless You!
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