1 Samuel 3

Where would we be without the Word of God? God reveals Himself to the whole world through creation. The heavens declare the glory of God. But we need more than His voice through nature. We need His special verbal revelation.

Throughout the history of Israel God spoke through His prophets about many important matters that they could never have known through their observation and reasoning. He also reinforced important messages that their hearts may have already suggested to them.

Eli the priest knew that there was a problem in his family. He had corrected his sons regarding their behavior but they would not listen to him. Then God sent a prophet to Eli to warn him that the priesthood would be taken away from his descendants and that both his sons would die on the same day. Those details could not have been known by Eli unless God had chosen to reveal them to him. God then reinforced this message through the young boy, Samuel, who was with Eli, ministering before the Lord.

God spoke to Samuel. This was such a new experience for Samuel that he did not understand what was happening until Eli began to perceive what the Lord was doing. Eli taught Samuel to say these words when He heard the voice of the Lord: “Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.”

The Word of God has come to us in person in Jesus Christ, the perfect Ambassador of the Father. He said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” We need to know the Voice of the Lord, and we need to respond with sincerity of heart as those who are determined to follow Him.

Hear the message that the Lord is revealing through nature. Pay close attention to what He is saying through providence. Attend to the voice of God in conscience, and the godly wisdom of those whom God gives as advisers and examples. But especially hear the final Word of God, Jesus Christ, as He is revealed to us in the Scriptures. Ask for, receive, and cultivate that settled heart that is ready to listen to Him and to obey. “Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.”

God's message through Samuel was not an easy one to say. Eli already knew it, but the Word that came through this dedicated young boy was a more focused confirmation of an earlier prophetic word and a direct rebuke against Eli for not restraining His sons. The iniquity of Eli's house would not be atoned for by the provisions in the law for sacrifice and offering. It was high-handed sin. Lives would be lost, and a part of the priestly line would come to an end.

Jesus came as the divine Word of God. He was also the perfect Prophet who heard the voice of the Lord and obeyed. He knew the Word for His own life. He knew what obedience would cost Him. His Father also knew well the divine plan that would eventually lead to the glory of a new resurrection kingdom. Jesus would be the Suffering Servant of God revealed in the Word of the prophets so many centuries before He was born. He would obey a difficult Word.

This was a Word that others were not willing to accept. But the Son of Man was led as the Lamb of God to the cross to make final atonement for our sins. None of the ceremonial sacrifices and offerings of the Old Testament had the power to atone for our sins before the throne of God in heaven. But the blood of the Lord's appointed Servant Jesus has cleansed us not only on earth but before the holy sanctuary of God on high.

The difficult Word of the cross received fully by Jesus has become for us a cause of boasting. Because of our merit? No. Because of the perfection of Christ and the supreme blessing of the grace of God that has come to us through Him. This is the message that we have heard, and this is the Word that we must obey.