1 Samuel 3 - Samuel Hears the Lord

God is gearing up to bring great change to His people.  The very nature of this Book of Samuel tells of this change, for it has been quite some time since the narrative has been so focused on one individual as well as all His people collectively.  Not since Moses and Joshua have we seen such a "big picture" perspective.  The era of the judges did see some remarkable individuals who were obviously being aided by God, but these individuals judged specific tribes, not all the Israelites collectively.  In fact, the judges era seemed to be one of fragmentation, along with a growing iniquity among the people.  There was a lack of unity, there was even civil war among the tribes, and time and again outside peoples came in and asserted their authority over certain tribes.  But then God calls Samuel, and it seems He has in mind a great shake-up of His people.  In the Acts of the Apostles, Saint Peter says, "And all the prophets, from Samuel and afterwards, that have spoken, have foretold of these days" (Acts 3:24).  Samuel holds a unique place, therefore, in Scripture.  After the covenants we read about in Genesis with Abraham and then in Exodus with Moses, there is a long period of relative silence on God's part.  Samuel seems to be the first great prophet to be called by God since the Israelites were still wandering in the desert.  Could it be a new covenant is about to be made?  It certainly seems like a great shift is about to occur.  Concurrently, we have the matter of Eli.  Again, between Joshua and Samuel, we didn't hear much about the official priesthood of Israel, the Levites.  Nor did we hear much about the Ark.  But in 1 Samuel these central things come back to the forefront.  Of course, what we see is a depraved priesthood represented by Hophni and Phinehas -- yet another reason for God at this point in time to intervene.  Eli, as High Priest, would have been a central figure at the very heart of all of Israel.  What happened concerning him would have been important to and had an impact on all the tribes.  So when we see in 1 Samuel 3 that God is planning to inflict great punishment on Eli and his progeny, we know great change is afoot.

Also, once again I couldn't help but draw parallels between Eli's story and today's current issues in the Church.  1 Samuel 3:13 reads, "For I have foretold unto him, that I will judge his house for ever, for iniquity, because he knew that his sons did wickedly, and did not chastise them."  Today's Church leaders would do well to go back and read Samuel and learn its lessons.  Judgement awaits those who could cast out the wicked among the priesthood but instead do nothing or very little.  It was Eli's undoing, and it will be the same for today's "high priests."