Samuel and the Word of the Lord
Lectionary for Sunday, June 14, 2009
Hebrew Scriptures: I Samuel 15:34-16:13
The story of Samuel is an amazing one. From his miraculous birth through the prayer of faith of his mother, Hannah, to a mid-night call, to serving Eli the priest at Shiloh, to becoming prophet of the Lord, anointing Saul as first king of Israel and anointing David as replacement to Saul, Samuel was a powerful figure during transitions years of Israel. (Read the first book of Samuel) After the Hebrew people made their exodus from Egypt, arrived in Canaan and made it their home, expelling those who lived there before, the Judges were the military leaders appointed by God to be the righteous and mighty forceful hand of God leading the people. After the time of the Judges, the people of God began to settle into the ways of the world, desiring a leader like other nations, a king. The voice of the Lord in the prophets like Samuel no longer held the popular vote. And yet, even after they pushed and succeeded in getting their king, they still had great appreciation and fear, yes fear, of those who spoke the word of the Lord. Samuel was one. Kings respected him and were afraid of him.
I wonder about Samuel. He is not one of the most outstanding figures remembered in scripture, and yet Saul and David both revered him. Powerful kings, mighty military men, men who killed other men without much thought, were in awe of the presence, the words, and the actions of a man like Samuel; Samuel, the boy prophet; Samuel, the man who spoke God’s word for the people who were still becoming.
Reading the story of Samuel again, from the beginning when he came as a little boy to serve in the presence of the Lord, I am struck by Samuel who grew up in the presence of the Lord, who seemed to hear God speak not only in the night, but all along the way, leading and guiding him and the people. I wonder about this Samuel who had the kind of ears that seemed to clearly be able to hear God speak not only to him but also in behalf of all the people. Samuel seemed to have an “inside” connection with God, seemed to be partners with God. Samuel had the courage to speak God’s word without too much fear of the consequences. Yes, he did fear Saul’s anger when he set out to anoint a new king, but just before that we have Saul tugging on Samuel’s robe hem pleading for forgiveness. Ordinary people as well as powerful kings made way for the prophet of God. Somehow they knew there was something different, something rare about these people who knew God intimately.
And so I wonder about the power of “the cloth”. When people dare to speak in God’s behalf, others listen, take notice, and are in awe, sometimes in fear. In the scripture for today, people are afraid when Samuel shows up. How many times when the minister arrives do people change their behavior, their language, or ask, “Why are you here?” “Is there something we did wrong?” People make way for those of “the cloth”, who wear the collar. Some shy away from the clergy. Some are afraid. Some just don’t want to be anywhere near that “God talk”.
There is power in that presence, sometimes in a positive light, sometimes quite negative. There is power in the action and the behavior of one who dares speak the word of the Lord. People listen for their judgment, for acceptance or rejection, or turn away when the coast is clear. Folks both avoid and are attracted to the things of God, the things of the Spirit, the Word of the Lord.
Who dares speak or act in behalf of God?
Samuel didn’t seem to question his call from God to be a spokes person. He simply said, “here I am” and did as God commanded. He did not argue much with God. He obeyed the voice of God as he heard the voice. Seems pretty simply and trusting.
Is today much different? We have skeptics aplenty. We are skeptics. “Who am I that God would speak through me?” “Who are you that you might have a word from God?” We do not fear the word of the Lord so much today. We don’t stand much in awe that God might actually speak to us, even if through another. We mostly ignore any chance of listening for God’s word, and much less hearing God’s word, to obey it.
I wonder if we might be as simple minded (?) as King Saul to believe another might have a word from God for us and listen. I wonder if we might be like David and simply receive the action of another’s blessing and anointing. How much would we question, debate, discuss, discern, figure, analyze, question some more before believing or receiving the actions or words from God through another?
In this season of Pentecost, the season of the Spirit, I wonder how the Spirit continues to be poured out on God’s people. I wonder who is anointed each day to speak and act in behalf of God to teach me, to lead me? I wonder when I might be an anointed one in behalf of speaking for God to another, and if I am humble enough for the task.
“The Spirit came mightily upon David” (I Sam 16:13) after the action of Samuel. To what degree do we have the power to empower one another with the Spirit of God? To what degree do we have the power to drain one another of hope and good will by turning away from one another? Samuel’s presence, his words, his actions were a powerful force for King Saul, and King David. Perhaps we are not like Samuel, but when we dare speak with a passion based on faith, best be careful, for the words, actions, and presence we bear impacts others with hope, courage, and/or despair.
I feel badly for Saul who was rejected. Yes, he may not have been patient to wait for God’s word, but he seems to be regarded as a failure in the history of Israel. I wonder if Samuel’s words of rejection were the cause of his depression and fits of rage. I wonder if grace had been extended to Saul if he would have been a different man. I wonder if we reject others, write them off as lost causes, if we might actually cause their “lostness”. I wonder if we really know what kind of blessings or curses we might offer as people of God, mouth pieces of the Holy One?
O be careful little tongues what you say and do. O be careful the powerful people who dare speak in behalf of God. May grace, forgiveness, love, and peace guide all our words and acts. May it be that the Spirit of God’s love and grace might come mightily upon all people everywhere.
O God, may you grant this desire of my heart, that all people everywhere may know your grace, your love, your hope, your peace, your presence, your rest, today and always. (Psalm 20:4)
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