Here I Am

Introduction

A. Thomas Carlyle, a writer and philosopher of the 1800s wrote “Show me the man you honor and I will know what kind of man you are.” Written almost 200 years ago, it is still true today. Who is honored in our culture? Athletes, celebrities, the major business moguls. We honor the superficial in our culture. We honor that which has no lasting benefit. But this is not new. That which we honor or value is revealed in how we live our lives.

B. As Dwight pointed out last week early in 1 Samuel we see a number of comparisons and contrasts. 1 Samuel 3 is no exception. This morning we are going to compare Samuel and Eli. Samuel is just a boy. Eli is an old man. Samuel is just beginning to understand what it means to walk with God. Eli has had a lifetime to walk with God. Samuel and Eli help us to see two different attitudes. On the surface, Eli and Samuel both appear to love God, but as we shall see, what they truly value is revealed in their actions. This is true for us all. What we value is revealed in how we live. Let’s be willing to take a look at ourselves today and what we truly value.

Different Values

A. The story in 1 Samuel 3 may be familiar. Eli has been God’s high priest for a number of years. He is a familiar sight at the tabernacle. Eli’s sons were wicked. They would use force to take the best meat from the animal that was to be sacrificed. They had sexual relations with women who were serving the Lord in various capacities in the tabernacle. Eli knew this about his sons. It grieved him, but he did nothing about it. In 2:22-25, he rebukes his boys and condemns their behavior, but he doesn’t keep them from serving as priests in the tabernacle. Eli valued calm instead of God’s ways.

B. Samuel on the other hand is a small boy. While we are not sure of his age in chapter three, we know that he is still a boy according to 1 Samuel 3:1. This word is used to describe a newborn (1 Samuel 4:21) or a forty year old man (2 Chronicles 13:7; 12:13). Most see Samuel as being anywhere from 12-15 years old. He is young and inexperienced. While having grown up in the tabernacle watching Eli and his sons work, he as yet did not know the ways of God (3:7).

C. One night Samuel and Eli have gone to bed. Samuel is another part of the tabernacle area. He hears a voice call his name. Believing that Eli is in need of some assistance, he runs to Eli ready to help. Eli tells Samuel that he didn’t call him and to return to bed. Two more times Samuel hears a voice call his name. Two more times he goes to Eli’s side to assist him. Two more times he is told to go back to bed. But on the last trip, Eli understands that it is God who is calling Samuel. Eli tells Samuel next time he hears the voice to respond with words of willingness.

D. God calls to Samuel again and this time Samuel responds, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” And the Lord began to speak to Samuel. He told him that Eli’s tenure as high priest was coming to an end. Furthermore, because of Eli’s sons none of the family will take his place. God is going to make a new start. He is going to bring someone else to the forefront to lead his people spiritually. Samuel is going to be his prophet. The next morning Samuel tells Eli all that God spoke to him. Verse 19, God was with Samuel and whatever Samuel said came true.

Lessons

A. So what are we to learn from this text? We have a contrast in values. We have two people connected to God. Eli is God’s representative on earth. But he is ineffective. He does not take his role seriously enough to confront evil. Samuel is a teenager. He, too, wants to honor God. But the difference is he is willing to speak God’s word even it means discomfort. Both were willing to listen but only Samuel was willing to act upon what he heard.

B. The first lesson is that willingness to listen means nothing unless we are willing to change. Eli knew his boys were doing evil. He knew that his sons were a disgrace. He knew that God wanted him to correct them and to change his ways. He knew that they should not represent God in a priestly capacity until they changed their conduct. He chewed on them a little bit then let them go back to their priestly roles. Shameful. What do we value? We hear God’s call but do not change. We value our own comfort, security, luxury. We expect things to be easy and are angered when things get difficult. I see this in students who want the knowledge without paying the price of study. They want an easy “A” rather than an earned “B.” A willingness to listen means nothing unless we are willing to change.

C. The second lesson is what we value will be seen in our obedience to God. Samuel heard the voice of the Lord. He was ready to respond. When Eli told him how to properly respond to the Lord, Samuel was ready to do whatever God asked him to do. Eli claimed to listen to God. But his actions said something else. Samuel listened and responded. Without obedience we are just fooling ourselves. To claim to follow God and to act on our own impulses and desires is sinful. Samuel demonstrates a willing spirit which should encourage us to be like him. “Speak for your servant is listening.” That kind of willing spirit needs to be a part of your life and mine. Don’t you know that Samuel felt awkward telling Eli the truth the next morning? But in that awkwardness, Samuel obeyed God. That is the kind of willingness that we need.

D. This is some kind of disconnect in our culture. We have put God into a nice compartment so as to not complicate life.

1. Those who claim to value relationship with God choose media entertainment that dishonors him.

2. Those who claim to value God's will use language that makes God look bad.

3. Those who claim to value the kingdom of God spend more time worrying about the next presidential election than if their neighbor knows Jesus.

4. Those who claim to listen to God's call live life for their own pleasure and enjoyment.

5. A missionary society wrote to David Livingstone and asked, "Have you found a good road to where you are? If so, we want to know how to send other men to join you." Livingstone wrote back, "If you have men who will come only if they know there is a good road, I don't want them. I want men who will come if there is no road at all."

E. Wasn’t that the kind of willingness Jesus had in the garden? Face down, his sweat mingling with the dirt, Jesus is wrestling with a decision. How obedient is he going to be? The plan for him to die had been put into place long ago. He knew what was expected and had known before time began. As the millennia passed, Jesus knew he would come to earth. But now in the garden just a few short hours before his death, he has to make a decision. In his spirit he wants to honor God, but everything around him cries out for him to run. How obedient will he be? Obedience will cost him his life.

F. God has called each Christian to be his representative on this earth. Some hear but do not change. Others are willing to obey even at great cost. Will you be an Eli or a Samuel? Will you be willing to listen? Are you willing to change whatever needs to be changed in order to honor God? Are you just playing a game with God or are you serious about your walk with Him? Do you value your ease or obedience to God?

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