Available, Anointed and Affirmed -February 2,2012

Holy Spirit! Car wash

Many of you may not know my maiden name, Larry Ann Human. My sister was Lynn N. Human. After teaching Kindergarten for many years, I was required to complete the numerous papers for the cumulative folder which follows a child through their years in school. Parents should be aware to use the first name as the one you want your child to be called in school. Misspellings of the name also can follow a child for life. Like Adkins and Atkins or Reese for Reece. Well the point to my story is while preparing for the Seniors’ page in the annual, it was discovered that my first name was Larry, L-a-r-r-y. Yes, I was named after my dad, Lawrence. How cute! Until you get to high school and college, even better. Mail coming to the house for Larry Human included one from the Marines, who were going to make a man out of me! Tonight in 1 Samuel, Chapter 10:6   The Spirit of the LORD will come upon Saul and he will be changed into a different man.

Ladies, we too can be changed into a different person. Titus 3:5, 6 “He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior.”

Will you be available when God calls you?  Let us Pray

 Saul was Available-1 Samuel 9

Last week we learned that the people of Israel sought the Lord after 20 years of silence. 25 years later they rejected God as their King by asking for a visible earthly king so they could be like the other nations. We looked back in Genesis and remembered God’s promise that kings would come through Abraham and Jacob, specifically through the tribe of Judah. God was preparing a King in David, but David was not available yet. His people insisted on having a king now, so God gives in to the children of Israel, but He never gave up on them.

What do we know about Saul? His father was named Kish from the tribe of Benjamin. Judges 20 The tribe of Benjamin went to war against the other tribes. There were only 600 men left after the battle. Each family’s share was probably larger than the average Israelite. Saul's father was probably a wealthy landowner and farmer. Saul He was tall, dark and handsome a prince among men. He literally stood head and shoulders above the rest of the people. From the outward appearance he was a perfect choice for a king. But we know that God does not look on the outward appearance of the person but on the heart.

From the incident with his father's lost donkeys, we know Saul was obedient and respectful to his father. After three days, Saul was ready to turn back home so his father would not worry about him.

We do not get a sense from 1 Samuel that Saul was a spiritual or religious person. Neither Saul nor his father offer prayers for safety in travel or success in search. Samuel had assembled the people and elders of Israel at least 3 times, yet Saul did not know there was a prophet in the area or recognize him when they met. (1 Samuel 3: 20, 7:5, 8: 4)

9: 6 but the servant replied, “Look, in this town there is a man of God; he is highly respected, and everything he says comes true. Let’s go there now. Perhaps he will tell us what way to take.”  By the way verse 7 tells us the servant also supplied the offering for the prophet.

v. 13 Later some young girls point the way to Samuel. The fact that even these young girls know of Samuel and that the people cannot eat before Samuel blesses the sacrifice is very important in the story of Saul. We will hear more in the coming chapters.

¹⁴ They went up to the town, and as they were entering it, there was Samuel, coming toward them on his way up to the high place.

Do you think this is a coincidence? Of course not!  How odd of God to use lost donkeys for a divine appointment. Remember that when you meet strangers in the gas station or grocery line.

Are you available for the Holy Spirit to lead you through every day?

God had prepared Samuel for the meeting ¹⁶ “About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him leader over my people Israel; he will deliver my people from the hand of the Philistines. I have looked upon my people, for their cry has reached me.”

¹⁷ As Saul approached God said “This is the man I spoke to you about; he will govern my people.”

 ¹⁹ “I am the seer,” Samuel replied the donkeys you lost three days ago; they have been found. And to whom is all the desire of Israel turned, if not to you and all your father’s family?”

Saul is available, but is he ready to be king. V21 Saul answered, “But am I not a Benjamite, from the smallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why do you say such a thing to me?”

Isn’t that just the kind of thing God would do?

1 Corinthians 1:26-28 ²⁶ Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. ²⁷ But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. ²⁸ He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, ²⁹ so that no one may boast before him.

They have a meal together at the high place with 30 invited guests. Saul’s special portion had been set aside waiting for his arrival. Later Samuel and Saul talk on the roof, Saul and his servant spend the night. Early the next morning ²⁷ As they were going down to the edge of the town, Samuel said to Saul, “Tell the servant to go on ahead of us”—and the servant did so—“but you stay here awhile, so that I may give you a message from God.”

CARTOON call waiting

 Ladies this might be a good lesson for us to rise early and have some private time with God. Jesus rose early in the morning and went to a quiet place to pray? Are you Available? God is!

We need to be available to God before we can be anointed.

Saul is Anointed-1 Samuel 10

¹ Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on Saul’s head and kissed him, saying, “Has not the LORD anointed you leader over his inheritance?

This anointing of Saul was done in private by the prophet. Later Saul will be presented to the assembly at Mizpah.

Samuel offers Saul three signs to confirm his choice was from God.

GOD OFFERS PEACE  ² …today, you will meet two men near Rachel’s tomb. They will say to you, ‘The donkeys you set out to look for have been found

GOD OFFERS PROVISION  ³ (At) “…the great tree of Tabor. Three men going up to God at Bethel will …. One will be carrying three young goats, another three loaves of bread, and another a skin of wine. ⁴ They will greet you and offer you two loaves of bread, which you will accept from them.

GOD OFFERS POWER  ⁵ “…Gibeah of God, where there is a Philistine outpost. …, you will meet a procession of prophets coming down from the high place with lyres, tambourines, flutes and harps being played before them, and they will be prophesying. ⁶ The Spirit of the LORD will come upon you in power, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person.

“This was the real anointing. The oil was symbolic, but if the Spirit of the LORD did not come upon him, it would have meant nothing!”  Poole writes that the literal Hebrew for will come upon you is “will leap or rush upon thee, to wit, for a season.”  This anointing may be just for a limited time.

As Christians under the New Covenant, (1 John 2:20…you have an anointing from the Holy One). In the New Testament sense, anointing is being filled with and blessed by the Holy Spirit. If you have invited Christ into your life the Holy Spirit takes residence in you.

Quoting from Dwight L Moody, “The great trouble with many of us is that we are working for God without power. We are sons of God - no doubt about that - and daughters of God. We can "read our titles clear to mansions in the skies," but we are sons and daughters without power.”

1 Samuel 10:7 Once these signs are fulfilled, do whatever your hand finds to do, for God is with you.

Ladies, the LORD is with you through all the joy and trials of your life. Plug into power of the Holy Spirit and let your light shine for Christ in this dark world.

⁸ “Go down ahead of me to Gilgal. I will surely come down to you to sacrifice burnt offerings and fellowship offerings,^[b] but you must wait seven days until I come to you and tell you what you are to do.”

This is a verse I want you to remember! OBEDIENCE is what God demands. Later after Saul is King for many years, will he be obedient to the command to Wait?

10: 12 “What is this that has happened to the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?”

What a change in Saul! People who had known him could not believe he was prophesying.

While we are still flesh, and by no means perfect, but old friends should see a change in us! When Saul returns to his family he did not mention to his uncle that he was anointed king. Maybe Saul felt unworthy, overwhelmed with the responsibility or maybe he was waiting on God's timing.

Have you ever felt inadequate for the task God called you to do? I remember calling some CBS ladies in July of 2010. When they heard God had called me as the new TD, one friend laughed out loud. Another was stunned to silence, but none were more surprised as I was.

Will you be available when God calls you?

^17-19 Samuel summoned the people of Israel to the LORD at Mizpah. After a stern rebuttal for rejecting God who brought them into the Promised Land, tribes and clans presented themselves to the LORD. Lots were cast probably the Urim and Thummim.

10:20 Finally Saul son of Kish was chosen. But when they looked for him, he was not to be found. ²² So they inquired further of the LORD, “Has the man come here yet?”

   And the LORD said, “Yes, he has hidden himself among the baggage.”

What has God called you to do? Are you hiding among you stuff?

Where are you hiding? Behind your job, among your family, in your church

Why are you hiding? Fear of failure, holding on to your time, BUSY, already served my turn, comfortable right where I am.

Will you be available when God calls you?  Remember these verses when you are called.

1 Thessalonians 5:24 “The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.”

Philippians 2:13"For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose."
Philippians 4:13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
God will equip those He calls with ability, time, and resources.

Saul is Affirmed as King-1 Samuel 11

V1-Nahash the Ammonite threatened to mutilate and disgrace God’s people. V 6-8 The Spirit of the Lord came upon Saul and sent messengers to frighten the men of Israel into fighting. 330,000 men of Israel were united to defeat the Ammonites. V.14 

•      Silent before Mockers 10:27

•      Returns to Farming 11:4

•      Powerful in the Spirit 11:6

•      Displayed righteous Anger 11:6

•      Unites of Israel’s forces, defeated Ammonites 11:11

•      Confirmed as King 11:15

¹⁴ Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and there reaffirm the kingship.” ¹⁵ So all the people went to Gilgal and confirmed Saul as king in the presence of the LORD.

Oswald Chambers- To fulfill God’s perfect design for you requires your total surrender - complete abandonment of yourself to Him.”

An old man once said that it took him forty years to learn three simple things.

1.     He could not do anything to save himself;

2.     God did not expect him to;

3.     Christ had done it all, and all he had to do was to accept the accomplished fact.

When it comes to Holy-Spirit filled living and the grace of God, always keep this little saying in your hearts and minds:

You can’t. God never said you could.
He can; He always said he would!  Copyright © 2005, Quick Verse

Will you choose to be available when God calls you?

Let us close in Prayer

1 Samuel 7-8 Januray 25, 2012

Good Evening Ladies, let's pray. Don’t you enjoy talking to the LORD! My friend Sandy says it is a privilege and an honor to bring your petitions before the throne of God. And it is so easy just talk to Him, after all He is your “Abba Father.”

  Mark 1:35  Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.

We are told Jesus prayed no less than nineteen times in the Gospels. John 17 is Jesus’ longest prayer.  But why did Jesus pray? He could raise the dead, heal the lame and the blind! Why would He need to pray? Although fully God, He was also fully human. His prayers not only taught His disciples and us the importance of prayer, but it also shows His intimate conversations with His Father and His complete dependence on God. How can we be too busy to pray? We shouldn’t make a decision or utter a word from our mouth without His guidance.

I wish I could say to you that I do that all the time. You’ve heard me apologize enough to know that is not true. That is the desire of my heart to be in constant communication with my LORD.

Andrew Murray “Prayer is not monologue, but dialogue; God’s voice is its most essential part. Listening to God’s voice is the secret of the assurance that He will listen to mine.”

Oswald Chambers “It is only when we know that we are powerless that we are prepared to listen to Jesus Christ and to do what He says.”

Tonight Samuel with intercede for the children of Israel as they seek help from God.

 God is Faithful Even When His Children are Not
Israel Seeks the LORD-ch. 7
Israel Rejects the LORD-ch. 8

The Philistines didn’t possess the ark any longer, but the LORD was not with Israel. The Philistines had destroyed Shiloh.
 Ch.1  v. 2  all the people of Israel mourned and sought after the LORD. ³ And Samuel said to the whole house of Israel, "If you are returning to the LORD with all your hearts, then  rid yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths and  commit yourselves to the LORD and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.”  ⁴ So the Israelites put away their Baals and Ashtoreths, and served the LORD only. ⁵ Then Samuel said, “Assemble all Israel at Mizpah and I will intercede with the LORD for you.” The meaning of Mizpah seems to be "watchtower." 

First mention of Mizpah  Genesis 31:49 when Jacob and Laban part company.

Normally we think this is a blessing “May the LORD keep watch between you and me when we are away from each other.”  (Actually it was a warning that if Jacob mistreated Laban’s daughters of took other wives, God would be His witness.) Mizpah is a key location for Israel. In Judges, Jephthah repeated his vow to the Lord here, Israel made an oath at Mizpah. Samuel will again assemble the people here again in Ch. 10

⁶ When they had assembled at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the LORD. On that day they fasted and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the LORD”

Pouring out water

·        Clarks’s "And they poured out their hearts in deep penitence and sorrow, as Waters, before the Lord."

·        The same desire is voice by Hannah in 1 Samuel 1:15; I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit; I have Poured Out my soul before the Lord. 

·        David also in Psalm 22:14, I am Poured Out like Water

·        Wesley's Notes 7:6 to cleanse themselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit.

In fear of the Philistines the people beg Samuel to pray; to be their intercessor.

⁸ … “Do not stop crying out to the LORD our God for us, that he may rescue us from the hand of the Philistines.” ⁹ …”Samuel” cried out to the LORD on Israel’s behalf, and the LORD answered him. ¹⁰ While Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to engage Israel in battle. But that day the LORD thundered with loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into such a panic that they were routed before the Israelites.

Once again God win the battle for His people.

 God is Faithful Even When His Children are Not

Listen to the prophetic words of Hannah’s Prayer to the LORD 1 Samuel 2:9-11

⁹ He will guard the feet of his saints, but the wicked will be silenced in darkness.

 “It is not by strength that one prevails;¹⁰ those who oppose the LORD will be shattered. He will thunder against them from heaven; the LORD will judge the ends of the earth.

“He will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed.”

 ^{8- 12} Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far has the LORD helped us.”

        KJV Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.

Does this remind you of the stones that Joshua piled up in various places to signify victories and memorials to God; especially the 12 stones taken from the middle of the Jordan?

Pondering the word Ebenezer, I found a Christian Blog on the web called “AnotherThink.”

 “Samuel placed a large stone at the place where this restoration began. He publicly dedicated it as a monument to God's help, God's faithfulness, and God’s eternal covenant. And as the people got on with their lives, the stone stood there, visible to all who passed that way, a reminder of judgment and repentance, mercy and restoration.”

The song from the hymnal tonight was composed by the Methodist pastor and hymnist Robert Robinson. Robinson penned the words at age 22 in the year 1757. The Second Verse is one of my favorites..  

Here I raise mine Ebenezer; hither by thy help I’m come;

and I hope, by thy good pleasure, safely to arrive at home.

Jesus sought me when a stranger, wandering from the fold of God;

He, to rescue me from danger, Interposed his precious blood. 
(public domain)

Dr. Gregory Neal “Spiritually and theologically speaking, an Ebenezer can be nearly anything that reminds us of God’s presence and help: the Bible, the Sacramental Elements, a cross, a picture, a fellow believer, a hymn – those things which serve as reminders of God’s love, God’s Real Presence, and God’s assistance are "Ebenezers."
 

We’ve all wandered from the fold of God at one time or another. Our Ebenezer can be as simple as a prayer journal where we have unburdened our heart before the LORD.  We can also record answers to prayers. What a legacy we can leave our children when we teach them to pray and to leave them our journals indicating we prayed for them through their teen years and the early years of their marriage.  We all need a constant reminder so we don’t forget God’s infinite mercy and His boundless grace He has poured out on us.  What is your Ebenezer?  Find somewhere in your home or your car to display a visual prompt. Something to Daily remind us we need worship and praise him; to pour out our heart to Him, to empty ourselves of our desires and our needs. Ladies, after He rescued us with His Precious Blood we never have to fear; we will Safely Arrive at home, in heaven with our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ.

 God is Faithful Even If  We are Not

Israel Rejects the LORD Samuel 8

In the last verses of Chapter 7 ¹⁵ Samuel continued as judge over Israel all the days of his life. ¹⁶ From year to year he went on a circuit from Bethel to Gilgal to Mizpah, judging Israel in all those places. ¹⁷ But he always went back to Ramah, where his home was, and there he also judged Israel. And he built an altar there to the LORD.
 

Probably 20-25 years pass between Chapter 7 and Chapter 8. Now Samuel is an old man. He appoints his sons to be judges and they turn out to be as wicked as Eli’s sons.  I want to make an excuse for Samuel he seems to be as bad a parent as Eli. BUT ladies we are not responsible for the actions of our children. If we have raised them to know the Bible and LORD Jesus as their Savior, it is their responsibility to accept or reject His love.

⁴ So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah. ⁵ They said to him, “You are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.”

Samuel was displeased with their request,

But God is Faithful Even When Israel Was Not 

God is not surprised by Israel asking for a King, in fact throughout the Bible we have evidence that God has planned for a King to reign.

God’s promises to Abraham Genesis 17:6  I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you.

Sarah ¹⁶ I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her.”

Jacob Genesis 35:11 And God said to him, “I am God Almighty; be fruitful and increase in number. A nation and a community of nations will come from you, and kings will come from your body.

⁷ And the LORD told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. ⁸ As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. ⁹ Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will do.” 

God is Faithful Even When We are Not

It wasn’t Israel greatest sin to ask for a King, their sin was to demand one now. Just as God was preparing Samuel in Hannah’s womb to replace Eli as priest; He had already chosen His King to be David from the tribe of Judah.

 God would use Saul to chastise his people.

Hosea 13:11 So in my anger I gave you a king, and in my wrath I took him away.

^{1 Samuel 2:9} … warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will do.”

Weirsbe “The key word in Samuels speech is the word TAKE, not give. vv.11-17

·        He will take your sons and make them serve in the army

·        others to plow his ground and reap his harvest,

·        others to make weapons of war and equipment for his chariots.

·        He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers.

·        He will take the best of your fields crops, grain, and wine to feed his officials and servants

·        Your servants, the best of your cattle, donkey, and flocks he will take for his own use.

·        You, yourselves will become his slaves.

¹⁸ When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, and the LORD will not answer you in that day.”

 ¹⁹ ...“No!” they said. “We want a king over us. ²⁰ Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.”

²² The LORD answered, “Listen to them and give them a king.”

JV McGee “God will grant Israel's desire for King but it will not be to their advantage.  God's guidance of the nation will be indirectly through the prophet. As we shall see God will not speak directly to the king, but still through the prophet who will convey God’s word to the king. The king will accept it or reject as he chooses”

The demands Samuel made Ch.7 v.3 reminds me of this scripture from

2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV) ¹⁴If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

In our nation today, it is hard for many to follow an invisible God; to take in FAITH all that the LORD has done for us and promised us. Like Israel we want be like all the other nations, a visible leader. In our churches do we strive to look like the world and sound like the world.

In America needs to humble ourselves and pray and seek God’s face. If Jesus prayed to His Father, isn’t it emphatic that we fervently and specifically pray for our nation.

God is Faithful Even When We are Not

Coming up in February are the birthdays of President Washington and President Lincoln. Lincoln is one of my favorite presidents to quote.
 

"...I know that the Lord is always on the side of the right. But it is my constant anxiety and prayer that I and this nation should be on the Lord's side." 

"I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom and that of all about me seemed insufficient for that day."

Just as Samuel was intercessor for the children of Israel, we too have an intercessor before the throne of God. Jesus Christ stands at the right hand of His Father’s throne and intercedes for us every day and night. O What A Savior!

Will you choose tonight to be faithful in praying to God, your Father?

 Let us pray.

1 Samuel 3-6 January 19, 2012

Welcome

Photo-Noise, water, and air pollution affect everyone

 What we do matters to those around us!

Cartoon- Our actions have an effect on those around us.

This cartoon illustrates fumes of cars and cigars as having second hand smoke. Foul language in a public event, littering affects others. Our bad attitudes can even rub off on others. Have you noticed at the hospital warnings that strong perfume may affect patients’ health? What about postings to silence cell phones-in the airport, at the doctor’s office, even at the drive thru? Do you care about others’ comfort?

 Our actions to others in CBS are so much more important. Some offenses mentioned to the Servant’s Team have been heavy cologne, texting during core time and lecture, cell phones’ ringing, and arriving late for class. If you have a Bible on your cell phone, do others know what you are doing?

1 Corinthians 8:9 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.

Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord,

Remember your actions at CBS affect someone else.

LESSON 16- 1 SAMUEL 3-6

            GOD REWARDS FAITHFULNESS-1 Samuel 3

            GOD JUDGEMENT ON ELI AND HIS SONS IN Fulfilled -1 Samuel 4

            GOD’S JUDGEMENT ON THE PHILISTINES AND Beth-Shemesh 1 Samuel 5-6

TEMPLE at Shiloh- Eli and Samuel would probably have slept in the temple. Samuel near the lampstand.

God Rewards Faithfulness 1 Samuel 3

·        Attentive ear-1-8

·        Obedient Will 9-12

·         Humble heart  13-21

V1 Under the direction and instruction of Eli, Samuel was capable of, such duties as opening and closing the doors, lighting the lamps, singing the praises of God, (Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible) We usually think of the child Samuel at the age of 3-6 years. But now certainly was older if he tended the lamps in the temple. According to Josephus, Samuel was now about twelve years of age:

We know from Numbers 8:24,25 “the Levites: 25 year old to serve; at fifty, they must retire from their regular service and work no longer. Eli was too old and could not see and should have stepped down when his son became priests. His blindness was prophesied by the man of God in Ch.2

3 In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions.

The silence of God was the judgment for disobedience. There are other times when God was silent. Eli nor his sons had heard from the LORD. When the LORD cannot find an obedient adult, He sometimes calls a child. WW.

Samuel had an Attentive ear

Samuel must have been in charge of the Lamp of God. It would look like a Menorah. Numbers 3: ^31-36 Lampstand had six branches, three from one side and three from the other; put three cups on one branch, three on the next the entire Lampstand fashioned from one piece of hammered pure gold.  ^37-38 "Make seven of these lamps for the Table. Arrange the lamps so they throw their light out in front. Make the candle snuffers and trays out of pure gold.  ^39-40 "Use a seventy-five-pound brick of pure gold to make the Lampstand.

The lamp and light are symbolic of God’s Truth. The central candle must not go out.

⁴ Then the LORD called Samuel.  Samuel answered, “Here I am.” ⁵ And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down. ⁶ Again 
⁷ Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD: The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him.  ⁸ The LORD called Samuel a third time, and Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”

   Then Eli realized that the LORD was calling the boy. ⁹ So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

Obedient Will -9-12 Samuel did not understand that the voice he heard was from the LORD. But surely he must have heard the scriptures at his mother knee or read the scriptures to Eli as he grew blind. Nonetheless, he was obedient to Eli’s request; to go lie down and listen for the LORD’s voice. Samuel’s area of knowledge did not include a direct contact from the LORD. After the third time Eli must have discerned that God was speaking to Samuel. It must have confirmed to Eli that the LORD was indeed finished with Eli as a priest and was using Samuel to receive a message from God.

 ¹⁰ The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”
   Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
 Can you imagine how Samuel must have felt for the LORD to come and stand and call his name twice. How marvelous that the LORD God of the Universe knows Samuel by name.
Ladies, God has written your name in His book of life when you accepted Christ as your LORD and Savior. He knows your name. Will you be still before the LORD (cut off you cell phones and computer and TV and radio) and wait for the LORD to call your name. How often do we have a quiet minute much less a quiet time to listen for the LORD to speak to our hearts, to speak to us through his Word, through his Holy Spirit. Sometimes even in church “and yes in CBS” we can get distracted by the person in front of us or beside us. Many times I will close my eyes when I am listening to a beautiful song or scripture being read or the pastor speaking the WORD. To enjoy an intimate relationship with the God who created you, the One who redeemed you. He must have your undivided attention.
Samuel has Humble heart 13-21
¹³ For I told (Eli) that I would judge his family forever because of the sin he knew about; his sons made themselves contemptible, and he failed to restrain them. ¹⁴ Therefore, I swore to the house of Eli, ‘The guilt of Eli’s house will never be atoned for by sacrifice or offering.’”

It must have been difficult for Samuel to receive the stern judgment on Eli and his sons. Surely Samuel had grown to love Eli. Probably he had a hard time sleeping after he heard. Not only was Samuel attentive and obedient to the LORD’s call but he was humble of heart. He went about his regular chores dreading the time he must reveal to Eli what God had told him. This is the second time Eli has heard this warning from the LORD.

Eli did not act surprised by the words, in resignation says, “He is the LORD; let him do what is good in his eyes.”

1 Samuel 3 ¹⁹ The LORD was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of his words fall to the ground. ²⁰ And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognized that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the LORD.

Willful disobedience brings consequences on others besides Eli and his sons.

GOD JUDGEMENT ON ELI AND HIS SONS -1 Samuel 4

The Philistine army had been a nuisance to the Israelites the days of Samson in the book of Judges. Due to poor spiritual guidance and the disobedience of the people, the LORD was not with them. The Philistines easily killed 4,000 men. Unbelievable! “Why did the Lord bring defeat upon us today before the Philistines?”

⁴ So the people sent men to Shiloh, brought back the ark of the covenant of the LORD Almighty, who is enthroned between the cherubim. Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, carried the ark of the covenant of God.  They surely had the wrong priests to carry the ark.
All Israel raised such a great shout that the ground shook. The Philistines were afraid for they had heard of plight of the Egyptians. But God was not with them Israel.
 ¹⁰ The Philistines defeated Israel killing thirty thousand foot soldiers. ¹¹ The ark of God was captured, and Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, died.
Two wrongs do not make a right. The ark was not a magic object to be paraded into battle. They did not consult the LORD.
How many times have we tried to second guess God and do something for Him that HE did not ask for and He did not bless? We must be very careful when we assume to speak for God. Study His Word and be silent before Him. Give Him the honor and tribute He deserves.
17 A man ran into Shiloh announced the heavy losses and told Eli “Hophni and Phineas are dead and the ark of God has been captured.”
 ¹⁸ When he mentioned the ark of God, Eli, 98 and blind, fell backward off his chair by the side of the gate. Broke his neck died, for he was an old man and heavy. He had led Israel forty years.
 ¹⁹ His daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas, went into labor and gave birth to a son.
 ²¹ She named the boy Ichabod,²² She said, “The glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured.”
Willful disobedience can affect those you love.

GOD’S JUDGEMENT ON THE PHILISTINES AND Beth-Shemesh 1 Samuel 5

Philistines took the ark of God it to Ashdod set it beside Dagon( merman fish god. Early the next day, there was Dagon, his face on the ground before the ark of the LORD! They took Dagon and put him back in his place- Because an idol cannot move itself. How can something man has made with his hands have any power? ⁴ the following morning when they rose, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the LORD! His head and hands had been broken off.  ⁶ The LORD struck people of Ashdod afflicted them with tumors.    Now tell me God does not have a sense of humor.  He can control the tides, He can protect His Ark.

Map Shiloh to battle in Aphek, Philistine cities of Ashdod, Gath, Ekron and Beth Shemesh
So they sent it to Gath where God afflicted the people of the city, both young and old, with an outbreak of tumors. ¹⁰ So they sent the ark to Ekron ¹¹ they called all the rulers of the Philistines and said, “Send the ark of the god of Israel away; let it go back to its own place, or it will kill us and our people.” For death had filled the city with panic; God’s hand was very heavy upon it. ¹² Those who did not die were afflicted with tumors,
 Seven months the Philistines were punished with the presence of the ark; so long it was a plague to them, because they would not send it home sooner. Note: Sinners lengthen out their own miseries by obstinately refusing to part with their sins. Matthew Henry
Willful disobedience has severe consequence for everyone.

1 Samuel 6 The Ark Returned to Israel

After 7 months the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners “Tell us how we should send it back.” Send a guilt offering to Him. 5 gold tumors;  5 gold rats to the number of Philistine rulers.

These pagans believed in the power of  Israel’s God and they had more respect for God than his own people. They remembered what happened in Egypt?

They built a new cart hooked up 2 milk cows, penned up their calves. The loaded the cart with the ARK and the gold offerings and turned them loose. If the cows went back to their calves, then it was just chance they said. But those cows went straight to Beth Shemesh not turning to the left or the right.
 So joyous were the people of Beth Shemesh that The people chopped up the wood of the cart and sacrificed the cows as a burnt offering to the LORD. ¹⁵ The Levites took down the ark of the LORD, together with the chest containing the gold objects, and placed them on the large rock.
Proper movement of the ark     ¹⁹ But God struck down 70 of the men of Beth Shemesh, because they had looked into the ark of the LORD.
It took a tragedy for Israel to develop a new awareness of God’s power.

“Who can stand in the presence of the LORD, this holy God? To whom will the ark go up from here?”
God’s judgment was against the men of Beth Shemesh for their carelessness and failure to respect the symbol of the Living God. God departs from their presence. The Ark of the Covenant now goes to the hill country of Judah.

·        Just a few broken rules

·        Ark should be covered at all times Exodus 39

·        It is to be carried on poles Exodus 40

·        Only priests allowed to see it once a year Leviticus 16:2

·        Don't go near it. Stay back 1000 yards Joshua 3:4

·        Offering given by priests at Shiloh

·        Only unblemished male animals acceptable

Psalm 51
¹⁶ You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
   you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
¹⁷ The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
   a broken and contrite heart,
   O God, you will not despise.
God does not want our rituals and ceremony. God wants your heart. The place is not important as long as God is worshiped and obeyed. It is important to honor God every day, no matter where you are-on the job, in the car, or at home. Worship the Father in spirit and in truth and teach your children well.

2 Timothy 2:15 (NLT) Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed

Will you choose to show love to those around you by obeying God?