“I AM ABOUT TO DO A THING!”

 

1 Samuel 3:8-14                         (ESV)

“[8] And THE LORD CALLED SAMUEL again THE THIRD TIME. And he arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the LORD was calling the boy. [9] Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant hears.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

[10] And the LORD came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for YOUR servant hears.” [11] Then the LORD said to Samuel, “Behold, “I AM ABOUT TO DO A THING” in Israel AT WHICH THE TWO EARS OF EVERYONE WHO HEARS IT will tingle. [12] On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. [13] And I declare to him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming GOD, and he did not restrain them. [14] Therefore I swear to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli’s house SHALL NOT BE ATONED FOR by sacrifice or offering forever.””

HEARING FROM THE LORD can be JOYFUL, yet TRAUMATIC at the same time, even within the same events that could be occurring!  The birth of Samuel was preceded by many prayers of Hannah, the wife of Elkanah.  Hannah was so grateful that her prayer was answered by THE LORD that she committed Samuel, the son whom “I have asked for him from THE LORD”, to serve in the temple.  The priest at the time was named Eli, and Samuel was placed into his care after he was weaned to SERVE GOD!  Eli was the priest of GOD, but his two sons were “…worthless men. They did not know the LORD” (1 Samuel 2:12)!    

THE LORD attempted to speak to Samuel a couple of times, but he always thought it was Eli calling him?  However, the MESSAGE from THE LORD HAD TO BE sent, and it is recorded “And THE LORD CALLED SAMUEL again THE THIRD TIME.”  Hearing from THE LORD isn’t to be taken lightly nor misunderstood!  Samuel was being prepared to hear a MESSAGE that would be heard by the people who refused to listen to THE LORD, while at the same time by Samuel who was thought to be around 12 years old.  To be so young, in find it interesting that THE LORD has Samuel go to Eli when HE was trying to speak to Samuel regarding the impending JUDGMENT of Eli and his REBELLIOUS sons!!!

After hearing from Eli regarding these attempts, “And the LORD came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for YOUR servant hears.” The MESSAGE delivered to Samuel was probably not what a twelve year old young man preferred to be telling the priest, but he had to be a MESSENGER and let THE LORD deal with the outcome 

“On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end” was the MESSAGE from THE LORD delivered by Samuel.  “I AM ABOUT TO DO A THING” was ALMIGHTY GOD speaking that JUDGEMENT was near!  When THE LORD is ready to DO THAT WHICH ONLY HE CAN DO, we need to make sure that we are ready to SEE “I AM ABOUT TO DO A THING”!  For when HE is ready to exhibit “I AM ABOUT TO DO A THING”, it could be DEVASTATING to some while at the same time GLORIOUS for others!  Which side will you fit into ALMIGHTY GODS PLAN???