Post by Les on Jun 17, 2023 10:52:16 GMT -5
Keep On Listening By: Anne Le Tissier
Click here for the Audio Message
Speak, for your servant is listening.
1 Samuel 3:10
Today's Scripture & Insight:
1 Samuel 3:1–18
Grandpa appeared at the bedroom door to look in on the two little girls. “I’ve told you twice already,” he said to my young daughter and her cousin, tucked up together in a double bed for their overnight sleepover. “You need to be quiet and go to sleep.”
“But she keeps on talking,” my daughter protested.
Her cousin shot back, “That’s because she keeps on listening.”
The young boy Samuel kept on listening too. He’d been learning to serve God in the tabernacle but hadn’t encountered Him personally (v. 7). Not until the night he heard a voice calling his name. Samuel assumed it was his ageing mentor, Eli. But after three visits from the boy, Eli realised Samuel was hearing God and advised him what to do. So the next time Samuel heard the voice, he said, “Speak, for your servant is listening” (v. 10). Although the message was unpleasant to hear, Samuel obediently passed it on. In fact, he kept on listening to God, bringing His guidance and judgements to Israel, right into his old age.
When we long to hear God, Samuel’s words of welcome and obedience help focus our attention. They prompt us to still our thoughts and to listen as we start praying or reading Scripture. They can also help us to pause and pay attention to God through our day. Be encouraged that God will speak to you too.
Reflect & Pray
How do good listeners you know inspire your own attentive listening to God? If you struggle to hear God’s voice, whom could you approach to help you nurture greater discernment?
Father, You have so much You want to say to me through prayer, Your word, circumstances and relationships. Please keep on speaking as I learn to listen and respond.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
In the early chapters of 1 Samuel, the author is adept at using contrast to highlight the difference between the sons of Eli and Samuel. First Samuel 2:12 notes that “Eli’s sons were scoundrels; they had no regard for the Lord” and “they slept with the women who served” as worship attendants (v. 22). Samuel, on the other hand, “continued to grow in stature and in favour with the Lord and with people” (v. 26). While Eli’s sons didn’t listen to their father’s rebuke ( v. 25), Samuel’s response to the Lord was, “Speak, for your servant is listening” (3:10).
Arthur Jackson
1 Samuel 3:1-18
King James Version
3 And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision.
2 And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see;
3 And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep;
4 That the Lord called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.
5 And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down.
6 And the Lord called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again.
7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him.
8 And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the Lord had called the child.
9 Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
10 And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.
11 And the Lord said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle.
12 In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end.
13 For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.
14 And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever.
15 And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the Lord. And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision.
16 Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I.
17 And he said, What is the thing that the Lord hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee.
18 And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the Lord: let him do what seemeth him good.
Click here for the Audio Message
Speak, for your servant is listening.
1 Samuel 3:10
Today's Scripture & Insight:
1 Samuel 3:1–18
Grandpa appeared at the bedroom door to look in on the two little girls. “I’ve told you twice already,” he said to my young daughter and her cousin, tucked up together in a double bed for their overnight sleepover. “You need to be quiet and go to sleep.”
“But she keeps on talking,” my daughter protested.
Her cousin shot back, “That’s because she keeps on listening.”
The young boy Samuel kept on listening too. He’d been learning to serve God in the tabernacle but hadn’t encountered Him personally (v. 7). Not until the night he heard a voice calling his name. Samuel assumed it was his ageing mentor, Eli. But after three visits from the boy, Eli realised Samuel was hearing God and advised him what to do. So the next time Samuel heard the voice, he said, “Speak, for your servant is listening” (v. 10). Although the message was unpleasant to hear, Samuel obediently passed it on. In fact, he kept on listening to God, bringing His guidance and judgements to Israel, right into his old age.
When we long to hear God, Samuel’s words of welcome and obedience help focus our attention. They prompt us to still our thoughts and to listen as we start praying or reading Scripture. They can also help us to pause and pay attention to God through our day. Be encouraged that God will speak to you too.
Reflect & Pray
How do good listeners you know inspire your own attentive listening to God? If you struggle to hear God’s voice, whom could you approach to help you nurture greater discernment?
Father, You have so much You want to say to me through prayer, Your word, circumstances and relationships. Please keep on speaking as I learn to listen and respond.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
In the early chapters of 1 Samuel, the author is adept at using contrast to highlight the difference between the sons of Eli and Samuel. First Samuel 2:12 notes that “Eli’s sons were scoundrels; they had no regard for the Lord” and “they slept with the women who served” as worship attendants (v. 22). Samuel, on the other hand, “continued to grow in stature and in favour with the Lord and with people” (v. 26). While Eli’s sons didn’t listen to their father’s rebuke ( v. 25), Samuel’s response to the Lord was, “Speak, for your servant is listening” (3:10).
Arthur Jackson
1 Samuel 3:1-18
King James Version
3 And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision.
2 And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see;
3 And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep;
4 That the Lord called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.
5 And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down.
6 And the Lord called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again.
7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him.
8 And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the Lord had called the child.
9 Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
10 And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.
11 And the Lord said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle.
12 In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end.
13 For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.
14 And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever.
15 And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the Lord. And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision.
16 Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I.
17 And he said, What is the thing that the Lord hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee.
18 And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the Lord: let him do what seemeth him good.