Lesson 200 - Senior
Memory Verse
"Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name" (Psalm 91:14).
Cross References
I Song of Thanksgiving
1. Hannah's prayer was a song of praise and thanksgiving to God, [1SM:2:1-5]; [1SM:1:6], [1SM:1:20]; [PS:113:9]; [ISA:54:1].
2. Hannah prayed prophetically of the future mercies of God to the world, [1SM:2:6-9]; [PS:75:4-7]; [PS:113:7-8]; [LUK:1:52].
3. Hannah foretold the coming of a Saviour, [1SM:2:10]; [PS:89:19-29]; [LUK:1:46-55], [LUK:1:67-75].
II Call of God
1. There was no open vision of God in the days of Eli's priesthood, [1SM:3:1]; [AMO:8:11]; [EZE:7:26]; [PRO:29:18].
2. Eli's natural eyesight was so dim that he could not see that the lamp of God was about to go out, [1SM:3:2-3]; [1SM:4:15]; [EXO:27:20-21]; [LEV:24:2-3]; [2CH:13:11].
3. Eli's spiritual eyesight was seriously impaired by his tolerance of sin, [1SM:3:2], [1SM:3:13]; [1SM:2:12-17], [1SM:2:27-36]; [1KG:1:6]; [LEV:10:1-3]; [EXO:19:20].
4. Eli did not at first realise that God was calling Samuel, [1SM:3:4-9]; [MAT:6:22-23]; [1SM:15:14]; [JER:5:21-24]; [ROM:2:1-4], [ROM:2:17-24].
5. Samuel, because of his youth and spiritual immaturity, did not realise that God was calling him, [1SM:3:7]; [ACT:18:24-26]; [ACT:19:23]; [JHN:20:14]; [JHN:21:4-7].
6. Eli at last perceived God was calling Samuel, and instructed him to answer God, [1SM:3:8-10]; [PS:85:8]; [ISA:6:8]; [DAN:10:19]; [ACT:9:5-6].
III Prophet of God
1. God told Samuel of the judgement that would come upon Eli and his house, [1SM:3:11-14]; [ISA:29:13-16]; [AMO:3:1-8]; [HAB:1:5].
2. Eli persuaded Samuel to tell him God's message, [1SM:3:16]; [PS:141:5]; [DAN:4:19].
3. God was with Samuel, and the Lord appeared again in Shiloh, [1SM:3:19-21]; [1SM:4:1]; [1SM:9:6]; [ISA:44:26].
Notes
Song of Praise
The story of Hannah's prayer and consecration to God that He might grant her a son is beautiful and touching. Hannah was given a son in answer to her prayers -" a son who was destined to be one of the greatest of prophets and a man whose exemplary life would be an inspiration for all. What a fitting climax to such a story is her prayer of praise and thanksgiving unto God! To praise Him in song and prayer is a beautiful manifestation of a heart full of gratitude because of God's love and mercy.
Hannah did not undervalue the preciousness of the gift she received from God. Neither was she ignorant of the utter impossibility of ever having a son unless God gave her the desires of her heart; for "Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD" (Psalm 127:3). Nevertheless, Hannah lost none of her regard for the Lord in favour of her son. On the contrary, her love and regard for the Lord was deepened because of His great goodness and mercy to her. Hannah knew from personal experience that "every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning" (James 1:17).
Too often God is important with people only when they are in great trouble or sorrow, or when adverse circumstances come upon them. When adversity is gone, or they have their petition from God, He is forgotten or relegated to a very minor position in their affections. Not so with Hannah, because she burst forth in a song of prayer and praise to God that sprang spontaneously from her heart.
Her song of praise began with a theme of thankfulness to God for His goodness to her, and then rapidly developed into a much deeper and more significant subject -" Jesus Christ, God's Anointed, and our coming King.
Hannah, inspired of the Holy Ghost, spoke of Jesus Christ through whom all the nations of the earth would be blessed; spoke prophetically of the sinners who would be exalted to a place of honour through the same mercy that had been extended to her. The beggar would be lifted up to sit among princes and to inherit the throne of glory, while the adversaries of the Lord would be broken to pieces, when Jesus came to be the ruling King of all the earth. Such was Hannah's song of praise, a beautiful prophecy of Jesus Christ who shall reign in peace and judgement.
There are several other passages in the Bible that are similar in their inspiration and development into prophecies of Christ. The Song of Moses speaks of "Christ as "the Rock," as did Hannah ([1SM:2:2]). (See [DEU:32:15], [DEU:32:18]. Likewise the Holy Spirit, through Mary, the mother of Jesus, applied Hannah's theme that the mighty would be brought low, and those of low estate would be exalted -" this through the Son who would be born in a miraculous manner. (See [LUK:1:52].)
Indulgent Parent
According to Hannah's promise to the Lord, the child Samuel began his service to God in the Tabernacle, under the guidance of Eli, the high priest. The high priest was responsible for the spiritual welfare of God's people and for the proper administration of the worship of God. How miserably Eli failed of his duty and responsibility!
The New Testament states the requirements of a bishop: "One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (for if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)" (I Timothy 3:4, 5). "Now the sons of Eli were men of Belial; they knew not the LORD" (I Samuel 2:12). They were very sinful men, and because of their wickedness "men abhorred the offering of the LORD" (I Samuel 2:17).
Eli, as an indulgent father, remonstrated with his sons once about their promiscuous sinning, and did no more about it. His refusal to take any corrective measures other than a mild rebuke was a sin against his own soul and those of his children. The evil that has been brought into the world through parents who are so unconcerned about their children's welfare that they refuse to discipline them can hardly be overestimated. The tolerance of sin is a fire that shall burn men's bones, and shall condemn all participants of sin into a lake of everlasting fire.
Great as Eli's sin was in tolerating his sons' wickedness in his own house, an even greater evil was committed in that he permitted his sons to bring great dishonour upon the house of God. They were helping in the administration of the Tabernacle worship, and in that work they became a stumbling block to all who desired to worship God.
The worship of God has always demanded holiness. More is required of those who are directly concerned in the service of the ministry. The tenet of abstinence from all sin and immorality has always distinguished the Gospel of Jesus Christ from all other religions and philosophies. Even so, Eli, whose official duty was that of guardian of the faith, was so indifferent to God's cause of holiness and purity that he did little to stop sin, either in his own house, or in the house of God.
Judgement of God
God's word is not to be taken lightly, but Eli dared to affront the holiness of God; and the anger of God began to smoke against him. (See [DEU:29:19-20].) "Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves!" (Ezekiel 34:2) was the word of the Lord to Ezekiel. These words fit Eli's case also. Eli was soon to be removed; his posterity was to be destroyed; and no more would his family serve in the worship of God. Such was Eli's reward for his tolerance of sin.
Eli's sin so blinded him to all real truth that he was no longer able to see things in their proper perspective. He was of that number of whom Jesus once spoke, who could se the mote that was in another's eye, but could not see the beam that was in his own ([LUK:6:39-42]). Eli went so far as even to accuse Samuel's mother of being intoxicated while in the house of God, while in actuality she was deep in prayer to God. At the same time Eli's sons were destroying the worship of God by their unrestricted wickedness.
Dimming Light
Eli's eyes began to wax dim so that he could no longer see that the lamp of God was about to go out for lack of proper care. How emblematic this lamp was of the worship of God! It represented God's Word, illuminated by the Holy Spirit. And now it was fast going out! The Scripture says of this period of Israel's history that "the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision" (I Samuel 3:1). In other words, the truth of God's Word was gone from men's hearts, and God was hindered from revealing Himself to men because of their sinfulness. It was at this crucial hour that God spoke in the night to Samuel.
"Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors" (Proverbs 8:34). Such were the duties of Samuel in the Tabernacle. Samuel served God daily in His house, with an open heart, and with his ear tuned to spiritual things. When God spoke to him in the middle of the night, Samuel was quick to answer.
Not immediately realising that God was speaking to him, Samuel went to Eli. Eli seemed to have lost the ability to recognise the voice of God, for he sent Samuel back to his rest. Three times God called Samuel, and three times Eli sent Samuel back to his rest. The third time Eli did perceive that God was calling Samuel, and advised him to answer, if he was called again, for it would be the Lord. God did call Samuel again, and he answered Him with those beautiful words, "Speak; for thy servant heareth." Thus God called Samuel to the service and commission of God. He was still very much a youth, but he had an ear to hear, and a heart to do the bidding of the Lord.
Faithful Stewardship
"Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful" (I Corinthians 4:2). Let all who are growing old in the service and worship of God retain with enthusiasm their portion and responsibility in it. Because we have aged bodies does not imply that our service to God has become outdated or of no further usefulness. The Bible says, "The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day" (Proverbs 4:18). Also, "The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness" (Proverbs 16:31).
A ripe maturity of faith and confidence toward God that has been accumulated through many years of faithful service to God is an achievement that every younger person can admire and strive for.
Open Vision
Let all who are young learn of the boy Samuel. Would that all would answer the call of God as readily as did Samuel, and with the same consecration and zeal in their answer! He was a man much used of God, and the Bible says of him, "All Israel from Dan even to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of t he LORD." The Lord "did let none of his words fall to the ground" (I Samuel 3:19, 20).
Samuel's life was useful and profitable in every respect. It was a beautiful life because he listened to God in his youth, and took good heed to what he heard. Surely God's Word is true: "My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: for length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: so shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man" (Proverbs 3:1-4).
Questions
1. What was the occasion of Hannah's prayer?
2. In what manner did she speak of Jesus Christ?
3. What is meant by "no open vision"?
4. Why was Eli rejected of the Lord?
5. Of what was the lamp of God typical?
6. Why is a man required to be a faithful steward?
7. What is the benefit of serving God while young?