1 Samuel 1 speaks about two priests. One is Eli and the other is Elkanah. Elkanah had two wives, Peninah and Hannah. Hannah did not have any children. She was blessed with a son by the Lord when He heard her weeping bitterly in the worship place at Shiloh. She named him Samuel because she had asked him from God. When he turned three, she took Samuel to Eli and handed him over to the priest as she had promised. The little boy separated from his beloved parents grew up under the protection and shadow of Eli. The boy grew up before Eli and served Yahweh.
1 Samuel 3:1, We read that Yahweh calls upon Samuel. In 1 Samuel 3:10, we see that Yahweh calls him for the third time. As instructed by Eli, Samuel replied, 10 The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
There were two people at the worship place, Eli the priest and Samuel. Yahweh had appeared to speak about the sons of Eli, but he had called upon Samuel and not Eli. Yahweh said to Samuel in 1 Samuel 3:11-14, 11 And the Lord said to Samuel: “See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears about it tingle. 12 At that time I will carry out against Eli everything I spoke against his family—from beginning to end. 13 For I told him that I would judge his family forever because of the sin he knew about; his sons blasphemed God, and he failed to restrain them. 14 Therefore I swore to the house of Eli, ‘The guilt of Eli’s house will never be atoned for by sacrifice or offering.’”
In 1 Samuel 2:27 we read that a man of God had appeared before Eli and given a forewarning. But Eli could not bring his sons to the right path and both his sons died on the same day.
After weaning, Samuel was separated from his parents. Just three month old Moses was placed inside a basket and set afloat on the river Nile. His mother has covered it with tar to make it waterproof(Exodus 2:3). Not only that, his sister Miriam kept watch from far to see what would happen to him.
Dear parents it is inevitable that we let our children out into this world. They should be taught to fear God, faith in God, hope in God, love God and devotion the Lord. Are we sending them out into the world with these shields? Do you pay attention to what is happening to them?? Elkanah and Hannah would visit Samuel only once a year. His mother 1 Samuel 2:19,19 Each year his mother made him a little robe and took it to him when she went up with her husband to offer the annual sacrifice. He grew to be content with what he had.
Samuel was a prophet of God. Moses was an instrument used by Yahweh to deliver the Israelites from the bondage of Egyptians. Similarly, the Lord has a plan for our children also. Moses was set adrift on water, but children today are stepping into the ocean. Drugs, sexual immorality, alcohol and luxurious lifestyles, these are sharks that devour our children. Once captured by them its near to impossible to escape. What we see today in the media is enough to pollute any mind and sight.
We should not be parents who lack any purpose or direction. We pride ourselves on pampering our children with everything they need. No one is heard saying that they have brought up their children not just with love , but as people who are loved for by both men and the Lord. Today children even before the age of understanding right and wrong, irrespective of the the gender are staying away from their homes for education and jobs. Are we paying attention to the kind of friends they keep and their lifestyle away from home?? Are we aware or looking closely that the lifeboat on which we send our children into the ocean of the world can drown them?? Money, mobile and other gadgets and their misuse is a big challenge before today’s generation. Just as David payed to the Lord, may our children also pray to the Lord, Psalms 51: 10-15,
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
so that sinners will turn back to you.
14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
you who are God my Savior,
and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
15 Open my lips, Lord,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
1 Timothy 4:12, 12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.
Jehovah Roi 