(1 Samuel 2:34-35) "...This will be the sign to you which will come concerning your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas: on the same day both of them will die. 35 But I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest who will do according to what is in My heart and in My soul; and I will build him an enduring house, and he will walk before My anointed always..."
Meanwhile, there was a young boy named Samuel who had been dedicated to God by his mother, who had been barren for many years. When he was born and after he had been weaned, she obediently brought Samuel to Eli to train up as a priest and servant for God.
(1 Samuel 3:1) Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord before Eli. And word from the Lord was rare in those days, visions were infrequent.
Now the LORD called out for Samuel - several times. Each time Samuel thought it was Eli calling for him. Finally Eli realized that it must be God and gave Samuel instructions for the next time he heard God calling.
(1 Samuel 3:10-14) Then the Lord came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.” 11 The Lord said to Samuel, “Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which both ears of everyone who hears it will tingle. 12 In that day I will carry out against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. 13 For I have told him that I am about to judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knew, because his sons brought a curse on themselves and he did not rebuke them. 14 Therefore I have sworn to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever.”
Although Samuel was afraid to let Eli know what God had told him, Eli insisted that he needed to hear what God had to say, no matter what. And from that point on Israel know that Samuel was confirmed as a prophet. One cannot just claim to be a prophet... the things that are prophesied must come about. Because Eli had not dealt with his sinful sons, when Israel decided (on their own, without God's direction) to attack the Philistines, they were defeated. And they were shocked, thinking that they were the Israelites - they should have won. They got a "bright idea" to bring the ark of the covenant to the battle field, BUT...
(1 Samuel 4:10-11) ...the Philistines fought and Israel was defeated, and every man fled to his tent; and the slaughter was very great, for there fell of Israel thirty thousand foot soldiers. 11 And the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, died.
The Israelites had been taking God for granted. Much like an American might say, "I'm an American so therefore I'm a Christian." Not so. One must choose to have a personal relationship with Jesus. The Israelites thought that the ark of the covenant could be used as a "good luck charm". Much like someone might think that wearing a cross on a necklace, or just attending church might make one a Christian. Not so. One must choose to have a personal relationship with Jesus. Because the Israelites looked to the ark of the covenant for success, rather than look to God, God did not bless them in their efforts. As for the Philistines who also thought that the ark of the covenant could bring them success, God made sure that it was a curse to them.
What's crazy - is that the Israelites knew they had a prophet and a priest in their midst who could speak on God's behalf. But did they ask Samuel what God would want them to do? No. They took matters in their own hands, until finally they saw how things got so out of hand. They eventually did go to Samuel.
(1 Samuel 7:2-4) ...all the house of Israel lamented after the Lord. 3 Then Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, “If you return to the Lord with all your heart, remove the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your hearts to the Lord and serve Him alone; and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.” 4 So the sons of Israel removed the Baals and the Ashtaroth and served the Lord alone.
The Israelites not only listened to this advice, but when the Philistines began an attack against them, they asked Samuel what they should do... through this - Israel finally had the victory!!!How often do we take matters into our own hands and then wonder why things aren't working out as planned? And then - dare to blame God and be angry with Him! Meanwhile, did we consult what God says in His word, the Bible? Did we act without even a prayer, even though we know we now have a Savior who is our High Priest, who we can approach any time, with anything?
(Hebrews 8:1,2,6) Now the main point in what has been said is this: we have such a high priest, who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, 2 a minister in the sanctuary and in the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man. 6 ...now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises.
What should WE do in whatever circumstances we find ourselves? Here is a portion of a letter from Apostle Paul to the church at Corinth, as an example what we should do and what we should think...
(2 Corinthians 1:8-11) ...For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; 9 indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead; 10 who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us, 11 you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many.
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