[Notes of a sermon preached in June, 2004]

What’s in a word?  “Stick & stones” – “Careless talk costs lives” – “Guilty or not guilty?” – “I do”

When that word is God’s…  “God said…” – “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” – “Out of his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword” (Rev)

We see God’s word in action in this passage.  Verse 1 – ‘In those days the word of the Lord was rare.’  This was, no doubt, related to the state of moral disarray that the nation was in at that time: “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit.”  The general godlessness extended to the priesthood.  Look at the attitude of Eli’s sons, Hophni & Phinehas.  They were priests, but they were ‘wicked men’ who had ‘no regard for the Lord’, 2:12.

But God is about to speak.  One might have expected him to speak to Eli the high priest but in fact he appears to Samuel the child.  Eli, of course, was part of the problem.  He was the spiritual guardian of the nation, and yet he had failed to restrain wickedness within his own family.  God’s message for him is that he and his family are under God’s judgement.  According to 2:27-36 Eli had already been warned by an unnamed prophet.  I wonder if even now it was not too late for him to obey God rather than indulge his sons.  But his response, 3:18, is merely one of sad resignation: “He is the LORD; let him do what is good in his eyes.”

Samuel, in contrast, was teachable and obedient.  He had a servant heart, and, of course, a praying mother.  God always looks for such qualities in people he intends to use powerfully.  In raising up spiritual leaders, God may use unexpected channels. We need to be prepared for the Lord to work at any place, at any time, and through anyone he chooses.

Not that it was entirely straightforward for Samuel.  Not only was the word of the Lord rare in those days, but he didn’t know the Lord yet.  No wonder he thought at first that it was Eli who was calling him.  Friends, it takes wisdom, and a regular walking with God to be able to distinguish between God’s voice and that of well-meaning friends or our own wishful thinking.

Anyway, We read in verse 19ff., ‘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.’.

The word of God has a double action.  The same word which spelt judgement for Eli and his family, signalled a new direction for Samuel and for the entire nation.  Like a hammer, God’s word can both build and destroy.  Like the rain, it can both cleanse and refresh.   Remember the words of another prophet concerning another young child – the words of Simeon to Mary, Lk 2:34 – “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel.”  Jesus is a rock which may be used either as a stumbling-block or a stairway.  Those who proudly reject him will trip over and fall.  Those who humbly accept him will be lifted up.  The word of God, the message of Jesus, demand a response.  There is no neutral ground.

May God make us faithful in hearing, obeying and proclaiming his holy word.