There are some characters in the Bible who seem to stand out more than others. Take Elijah for example, there was a man who called fire from heaven, who confronted wicked kings and who did amazing feats in God’s name. Moses was a great man. He also did miraculous feats through the power of God and rescued the Jewish people from Egypt. We can’t help but be impressed by great feats. Even in our own era we tend to celebrate the extraordinary achievements that people accomplish, as if their whole life was climaxed at that one moment. And I suppose that having made people heroes for an extraordinary achievement it makes it difficult to hear that the rest of their lives were less impressive.
I can remember seeing the movie Schindler’s list and learning of the sacrifices that Oskar Schindler made to protect 1200 Jews from being exterminated in concentration camps during WW II. He spent millions and died penniless. And we would be right to look at a man like that and think he was great. But what we don’t like to hear is that he had many moral flaws, excessive drinking to the point of alcoholism and his many long term affairs with several women.
It seems that even great men of the Bible reveal moral flaws which cast a shadow on their greatness: David with his affair with Bathsheba and conspiring to kill her husband, Noah’s drunkenness as one of the first things he did getting off the ark, Jacob’s scheming and deception. And while we may rightly call these biblical characters great, it seems that their greatness was limited to great moments or great acts.
But there is one person in the Bible who is not portrayed in this way. Samuel is a man considered as one of the greatest of Old Testament characters. In Jeremiah 15:1 God places Samuel alongside Moses. But the startling thing about Samuel is that he isn’t really known for great feats of miraculous power. What we find with Samuel is a life that was lived entirely consistent and faithful in his devotion to God. Samuel seems to have lived a life of unbroken purity, integrity and righteousness. His dedication to serve the Lord seems to have run through all of his years with no moral lapses or failures. In his old age he is able to say in front of the nation of Israel “I am old and gray... I have been your leader from my youth until this day. Here I stand. Testify against me in the presence of the LORD and his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe to make me shut my eyes? If I have done any of these things, I will make it right.” And we are told that the people replied by saying, “You have not cheated or oppressed us,” ... “You have not taken anything from anyone’s hand.”
Samuel was a great man because he walked his whole life faithfully before God. There is something very attractive about that kind of life from a leader. Especially when you contrast Samuel’s example with that of some of the leadership we’ve seen in our lifetime. Can you imagine any of our Prime Ministers standing up after their terms of office and being able to call out to the nation for anyone to come forward with any accusation of cheating, oppression or bribes?
When I was younger I suppose I would have wanted to do great feats like Elijah, but the older I get the more I want my life to be one of consistency in its faithfulness to God and I suspect I am not alone. So I thought we would be well served to look at the life of this man.
The story of the life of Samuel is mostly found in the book of 1st Samuel and can be divided into three main eras of his life. From 1:1 – 3:21 it discusses Samuel as a boy this is the section we will look at today. In 4:1 – 7:17 it tells of Samuel in the prime of his life and calling as a judge and prophet to the nation of Israel we’ll look at this next week. And then in 8:1 – to his death recorded in 25:1 we read of Samuel as an old man which we will look at in week three.
But today we are looking at Samuel as a boy. First, I’d like to give a bit of background. Samuel was born in the times known as the era of the judges. Israel was stuck in a habitual pattern of rebellion against God, which resulted in God allowing them to be oppressed by enemies, which caused the people to cry out to God, to which God would provide a judge to help deliver them from their oppression. Usually for the lifetime of the judge, things would go well. But once the judge died the people would grow comfortable, and take their blessings for granted, they would forget God and rebel against him and so the cycle would continue. The book of Judges repeats this woeful chain of events several times and summarizes the moral condition of the nation in this way, “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.”
It was a time of great moral relativity. There were no absolutes to govern people’s behaviour everyone followed what they thought was right in their own eyes. And we are told in I Samuel 3:1 “In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions.” God seemed silent. Perhaps because he had been pushed out of people’s lives and so, always the gentleman he accommodated their request; but perhaps also because there was no one to hear and fewer still who would say anything.
We live in similar times today don’t we? Moral relativism is assumed by most. There are laws which make certain things illegal, but no moral absolutes that make them wrong. And so because so many of the laws seem to have no moral foundation upon which they are based we are beginning to see all kinds of laws being questioned and challenged as to why they are illegal. Why can’t a man have more than one wife? Why can’t a brother marry his sister if he loves her? Why shouldn’t a man be able to purchase a willing female to satisfy his sexual appetite? Why can’t people enjoy mind altering drugs? Why should old people or sick people continue to live if they don’t want to? Don’t they have the right to do with their own lives what they want? And the list continues to grow as moral relativism gathers momentum.
These were the times into which Samuel was born. Samuel was God’s answer to the prayers of his mother Hannah. She had been childless and has prayed that God would give her a son. And she promised that if God would do this she would dedicate him to God. And true to her word, after Samuel was born, once he had been weaned, she brought him to the temple to be consecrated to God and used in His service. And so he was raised by Eli the priest at the temple where he lived. This is where I want to pick up the story in 1 Samuel 3 (read 3:1 – 4:1a)
I want to suggest that early on in Samuel’s life there was a foundation laid that allowed him to build a great life. There was a habit that Samuel integrated into his character that helped to shape him into being the man of greatness that he was. And while some may argue that what made Samuel great was his ability to hear God, I want to suggest that his listening to God makes up only half of the foundation upon which his greatness was built. There is another habit that Samuel started early that we can trace throughout his life and it is one that anyone here can imitate.
We see it teased out in Eli’s advice to Samuel in verses 15 – 18. “Samuel lay down until morning and then opened the doors of the house of the LORD. He was afraid to tell Eli the vision, but Eli called him and said, “Samuel, my son.”
Samuel answered, “Here I am.”
“What was it he said to you?” Eli asked. “Do not hide it from me. May God deal with you, be it ever so severely, if you hide from me anything he told you.” So Samuel told him everything, hiding nothing from him.
Samuel told him everything. Samuel’s habit was to tell God’s truth. What I find interesting is that after we read about Samuel telling the truth to Eli, we read, “The LORD was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognized that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the LORD. The LORD continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word. And Samuel’s word came to all Israel.”
When the Bible says, “…none of Samuel’s words fell to the ground…” It meant that the things that Samuel said would happen didn’t fail to happen. Notice too, that we read that God “…revealed himself to Samuel though his word. And Samuel’s word came to all Israel” Samuel was so faithful at speaking God’s word, His own word seems to become synonymous to Gods.
This habit of telling God’s truth seems to be the hallmark of his life. In 7:15, 16 we read, “Samuel continued as Israel’s leader all the days of his life. From year to year he went on a circuit form Bethel to Gilgal to Mizpah, judging Israel in all those places.” He was a judge who plainly told God’s moral requirements to Israel and guided them in what is right and wrong. In chapter 8, when Israel decides they want a king, and Samuel feels that they have rejected him, God tells Samuel that the people are really rejecting him and wants Samuel to warn the people of the consequences of their desires. So what do we read in 8:10? “Samuel told all the words of the LORD to the people who were asking him for a king.” Later on, in chapter 13:13, 14 Samuel tells the king, “You have done a foolish thing,” Samuel said. “You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the LORD’s command.” Samuel always told the truth of God’s word, even to the king. So it’s not surprising that even after Samuel had died when Saul was panicking, he called a medium to summon the spirit of Samuel to find out what God will was.
In some ways telling God’s truth seems so simple, but the reality is that it is much harder than most of us admit. And yet we all need people in our lives who will tell us the truth from God, even if the news is unpleasant. I need people how love me enough to tell me when I’m sinning and getting off track. I need people who will call me on my hypocrisy and point out my blind spots. And I need people to remind me of God’s unfailing love and forgiveness when I get caught up in feeling guilt and condemnation, and so do you. And not only do we each need that as individuals we need that as a nation, just like the nation of Israel needed to hear the truth. That is, in part, what the role of the church is. We are to communicate to society what pleases God. Whether or not they listen, like what is said, agree or heed it. We will not be judged on the reaction of those we speak God’s truth to, but we will be judged on our faithfulness in making it know.
When telling God’s truth it requires gracious moral courage.
Telling God’s truth requires moral courage. Telling the truth is scary. That is why we read that Samuel was afraid to tell Eli the truth. Perhaps he was afraid because what God told him about Eli and his sons was bad news and he loved Eli. How could he tell such bad news to Eli even if it was the truth? Furthermore, in those days, the messenger who brought the news was often held responsible for the news. Not only could the truth hurt Eli, it could hurt Samuel himself. Telling people what God thinks about a certain situation, or topic can be unpopular. It is easy to say nothing, it takes courage to speak.
True courage is a rare trait. And without it, it is very unlikely that we will tell others the truth. One of the early church fathers — St. John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople said “We must not mind insulting men, if by respecting them we offend God.” We need to be able to tell God’s truth even if it upsets others, but let’s be careful that it is the truth of the message that is upsetting them and not the attitude of the one who tells it. I think we see in the text a clue as to how truth should be told. I’d like to suggest that if we are telling truth that is hard to hear, we do it with fear in our voice. I suspect that when Samuel was telling Eli, there was likely a quivering lip, and a shaky voice and I would not doubt that there were puddles forming in his eyes. I suspect that with such a delivery, Eli must have felt as bad for Samuel as he did for himself.
I don’t know about you but I find it easier to receive the truth from someone who I know hates to tell it, better than I do from one who can’t wait. While it requires courage to tell the truth, we mustn’t allow our hearts to be callous in speaking it. If you don’t want to tell the truth because of the hurt it will bring, that is not an indication that you shouldn’t tell it, on the contrary, it is an indication that you are in exactly the right frame of mind to be able to deliver it.
When telling God’s truth go to the person face to face.
Secondly, when you tell God’s truth, go to the person. Eli called to Samuel and Samuel answered “Here I am.” Be present when you tell the truth. Let them look into your eyes; let them hear the sound of your voice. There is a trend taking place on the internet where people are able to leave anonymous messages to people on social messaging sites. The disturbing reality is that this type of anonymity only leads to cruelty, with people writing things and making comments that they would never say to another person’s face. Tragically the appallingly gross and inappropriate verbal bullying has contributed to some teenagers taking their own lives. Cowardice chooses to remain anonymous but courage will choose to be face to face.
Friends, let’s face it, as society grows in its boldness to display immorality openly. To speak of it as if it is common, acceptable, even good and to be applauded, what is needed are those who will counter this growing trend within culture by openly doing what’s right, publicly calling into question what is immoral, and boldly allowing God’s position to be known. The old saying is true, “all that is needed for evil to prosper is for good people to do nothing.” Unless those who are in relationship with God make His will know and call into question those trends and practices that mock God’s will, and question that logic upon which they justify their immorality, and then boldly and beautifully pain an attractive, alternative picture of God’s preferred will, unless Christians do that, the message that is silently communicated is that Christians have no answers or objections.
It is not enough that we speak in the safety of our church or the comfort of our homes, we have to be willing to risk ridicule and even being hated because we dare to want to advocate for a different moral standard than the majority.
In the middle of the eighteenth century, Christians became increasingly concerned about the slave trade. They amassed information on the inhumane treatment of the slaves and believed that eventually they could generate sufficient public support to overcome the slave trade interests in Parliament. But they needed political leadership.
William Wilberforce was elected to Parliament in 1780. He was converted in 1785, in part as a result of the ministry of John Newton, once a slave trader and then a clergyman in the Church of England.
Newton and others urged Wilberforce to investigate the slave trade and to consider whether he could fight for its abolition in Parliament. Wilberforce concluded, "So enormous, so dreadful, so irremediable did its wickedness appear that my own mind was completely made up for the abolition. A trade founded in iniquity and carried on as this was must be abolished."
His effort took 20 years. He was vigorously opposed by the slave traders, who had powerful allies in Parliament. There was also resistance because this was a moral battle: "Things have come to a pretty pass when religion is allowed to invade public life," complained Lord Melbourne. But with the help of Christians throughout England, Wilberforce eventually succeeded, and in 1807 Parliament voted to abolish the slave trade. We need more Wilberforces.
When telling God’s truth speak when invited.
Thirdly, and this is a very important point, Samuel spoke because he was invited to speak. We are not meant to simply spout off to everyone at any time what God says, sometimes doing so is simply rude. In fact I would suggest that there are two criteria that compel us to tell God’s truth to others, one is when we are asked. If someone is coming to you and asks for what God says with regard to a matter tell it courageously. This was the case in our story.
But there is a second criteria that compels us to speak God’s truth and that is when the nature of the relationship expects it. If you are someone’s friend and they love and respect you, and you love and respect them. That type of relationship requires that you tell them truth. I believe that in a democratic society the relationship between institutions like the church that the government serve and the government itself provides an open invitation to speak God’s truth. And we ought not to shrink back from saying, that we believe a policy is wrong for us as a nation. Samuel’s relationship with Israel as a judge similarly compelled him to tell the truth to his nation.
When telling God’s truth tell the whole truth.
Forth, if you are going to tell God’s truth, tell the whole truth. “What was it he said to you?” Eli asked. “Do not hide it from me. May God deal with you, be it ever so severely, if you hide from me anything he told you.” It seems to me that in almost every truth conversation there comes a point that we would prefer to downplay. Friends, if God has called you to speak His truth, tell the whole thing. If God has told you to speak the truth, tell all of it.
When telling God’s truth make sure it’s God’s truth.
Finally, I want to be very clear on this last point, when we dare to say we are speaking God’s truth, make sure that it is God’s truth. Sometimes people speak as if truth is synonymous with a personal preference. Like one person telling another that their clothing looks hideous and justifies their callous comments by saying “Well it’s the truth.” That’s not truth it is a personal opinion. Let’s be honest, the church has not always been good at this. I can remember times when sermons were preached about the abomination that a man having long hair was to God.
I think this is why, in part, God has called us into a community of faith. We’re not called to be lone rangers telling what we believe God wants said, we are to carefully discern God’s will together. And while we are to tell the whole truth, as Samuel does, he does not go beyond what God tells him. In other words he does not go on to give advice to Eli regarding what he should do with what God commands because God did not tell Samuel what Eli should do. The warning of the third commandment, that we shall not misuse the name of the LORD, is directly warning us in this regard. To misuse the name of the LORD is not so much a warning about using his name as a swear word, as much as it is warning us against using the authority of His name to give His stamp of approval on what you are saying, without it actually being truly a word from Him.
Perhaps the only thing that we may find more frightening than having to tell God’s truth to those we love, is the fear we should sense if we misrepresent God’s truth.
Can you imagine what would happen if each of us individually and our church as a whole had reputations for consistently and accurately telling God’s truth in a manner that communicated our love, even when the message was hard to hear? Do you think over the long haul that would damage our reputation? Do you think over time it would drive people away from us, or do you think that deep within every person is a longing to know the truth, even if it hurts?
Friends, God has made His will known to us. He has revealed it in His Word. Yes some things are difficult to understand and we will want to be careful to accurately interpret what is said and be sure to consult with the wider body of Christ. Yes, it does not give us the specifics and particulars of His will for our individual situations. But within the pages of God’s word we find truth which we need to make known.
And so in this church, there will be times when we have to tell the truth to people:
• Because we want them to know that we love them enough to do that for them.
• Because we assume that they have come to this church not to have their preferences reinforces but to discover God’s preferred will.
• Because we believe that not to do so would be a disservice to them and dishonouring to God.
• Because we believe that being told God’s truth has power to break the control of cultures lies and that each of us were made to live in truth
• Because we believe that the truth really does set people free to be more of who God intended them to be, and that while they live in bondage they will never discover what God has created them for.
Friends, as a boy Samuel learned to tell God’s truth. It became a foundation upon which he built a life of integrity and earned the respect of the nation he served and the blessings of the God he loved. So shall we if we follow his example.
Lets pray.
