1 Samuel 1-3 -- -- Eli's fate and Samuel's calling

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  YES, TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!!

   God does work in ways of which we do not always understand.  However, when we look back we can say, Oh, God orchestrated that!  One thing that is hard for us to do is accept the fruits of our labor ----if they are bad fruits.

   Once Samuel was weaned he was given to Eli to study and learn about the LORD.  Now, Eli's son's were very rebellious against Eli and the LORD.  They had no regard for the LORD himself (1 Sam. 2:12); they treated the offerings of the LORD with contempt by not handling it according to God's law (1 Sam. 2:17); and they slept with the women who served at the entrance to the tent, showing their immorality and disregard for worship and worshippers (1 Sam. 2:23).

   This would come to haunt Eli and his sons as the sons did evil in the eyes of the LORD.  However, Samuel was refreshing to Eli as he was a direct 180 from Eli's sons.  In 1 Samuel 2:26 you will see where Samuel grew in stature, grew in favor of the LORD, and grew in favor of the people.  Also, understand that Samuel slept in the same dwelling place as Eli.  Next comes the call of Samuel by God.

  1 Samuel 3:7-18 God calls Samuel.  Samuel hears God calling but thinks it is Eli and runs to him.  The third time Eli realized God was calling Samuel and told him to say "Speak, your servant is listening", of which he did.  It was at this point that God revealed what would happen to Eli and his sons because of the sons evil.

   Eli asked Samuel what the LORD said, Samuel was hesitant, but Eli said to Samuel, “Do not hide it from me. May God deal with you, be it ever so severely, if you hide from me anything he told you.”  So Samuel revealed everything.

   Now here is a part we need to learn from. Once Eli heard this he said:
“He is the Lord; let him do what is good in his eyes.”  What a lesson in obedience and faith.

   God blessed the ministry of Samuel (1 Sam. 3:19-21) and as he grew the LORD blessed him.  All the people who heard recognized Samuel as God's prophet because of God's blessing His message through him.

   Eli and Samuel - great lessons for us to learn to be obedient to God, listen to God, and accept what God is giving us (good or bad).  Samuel will continue on in the next lessons.  If you want to read more go to the Bible or my blog.  Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny