Seeing the Big Picture

INTRO

Whenever we are in the Old Testament, 1 Corinthians 10:11 should be on our minds: “Now these things happened to them as examples, and they were written as a warning to us, on whom the ends of the ages have come.” In Revive School, we are looking at each of the 66 books of the Bible to see how Jesus is portrayed. One of the things I have become really convicted of is the need to step back from Scripture a bit so I can see “the big picture.” Before we move into chapter 3, I want to explore “the big picture” of 1 Samuel.

How does the miracle of Samuel’s birth speak to what God was doing during that time? From chapters 1–2, we’ve learned that the house of the Lord was out of order. Eli, the high priest, was old and blind. His sons, the natural heirs to the priesthood were vile. The questions to think about are: What would God do? What could God do? God used Hannah and Elkanah to bring about a “new order.” Hannah just wanted a child; God needed a prophet. Hannah’s bargain with God brings His plan into fruition. If Hannah had gotten pregnant in her own time frame, would we have had the miracle of Samuel’s birth? This shows the timing and movement of God we need to pay attention to, because I believe God does the same thing today. We get upset when God does not answer in our timing, but God has a bigger picture we need to come into agreement with through an understanding of what God wants to do.

TEACHING

1 Samuel 3:1–3: After Samuel was weaned, he was given to Eli. Samuel served God under Eli’s supervision. “In those days the word of the LORD was rare and prophetic visions were not widespread” (v. 1). The King James Version says, “the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.” Eli and Samuel lit the night lamp in the tabernacle, laid down, and rested until early in the morning (v. 3).

1 Samuel 3:4–14: While they were both sleeping, Samuel heard the voice of God. Thinking the voice was Eli’s, Samuel went into his presence three times (vv. 5-6, 8). This reminds us that God can speak to children. Finally, Eli figured out that God was speaking to Samuel, giving him instructions (v. 8). Eli instructed Samuel to respond, “Speak, LORD, for Your servant is listening” (v. 9). Samuel did so and listened to what God had to say. God told Samuel He would judge Eli, because he had not stopped his sons from knowingly committing sins and defiling the sanctuary (vv. 12–14). God had already sent this word to Eli through a man (1 Samuel 2:27). God has ways of making His desires for Israel happen that we cannot comprehend.

1 Samuel 3:15–18: In the morning, Samuel tried to act normal, but Eli demanded to know what God had said. When Samuel told Eli of God’s coming judgment, Eli confirmed that Samuel heard God correctly (1 Samuel 2:27–36). I believe Eli was aware of God’s desire to speak and to be heard. However, He could no longer speak to Eli because of all that had happened in his family and what he had already heard from God.

I have to feel a little sorry for Eli. When you were born into the priesthood during this period, you had certain things you had to do. Eli’s sons were required to follow him in the priesthood, but they were doing vile things and they were living completely in sin. Eli knew they were doing wrong, but found himself in a tough position. Eli responded to Samuel with, “He is the LORD. He will do what He thinks is good” (v. 18). In my opinion, I think Eli was hoping God’s message would somehow release him from the responsibilities he had in the tabernacle. He was old and blind, so how was he supposed to carry all this out? These stories in the Bible show that there has to be an intervention and God will intervene in His timing. Eli could have felt shame and discouragement over his heirs and been concerned that he had not provided an heir to take his place; but God provided the heir. This brings us back to “the big picture,” to step back far enough to see what God is doing, even when we’re not able to take care of things ourselves. I want us to be able to step back far enough that we can see God has intervened.

This was a child who had been put in a place in which he waited on the Lord. He attended to the high priest, unlike the priest’s sons. Eli seems to have rested in the knowledge that Samuel heard from God and was in the sight of God. Romans 12:1 says, “Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship.” This is the New Testament picture of what Samuel was doing in the Tabernacle.

1 Samuel 4:1–11: In chapter 4, Israel went into battle against the Philistines and was defeated (vv. 1–2). The people of Israel didn’t understand why God would allow them to be defeated, so they brought the ark from Shiloh, thinking it might save them from further defeat by the Philistines (vv. 3–5). They thought God was present in the box, in the ark of the covenant of the Lord. The Philistines heard the great shout from the Israelite camp and realized their God had arrived (vv. 6–9). The Philistines panicked, but fought against the army of Israel (v. 10). The ark was captured and both of Eli’s sons died, just as God had promised (v. 11).

1 Samuel 4:12–18: A messenger ran from the battle to Shiloh to tell Eli that the ark had been captured and Eli’s sons were dead (vv. 12–17). When Eli heard the ark was taken, he fell off the chair, broke his neck, and died (v. 18). His deep grief was from the capture of the ark, not the death of his sons.

1 Samuel 4:19–22: When Phinehas’ pregnant wife heard her husband and Eli had been killed and the ark had been captured; she collapsed into labor (v. 19). As she was dying, she was told she had given birth to a son whom she named Ichabod, meaning “The glory has departed from Israel” (vv. 20–22). They were now a nation without the presence of God.

CLOSING

What is “the big picture” from this passage for us today who are living in the last days? I believe that when we are living in dark days; God can raise up a passionate person who will be a deliverer for the kingdom of God and bring them into a position of anointing. God can speak through the young as well as the old, and they will be able to recognize the voice of God. God can bring an end to a covenant that has been made with those who have not submitted themselves to Him. God can bring the correction necessary to a system that is headed into peril.

We’ll see in the chapters to come that even though the ark had been taken, God could still work things together for good (Romans 8:28). Here's my challenge: To look for those things that are written for my admonition and decipher those things that God is speaking to me. God what do you need me to do today so that I come into agreement with your plan?