Leadership is an integral part of our world, including the kingdom of God. Leaders are responsible for the well-being of a nation. The choice of a leader can make or mar the growth and development of a community. This month, we shall examine different aspects of leadership of Israel’s nation after they have settled down in the Promised Land.
Lesson A: Discernment of God’s Heart in Service
Mentoring is one of the significant attributes of good leadership for producing or raising great leaders.
Many people can point to one or more people God has used at one time or the other to get into a position of leadership or authority. God Almighty, by His sovereignty, fulfilled the promise He made with Abraham by delivering the Israelites out of Egyptian slavery.
God used Moses for the beautiful assignment. After the death of Moses, Joshua succeeded him and led the Israelites to the Promised Land. The priestly roles and functions were conspicuously silent in the Book of Judges because Israel as a nation experienced a declining spiritual relationship with God.
Nevertheless, they were not left without a leader who then served them as a judge. In the Book of Samuel, the priestly role resurfaced with the turn of a man called Eli. Several times, we have blamed Samuel for his weak points concerning his immoral acts of his sons (Hophni and Phinehas).
Today’s lesson focuses on how Samuel was called into the priesthood office and prophetic ministry. Also, Eli made a positive impact by helping Samuel discern God’s calling to serve. What a good attitude, showing as a good leader!
The Call of Samuel (1 Samuel 3:8-10)
After waiting on the Lord during a period of childlessness, Hannah’s devotion, commitment and dedication to the Lord were finally rewarded. Although Eli initially misconstrued her sincerity, he later blessed her when he realised her sincere heart of prayer.
The product of the prayer was Samuel (God heard). His mother waited until he was weaned, likely around the age of four, before bringing him to serve in the house of the Lord under Eli, the priest (1 Samuel 1:22-25; 3:1).
By this time, Eli has been old. His two sons, who would have succeeded hi,m were unworthy (1 Samuel 2:17, 22). On the contrary, the scripture says Samuel grew in stature and favour with the Lord and people (2:26). It came to a time when God was calling Samuel.
He called three times, but Samuel responded to Eli because he thought it was Eli (3:4- 6). The reason was that “Samuel did not yet know the Lord’s voice. The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. Hence, he needed someone to guide and put him through.
Fortunately, the evidence of true leadership was displayed by Eli, He was not envious of Samuel, neither did he get angry with him but instead he guided him to: (1) discover and identify the Lord, (2) recognise the Lord’s voice, (3) answer to the Lord’s calling, and (4) surrender himself completely to the Lord. Eli played the role of a counsellor.
There should be no room for jealousy or unnecessary envy towards younger ones or anyone God entrusted into our care. The person may be a novice, a confused person about God’s calling, and they need your help.
We must not mislead them. Eli’s style of leadership here can be emulated in guiding people in the way of the Lord.
God’s Message to Eli’s Household (1 Samuel 3:11-15)
After Samuel obeyed Eli and responded according to what he was told (3:10), the Lord commissioned Samuel on his first assignment.
Note that it was the high priest’s duty to offer sacrifices on behalf of God’s people, burn a continual incense before the Lord, and watch over the Ark of the Covenant in the Lord’s tabernacle.
Conversely, Samuel’s calling transcends that of a priest, as he was elevated in addition as a judge and a priest to a prophet. Ironically, his first commission was to pronounce God’s predictions of judgment upon Eli and his household (11-14). That was a repetition of Eli’s earlier message from a man of God (1 Samuel 2:27-36).
The severity of what God will do will make the ears of everyone tingle, as it will affect the high priest, his household, and the change of priesthood entirely to another line, different from the Levitical clan.
(Samuel was from the Ephraimite clan. cf 1 Samuel 1:1; 1 Kings 2:26-27). It is worth noting that the consequences of Eli’s failure and his son’s sins ripped them off the call of God.
God has still called people into various ministries and services today. Aside from various gifts, works, and services, every individual who is called is expected to understand the nature of the call he/she received and stay within the scope of the call, even if it seems unpopular.
We should note importantly that obedience and reverence for God are part of our lives. The persistent sin and disrespect for God’s commands can lead to severe consequences.
Believers are called to listen to God’s voice, respond with obedience, and uphold His standards in our lives. Also, the spiritual leaders are responsible for guiding the body of Christ (Church) faithfully.
Samuel Delivered the Lord’s Message (1 Samuel 3:16-20
It should be noted that the message the Lord gave to Samuel to deliver to Eli and his household was not a pleasant one. Samuel was afraid and reluctant to deliver the message, not because of fear of punishment, but because of his love and respect he had for Eli, the priest. Samuel also thought of the situation of Eli, who was experiencing distress.
The commentary explains why Samuel lay down until morning. When Samuel opened the doors of the house the following morning, Eli saw him and commanded him to tell him everything God had said to him. (15-18). Realising the dangers and consequences of withholding the message, “Samuel told him everything, hiding nothing from him” (v18). We can learn that Samuel’s boldness and courage to deliver God’s message as it is to the superior deserves commendation.
Eli’s response to the Lord’s message raises some questions. We may not say whether it is out of reverence or frustration. God eventually punished Eli’s household.
We can now see that God does not joke with sin or take it lightly. Gospel ministers and all believers should take a clue from this by being faithful stewards. (1 Corinthians 4:2). Also, Christians are encouraged to take parental guidance and discipline seriously.
Children must not be left alone to behave against God’s instruction. We must understand that whoever enjoys disobeying God will face His judgment.
Prayer Points
1. Pray that God will help you to discern right from wrong.
2. Ask God to help you guide your family right.
Part B: The consequences of neglecting God’s warnings
George Santayana, an American Philosopher, said, “Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” In the book of Joshua, when we read chapter six, Israel broke through the wall of Jericho and defeated the city. This defeat was not by their might and power but by God’s help.
In their next move, they attempted to conquer Ai, a small city, but they could not; the men of Ai killed about thirty-six Israelites (Joshua 7:5). Perplexed and devastated, Joshua tore his clothes and fell face down to the ground before the ark of the Lord. He was there till evening with a broken heart, wondering and praying to God to know the reason for their defeat.
In response, the Lord said to Joshua, Israel had sinned. “That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies, and they turn their backs and run because they have become doomed to destruction.
I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction” (Joshua 7:12). Today’s lesson similarly portrays the nation of Israel that had fallen away from God, and they wanted God to fight for them.
The Report from the War ( 1 Samuel 4:12-17)
In the preceding verses (4:1-11), Israel wages war against the Philistines under the leadership of Eli. The priest, who was already under God’s condemnation, was not on the battlefield. But his two sons (Hophni and Phinehas), who have been marked for destruction, went to the war front with Israel’s army.
Unfortunately, about four thousand of Israel’s soldiers were killed. The man who escaped from the war came back with bad news. The elders decided to take the ark of the Lord to the war. They thought that their victory would be guaranteed. But the enemies were defeated again.
The report of their defeat was brought to Eli, who was anxiously and fearfully waiting for the news. The result of the war was (1) in one day, 4,000 soldiers were killed (vs 2), (2) in another day, 30,000 were killed (vs 10), (3) Hophni and Phinehas, sons of Eli, died, and (4) the ark of the covenant of God was captured (vs 11).
Remember, God had predicted the judgment that would come upon Eli’s household when Samuel delivered God’s message to him. He responded, “He is the LORD; let Him do what is good in His eyes.” (Exodus 2:21, 22).
The result of war was disastrous to both Eli’s household and the nation of Israel at large. In the history of Israel, the ark of the covenant represents the presence of God among His people (Exodus 25:21, 22).
The elders believe that the presence of the ark will save them and the nation even if they disobey God. The shocking defeat showed that their relationship with God was more active in enjoying God’s backing.
Remember, God cannot be compromised nor manipulated with religious bigotry without a true commitment and relationship with God. “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked” (Galatians 6:7). We must understand that a man reaps whatever he sows.
The Consequences of the News (1 Samuel 4:18-22)
The devastating consequences of sin cannot be quantified. Anxiously listening to the result of the war, Eli heard the most unexpected, especially the capture of the ark of God. When he heard that the ark of God was captured, he fell off, his neck was broken.
Also, when Phinehas’ wife heard the news that the ark of God had been captured, her father-in-law and her husband were dead, she went to an induced labour, but she could not survive the pains and eventually died after her delivery.
What a tragedy! The death and calamity that befell Eli’s household resulted in wicked acts of Eli’s sons that He could not control, and also a fulfilment of judgment earlier pronounced in 1 Samuel 2:29.
The ark of God that was captured had a great implication on Israel. Also, Phinehas’ wife gave the name to her baby boy “Ichabod”, which means “the glory has departed from Israel” (1Samuel 211) during her delivery. She was about to give when she gave the name to the boy.
When Israel left Egypt, they left physically and symbolically with God’s glory, which later rested on the Ark of the Covenant at the tent of meeting on the tabernacle. (Exodus 40 34-35) The glory distinguishes Israel from any other nation. It also signifies God’s reign and rule manifesting among His people.
It was an assurance of the abiding presence of God that guarantees their safety, protection, provision and victory. Now that the ark has been captured by Israel, the glory of God is lost.
Today’s lesson starkly reminded us of the devastating consequences of sin and disobedience. Eli’s failure to train his sons well and in the way of the Lord and the calamity that befell his house illustrate the severe repercussions behind neglect of God’s commands.
We should now learn that it is important to live in obedience and maintain a close relationship with God to ensure His continued presence and blessings in our lives. Christian leaders must uphold their responsibilities diligently in order to influence our communities positively. Read the similar post on this page.
Prayer Points
1. Ask the Lord to help you regain spiritual strength.
2. Pray for the restoration of those who have strayed away from God’s presence.
