Spring Sermon Series | SpiritLife Church | April 21, 2024
Today I want to talk to you about the struggles that Samuel faced with dysfunction in the lives of the people around him. Samuel’s life was marked by seasons of dysfunction that seemed to follow him wherever he went. From the dysfunction in his own family to the dysfunction of the nation of Israel, Samuel had to navigate through challenging circumstances that shaped his character and faith.
- The first season of dysfunction that Samuel faced was in his own family before he was even born. Elkanah, Penninah, and Hannah were all part of a dysfunctional environment that caused pain and strife in their household. Elkanah’s favoritism towards Hannah and Penninah’s jealousy of Hannah created a toxic environment for Samuel to be raised in. Despite these challenges, Hannah remained faithful and prayed to the Lord for a son, and through her faithfulness, Samuel was born.
In 1 Samuel 1:27-28, we read, “For this boy I prayed, and the Lord has given me my petition which I asked of Him. So I have also dedicated him to the Lord; as long as he lives he is dedicated to the Lord.” Despite the dysfunction in his family, Samuel was raised with a strong foundation of faith and devotion to the Lord.
- The second season of dysfunction that Samuel faced was being raised by Eli, the high priest, in the midst of a corrupt priesthood. Hophni and Phinehas, Eli’s sons, were wicked men who exploited their position for personal gain and led the people astray. Despite the influence of these evil men, Samuel remained faithful to the Lord and grew in wisdom and stature.
“Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord in the presence of Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; visions were infrequent. It happened at that time as Eli was lying down in his place (now his eyesight had begun to grow dim and he could not see well), and the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord where the ark of God was, that the Lord called Samuel; and he said, ‘Here I am.’ Then he ran to Eli and said, ‘Here I am, for you called me.’ But he said, ‘I did not call, lie down again.’ So he went and lay down. The Lord called yet again, ‘Samuel!’ So Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, ‘Here I am, for you called me.’ But he said, ‘I did not call, my son; lie down again.’ Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, nor had the word of the Lord been revealed to him. So the Lord called Samuel again for the third time. And he got up and went to Eli and said, ‘Here I am, for you called me.’ Then Eli discerned that the Lord was calling the boy. And Eli said to Samuel, ‘Go lie down, and it shall be if He calls you, that you shall say, “Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.”‘ So Samuel went and lay down in his place. Then the Lord came and stood and called as at the previous times, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ And Samuel said, ‘Speak, for Your servant is listening.’ The Lord said to Samuel, ‘Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel that will make both ears of everyone who hears it tingle. On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. For I have told him that I am about to judge his house forever for the wrongdoing which he knew, because his sons brought a curse on themselves and he did not rebuke them. Therefore I have sworn to the house of Eli that the wrongdoing of Eli’s house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever.’ So Samuel lay down until morning, then opened the doors of the house of the Lord. But Samuel was afraid to report the vision to Eli. However, Eli called Samuel and said, ‘Samuel, my son.’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’ Then Eli said, ‘What is the word that He spoke to you? Please do not hide it from me. May God do so to you, and more also, if you hide anything from me of all that He spoke to you.’ So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. And Eli said, ‘It is the Lord; let Him do what seems good to Him.'” (1 Samuel 3:1-19, NASB20)
This passage depicts the calling of Samuel as he learns to listen to the voice of the Lord and responds with obedience and humility. It also shows how Eli, despite his own failings, recognizes the hand of the Lord on Samuel and encourages him to listen and obey. Samuel’s upbringing under Eli’s guidance, despite the dysfunction of the priesthood, helped shape him into a man of God who would go on to be a great prophet and leader of Israel.
- The third season of dysfunction that Samuel faced was the desire of the Israelites to have a king rule over them. Despite the warnings of Samuel and the Lord, the people insisted on having a king like the other nations. This decision brought about even more dysfunction and turmoil in Israel as they suffered under the rule of earthly kings.
“So Samuel spoke all the words of the Lord to the people who had asked him for a king. He said, ‘This will be the procedure of the king who will reign over you: he will take your sons and place them for himself in his chariots and among his horsemen, and they will run before his chariots. He will appoint for himself commanders of thousands and of fifties, and some to do his plowing and to reap his harvest, and to make his weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. He will take your daughters for perfumers and cooks and bakers. He will take the best of your fields, your vineyards, and your olive groves, and give them to his servants. He will take a tenth of your seed and of your vineyards and give it to his officers and his servants. He will take your male servants and your female servants and your best young men and your donkeys and use them for his own work. He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his servants. And you will cry out on that day because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the Lord will not answer you on that day.'” (1 Samuel 8:10-18, NASB20)
This passage highlights Samuel’s warning to the people of Israel about the consequences of having a human king instead of trusting in God’s sovereign rule over them. Samuel outlines the ways in which a king will exploit and take advantage of the people, leading to oppression and hardship. Despite Samuel’s warnings, the people still chose to have a king, which ultimately led to further dysfunction and discord within the nation of Israel.
In 1 Samuel 8:7, the Lord tells Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in regard to all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them.” The desire for a king was rooted in a lack of faith and trust in the Lord, leading to further dysfunction in the nation of Israel.
So what can we learn from Samuel’s struggles with dysfunction in the lives of those around him?
- Firstly, dysfunction is rooted in sin. Whether it be favoritism, jealousy, corruption, or rebellion, dysfunction stems from a lack of obedience to God’s commands. We must be vigilant in recognizing and addressing sin in our own lives and in the lives of those around us.
- Secondly, we should study dysfunction so we can know how to overcome it. By examining the examples of dysfunction in Samuel’s life, we can learn valuable lessons on how to respond to challenging circumstances with faith and integrity. We can seek guidance from the Word of God and rely on the Holy Spirit to help us navigate through dysfunction in a way that honors Him.
- And finally, overcoming dysfunction produces a successful legacy that outlives our natural circumstances. Despite the dysfunction in his family, in the priesthood, and in the nation of Israel, Samuel remained faithful to the Lord and left a lasting impact on the people he served. His obedience and devotion to God set an example for future generations to follow.
In the Old Testament scriptures, Samuel was a significant figure who played various roles, including being a prophet, priest, and judge in ancient Israel. Some of the greatest successes in Samuel’s life include:
1. Calling of Samuel: As a young boy, Samuel heard the voice of God calling him in the night. This marked the beginning of Samuel’s prophetic ministry and his close relationship with God.
2. Anointing of Saul and David: Samuel anointed Saul as the first king of Israel at God’s command. Later, he also anointed David as the future king of Israel while Saul was still reigning. This act played a crucial role in the establishment of the monarchy in Israel.
3. Leadership as Judge: Samuel served as a judge in Israel, helping to govern the nation and administer justice during a tumultuous period. His leadership brought stability and guidance to the people of Israel.
4. Rebuking Saul: Samuel fearlessly confronted King Saul when he disobeyed God’s commands. Despite the risks involved, Samuel remained faithful to God and spoke truth to power, demonstrating his courage and commitment to righteousness.
5. Establishment of the Schools of the Prophets: Samuel played a key role in the establishment of the schools of the prophets, where men were trained to serve as prophets and leaders in Israel. This initiative helped to foster spiritual growth and leadership development among the people. Most historians believe that Elijah and Elisha were associated with these schools and received muchg of their training through them.
Overall, Samuel’s life was marked by his unwavering faithfulness to God, his dedication to serving the people of Israel, and his pivotal role in shaping the nation’s history through his prophetic ministry and leadership.
As we face dysfunction in our own lives and in the lives of those around us, may we be like Samuel – steadfast in our faith, unwavering in our commitment to God, and hopeful in the knowledge that overcoming dysfunction can lead to a legacy that glorifies Him. Let us seek the Lord’s guidance in all things and trust in His power to transform dysfunction into beauty for His glory.