Jacob Chanikuzhy

Which is the most disturbing sound in the world? Many people think that the most disturbing sound is the sound that comes from the alarm clock in the morning. Every morning they regret that they have not slept enough. However, there are also people who jump out of their bed as if from a hot pan as soon as they hear the alarm.  They may be super motivated people. They are religiously faithful to their commitments and programs. Young Samuel was a brilliant example of one’s commitment to the duty (1 Samuel 3).

One day Samuel was sleeping in the temple of the Lord. He heard someone calling his name. Although sound asleep he jumped out of his bed to respond to the call. As he thought it was Eli the High Priest who called him, he went to him to know what he wanted. But Eli told him that he did not call him. It occurred thrice in the middle of the night. Nevertheless, each time Samuel got up and went to the High Priest. After the first instance Samuel could have ignored the second and third call. But he promptly answered the call even though the calls came to him at a most inconvenient time. His prompt response to the call shows his worthiness to be a prophet. A prophet is one who is willing to pay the price for carrying out his duty. He is ready to forgo his comforts, pleasures  and gains to be faithful to his ministry.

It is curious to note that although God called Samuel three times he failed to recognize that it was the Lord who called him. It was Eli who discerned it  and guided Samuel to respond to God. A true prophet is never hesitant to receive insights from the those who are more experienced.

God entrusted Samuel with a difficult job. He was chosen by God to inform God’s judgement against the High Priest. Eli was the supreme priest in the temple of Shiloh and Samuel was just a young apprentice. There is no comparison between Eli, the mentor and Samuel, the mentee. Still God chose young Samuel to carry his word to Eli, the old high priest. The readers of this story are given here the insight that God does not always necessarily speak through his official channels; God can also reveal his will through his humble servants, the ordinary people.

The fact that Samuel was willing to reveal the plan of God to Eli fills us with great admiration for him. Eli was supreme religious head of the Israelites adorned with power and glory. Still Samuel did not shy away from the God-given task pondering about the high states of Eli. Samuel communicated to Eli the harsh and painful judgement God had made against him. Samuel again exemplifies the prophetic courage to speak the truth in the face of the mightiest in the society.

How Eli took the turn of events is also remarkable. He felt ignored by God and even humiliated. He realized that God did not want to talk to him directly. He knew that Samuel was now the new favourate of God. Still he did not frown at God. Rather he humbly submitted to God’s decision. God punished Eli not because of any of the atrocities Eli himself committed. Eli’s soul fault was that he did not control his sons. Still Eli did not try to justify himself before the Lord.

The Scripture mentions that “the lamp of God had not yet gone out.” It has a symbolic meaning. Although the sons of Eli thoroughly abused and desecrated the worship practices, and the existing religious system was deplorably corrupt, God did not allow the light of his presence leave his people. He kept it burning through the ministry of a new prophet – Samuel. It gives the believers of all time the hope that God will raise his prophets in time to announce the wrath of God against the priesthood whenever it degenerates. God’s highhanded intervention against the house of Eli by obliterating the right of priesthood from it issues the potent warning that no matter how great one’s priestly state is, God will not hesitate to punish those who abuse it.