Epic stories involve epic heroes, epic villains, and have multiple subplots or iterations that can be told. The first iteration in the Bible, we heard our epic hero, God, lay out his agenda, that through Abraham he would raise up a nation that would bless all people. Our epic villain, Satan, has done his best to lead the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph and Moses astray. In Egypt the original clan of about 70 people grew into a fledgling nation of slaves that were freed, that crossed the desert, received the Ten Commandments to guide them, crossed into the Promised Land and then during the time of the Judges, occupied the land. So far God has communicated with this nation through leaders and then through judges. God’s “leadership style” is dissonant, though, with how the people of Israel see other nations being governed. Jehovah has strict rules, worship in a tabernacle and he is invisible! Others have kings, baal figures that can be kept in houses, and sensually pleasing worship practices. Tension is growi
1 Samuel 1-3 starts the next iteration. God again uses a humble woman who has been barren and ridiculed for her infertility. She has a son, Samuel, whom she sends to be raised under Eli the priest. As a young boy, God speaks to Samuel. Eli has not disciplined his own two sons who thus have lost the privilege of following in their father’s fame. God will go with plan B. The leadership of the country is turned over to Samuel. God seems to delight in taking ordinary people who seek him and then he molds them into his purposes. Samuel is probably the most famous of all the priests and eventually will be instrumental in anointing King Saul and King David. His outstanding characteristic at this point was his listening to God and obeying.
Age does not seem to be a factor as God first speaks to Samuel when he is a small child. Education does not seem to be a factor as Samuel is a small child. There is no identified talent. Samuel simply answers God’s call, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” Today let’s ask ourselves if we are finding time and places when we can listen for God’s voice speaking? Are we willing to be servants? Good questions. Blessings as you seek that wee small voice leading you.
On the Way to Wonder 