1 Samuel 3:1-14 | Food for Thought

 

1 Samuel 3:1-14

Food for Thought:

  • Don’t confuse quiet with uncaring. Prophetic words and visions from the Lord weren’t common in these days, and yet the presence of God remained among his people. He was watching, hearing, and preparing to unfold the next part of his plan among God’s people. He had already spoken through an anonymous “man of God” to Eli directly, and was likely ministering to his own people through imperfect means in small, subtle ways that aren’t recorded in Scripture. God was up to something, even though he was quiet.

    • How do you interpret “quiet” days, weeks, and seasons with the Lord? Does “quiet” from the Lord symbolize anything for you?
      >> Do you feel as though God isn’t nearby? …isn’t concerned with you? …thinks the way everything’s going is fine?

    • Do you live in expectation that he wants to speak, will speak, and/or is speaking in ways that we might miss or simply not be a part of?

    • How does Samuel’s willingness to remain in the quiet presence of the Lord - day after day, night after night - paint a picture of what our posture of heart should be?

    • Is God worth our effort to keep ourselves close to the way he’s made himself present in our lives - even if he’s quiet?

  • Discerning God’s voice. Young Samuel heard the Lord’s voice, but he misinterpreted it as Eli’s. It was only after a few times of mistaking God for Eli that Eli himself suggests it’s the Lord who’s persistently calling for him.

    • Take a minute and consider all of the voices that your mind hears and captures throughout any given day or week. Whose are they? What do they say? Where do they point?

    • The Lord can speak through a variety of things: first and foremost, his Word. Also, his Spirit and his people. How can you tell when it’s the Lord speaking, and not someone else?
      >> What are the telltale signs of God’s voice? …of counterfeit voices?

    • Many things - books, people, leaders… our interpretation of Scripture we just read! - might claim to be “Christian,” “biblical,” or “from the Lord.” Why shouldn’t we assume that’s the case, though? What questions should we ask?

    • The Lord chose to speak to young Samuel instead of Eli, the priest. What does this say about how God can and does talk to?
      >> …and who we should be willing to listen to?

 
1 SamuelScott O'Donohoe