1 Samuel 3:10

1 Samuel 3:10

The call of Samuel is very different in its circumstances from the call of St. Paul; yet it resembles it in this particular, that the circumstance of his obedience to it is brought out prominently even in the words put into his mouth by Eli in the text. The characteristic of all Divine calls in Scripture is: (1) to require instant obedience, and (2) to call us we know not to what; to call us on in the darkness. Faith alone can obey them.

I. Those who are living religiously have from time to time truths they did not know before, or had no need to consider, brought before them forcibly; truths which involve duties, which are in fact precepts 'and claim obedience. In this and similar ways Christ calls us now. He works through our natural faculties and circumstances in life.

II. These Divine calls are commonly sudden and as indefinite and obscure in their consequences as in former times. The call may come to us: (1) through the death of a friend or relative; (2) through some act of sacrifice, suddenly resolved on and executed, which opens as it were a gate into the second or third heaven an entrance into a higher state of holiness. (3) The call may come through the hearing or reading of Scripture, or through an unusual gift of Divine grace poured into our hearts.

III. Nothing is more certain than that some men do feel themselves called to high duties and works to which others are not called. No one has any leave to take another's lower standard of holiness for his own. We need not fear spiritual pride if we follow Christ's call as men in earnest. Earnestness has no time to compare itself with the state of other men; earnestness has too vivid a feeling of its own infirmities to be elated at itself. It simply says, "Speak, Lord; for Thy servant heareth." "Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?"

J. H. Newman, Parochial and Plain Sermons,vol. viii., p. 17 (see also Selection from the same,p. 11).

I. No doubt the prophets of God were exceptional men. But in God's world the exceptional is always the evangelistic. God never makes any man for himself, least of all a prophet. The prophet Samuel illustrates the universal freedom of prophetic activity in the Hebrew community, freshly embodies the law expressed by Moses that inspiration is without limits or impediments from above,and is never exclusive in its intended range, or exhausted in its available supply.

II. Christ asserts over and over again the doctrine of the continuity of inspiration. His consolation, amid opposition and defeat, is that His Father reveals the truths of His kingdom to the open and trustful hearts of "babes" like young Samuel, and He solaced His followers by telling them that the Holy Spirit would tell them "all things, and bring all things to their remembrance" that He has said to them in His familiar ministry. The last word of God has not been spoken. The last counsel for a perplexed humanity has not been given.

We are but at the dawn of Revelation, and there is not and cannot be any "finis" with the Eternal.

III. The results of Samuel's inspiration are also possible to us. These results were four: (1) an enlarged and purified conception of God; (2) a strong and governing sway for ethical ideas of God and of life; (3) a contagious impulsion of others towards God and righteousness; (4) a fine susceptibility of advance in religious, social and national activity.

J. CLIFFORD, Daily Strength for Daily Living,p. 139.

I. God called a child, not the old prophet Eli.

II. God called Samuel four times, because he did not understand at first.

III. When God calls us to service, He calls us to honour.

T. Champness, Little Foxes,p. 119.

References: 1 Samuel 3:10. R. D. B. Rawnsley, A Course of Sermons for the Christian Year,p. 273; F. W. Farrar, Silence and the Voices of God,p. 3; J. Van Oosterzee, Year of Salvation,vol. ii., p. 419; J. Vaughan, Sermons,1869, p. 213 (see also Old Testament Outlines,p. 61); Clergyman's Magazine,vol. iii., p. 338; E. Garbett, The Soul's Life,p. 52. 1 Samuel 3:11. R. D. B. Rawnsley, Village Sermons,1st series, p. 196. 1 Samuel 3:11. Parker, vol. vi., p. 248.